Many people like to feel that their appearance emits a certain healthy "glow." For those suffering with rosacea, that healthy glow has been replaced with redness and inflammation. Rosacea causes a red, rash-like appearance and inflammation on the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. It can also cause burning and soreness in and around the eyes. The cause of rosacea continues to be debated. There are certainly some things that have been linked to rosacea as predisposing factors. This would include fair-skinned races, especially those with excessive sun exposure, people prone to blushing from an early age, infections and immune system stresses. A certain skin mite, the Demodex folliculorum, which normally lives on the surface of the skin, is found in higher amounts among rosacea patients
The National Rosacea Society estimates that 14 million Americans have rosacea, although the majority of these individuals go untreated. Rosacea is sometimes referred to as adult acne since it more commonly surfaces after age 30 and it can look like a teenage outbreak of pimples. It affects three times as many women as men, but men tend to have worse symptoms once they do have it. Rosacea can also look like broken blood vessels in a spider-web type of pattern. In addition to the potential predisposing causes listed above, certain foods and/or environment situations may trigger flare-ups in those who know they have rosacea.
In a survey of over one thousand rosacea patients, the following factors triggered symptoms of rosacea in greater than fifty percent of those surveyed: sun exposure (81%), emotional stress (79%), hot weather (75%), wind (57%), heavy exercise (56%), alcohol consumption (52%), hot baths (51%). Additional factors that contributed to rosacea flare ups (in less than 50% of those surveyed) include: cold weather, humidity, indoor heat, certain skin-care products and cosmetics, heated beverages, medications, medical conditions, certain fruits, marinated meats, certain vegetables, dairy products. More specifically, the foods that tend to trigger rosacea flare ups include: liver, yogurt, sour cream, cheese (except cottage cheese), chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract, vinegar, eggplant, avocados, spinach, lima & navy beans, citrus fruits, bananas, plums, raisins, figs, spicy and hot foods, foods high in histamine. Hot drinks including coffee, tea, hot cider and hot chocolate; alcohol (especially red wine beer, bourbon, gin, vodka and champagne); emotional stress and/or anxiety – these too may contribute to a rosacea flare up. (Source: National Rosacea Society)
April has been designated Rosacea Awareness Month by the National Rosacea Society. Rosacea tends to get worse if left untreated, so if you suspect that you or a loved one may have rosacea, it is important to seek guidance and treatment from your physician – or ask for a referral to a dermatologist. This is especially important to obtain a correct diagnosis. Some individuals may benefit from medication. Antibiotics and/or antiparasitic medications are the most commonly prescribed medications for rosacea. Topical creams are often prescribed. Topical steroid medication will worsen symptoms of rosacea. One of the best courses of action is to be proactive and avoid the known triggers!
An integrative approach to treating rosacea includes taking a quality multivitamin/mineral combination and antioxidant supplement. Some of the key nutrients to consider adding on top of this includes B complex vitamins (B vitamin deficiency has occasionally been noted in those with rosacea), zinc (helps with skin healing), essential fatty acids (Flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil or borage oil), and vitamin C, which acts as a powerful antioxidant for the skin and is important for blood vessels, capillaries and connective tissue. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) was shown in one study to improve the skin's resistance to the Dermodex follicularum skin mite. Vitamin B12 helps with skin regeneration and repair. A study published in 2001 showed that when 48 adult females with mild-to-moderate rosacea used a new moisturizer product, eighty percent showed improvement of their rosacea condition after two weeks and 96 showed improvement by four weeks. The product used was called Olay Total Effects Moisturizer. It contains vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and vitamin E.
A few small clinical studies have shown that some rosacea patients have low stomach acid and can benefit from supplementing HCl. You can try supplementing with meals starting with one tablet per meal and increasing to tolerance. This means that you don't want to feel a burning (heartburn-like) sensation in your stomach after taking them, so cut back on your dose if you reach this point. Pancreatic enzymes may also be helpful. A reasonable place to start is with 2 tablets with each meal. Again, be sure to consult your physician prior to embarking on a new supplement program.
Finally, use common sense. It is important for everyone to wear sunscreen, but especially those with rosacea (since sun aggravates the condition). Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Consider meditation as a form of stress relief.
