rosacea & acne vulgaris readers emails

 

Hey webmaster, would be glad if you didn't reply to this terminal. I am not using a private computer and would not wish others to know I have sent an mail to your website. (Says so much about an embarrassed acne vulgaris sufferer
doesn't it?)

Anyway, have had gorgeous skin in my early youth (12-14). Until one day at he age of 15, a first beauty mark as my friends called it appeared. Have become resident of zitland ever since. Never sought treatment from adermatologist till I was twenty (stupid shit). Teenagers out there, if you
have some form of savings, go to a dermatologist on your own. I worked nights in a club for my 'treatment'. My parents never let me have the money and I have begrudged them since, I know it seems mad to say something like
that, but man if you can see the pits on my face... hey people, early treatment can PREVENT zits ok. Don't listen to parents who say "you'll grow out of it", you'll only grow more of it, bad joke but it's true. Anyway, I started with Tetracycline (for two courses) and is now on Tretinoin (topical
retin-a) and Clindamycin. Am using Dermatologique wash for the face. Guess what, was a success story for the whole of six months. Now am back to where I started. Cysts again, comedones again, depressed, pissed, unsociable all
over again. Friends ask why I always walk with my face down to the ground, and they attribute that to my character, but I've never been brave enough to own up to un-acne vulgarisd friends that I've had it with my zits, I can never bring my face to some stranger and smile a real smile. I am bitter about it, and I try to be happy with other things, but to be honest, every look in the mirror just kills me. And to be honest, the world still favours those who look more winsome. Why don't I have a date??? If you don't have acne vulgaris you'll never understand. Anyway, I will soon go to another dermatologist,
this one seems to think zits are a cosmetic problem at the end of the day.
Well, f#@! him. Though I've been prescribed hydrocortisone recently, it
seems to have worsened my already worsened condition. And I've been told to
just wash more often with the 'sebum controle' wash, which works for about an hour. So how is anyone supposed to have a normal life with the light constantly bouncing off his cheeks, forehead, nose? I can't be washing my face every three hours, it's ridiculous. I am managing fine bec. I am still in school with a flexible timetable, but soon I'll be working and then what, visit the office toilet regular enough to have people ask why??? Am just terribly unfortunate I guess. But to those out there,

SEEK TREATMENT EARLY and FIND the RIGHT DERMATOLOGIST who

UNDERSTANDS that
BOYS DO CRY over acne vulgaris.

Anyway, I am no longer 'sane' when it comes to zits, don't get me started again...just wish me luck and good luck to fellow sufferers. :) Okay, forced smile.

 

It would be crass of me to try and add anything to the above – a brilliantly brave email that says it all – please stay in touch. kcn.

 

 

Hi kcn

My wife was recently diagnosed with rosacea and although the initial treatment improved it, it is now re-occurring. I find your website quite an amazing place but although there is a wealth of material there, it would be easier to refer to a booklet which if it were logically divided would make a great reference.

I for one would be prepared to pay a reasonable amount (say £10-£20) for a good reference book that covered eveything from diagnosis to prevention to treatments (including alternative medicine).

I will point my wife in the direction of the Readers' emails page even if only to reassure her that she is not alone.

Keep up the good work.

Ian

ps is there a registered rosacea charity and how much research is being done?

Hi Ian

great to hear off you. America has the rosacea Society that donates monies for research and has info on their site and the UK has the acne vulgaris Support Group (the ASG) both excellent organisations. I keep meaning to provide links to them. Thank you for your input about the book and yes it is important for sufferers to know they are not "strange or weird" as rosacea symptoms can sometimes make us feel.best wishes

kcn.

 

Dear Webmaster,
Thank you for taking the time for reading my story! Yes, it's true, good and bad can become of your skin, and alot of times you just can't do anything but try to help yourself as best as you can and learn to deal with it.
I'm thrilled that there are people out there, like you, who care enough to listen to othersand their troubles and triumphs. It is comforting to know there is someone out there who you can relate to and who knows what you are going through. Hypnotherapy? Hmm just the name sounds relaxing! Yes, I'll look into that, thank you for suggesting it to me. If it can help with the stress, then thats wonderful!
Well, thank you again, and Take care of yourself as well,
~Nicole

Just a quick note Nicole if you think hypnotherapy sounds good - you could try our relaxation tape. And thank you for your very nice reply too!
best wishes
kcn.

 

 

 

 

Hi kids
I've had acne vulgaris since age 12 and I am now 48. I have seen probably 9 or 10 different dermatologist along the way. I was originally diagnosed with severe cystic acne vulgaris. Accutane was a god send for me. I recommend it for all who have moderate to severe acne vulgaris and have not tried it. My last course of Accutane was at age 35. I do, however, continue to have minor break-outs, and yes, rosacea. The topical lotion Sulfacet has been the most effective(it is messy). I do want to tell you all about an alternative treatment that I've observed to be very effective. The treatment is MSM Methylsulfo nylmethane). I've been using it for about three weeks. I've been taking about 1000 mg once a day. I'm female and weigh 140lbs. You can buy it at any healthfood store. I have noticed significant improvement. I've noticed
that many of the topical treatments for rosacea are some type of a sulfur based compound. Has anyone heard of any research being done regarding MSM or any other sulfur products taken internally as a treatment for rosacea???
In this world that focuses on appearance it is very hard to live a "normal" life with this type of disease - But that is the challenge. Life is a gift. Don't waste your life complaining about the gifts that God has given you. Yes, acne vulgaris is a gift. Don't laugh - there is a lesson in everything good and bad. So don't lose heart all you old and new sufferers.
The acne vulgaris Queen

Hi thank you very much for your email, it will be of great interest to our readers. Will you keep us posted on your treatment? And your quite right we can get caught up in our own obsessions and not realise the good things we have in life.
best wishes and take care
kcn.

 

 

 

Hi My name is Sandy. I'm a rosacea sufferer, as well as both of my adult daughters. I can't seem to get into your info. I'm barely computer literate, so I'm quite sure it's operator error. when I press control D, nothing happens. I'm looking for product information. Such as facial cleaners & make up. Hope you can help. Thanks

 

Hi Sandy

thank you for writing. I've just found some makeup that is excellent and I hope to be offering it for sale on the site shortly. When you press control and d it should add our address to your favourites or bookmarks - you probably will not get any indication of that when you do it but if you click on favourites or bookmarks you should see www.acne vulgaris-rosacea.co.uk in your list. I hope you will be a regular readers. The site has been off for a day due to trouble with the hosting companies servers.

best wishes and take care

kcn.

Hello,

I developed a rash on the skin in between my cheeks and nose approx. 18 months ago which came and went and I treated it unwisely withhydrocortisone cream. The rash then became worse after a time and more prolonged before
it went down. I then went to my GP who prescribed metrocream. This made the rash sorer and more inflamed. I was then prescribed Rosex, a metrocream alternative which resulted in the same outcome. The GP then tried a 2month
course of Minocin MR. I can only describe the rash as now having taken up permanent residency on my face and people are now really noticing it. Itis not a flush however and it is not quite on my cheeks. The GP, who is well intentioned but limited in his knowledge has since prescribedoxytetracyline
and referred me to a dermatologist. I am awaiting the appointment. Hedoes not wish to change his diagnosis as he thinks the rash does indeed looklike rosacea, but he does think I am very young for it to have developed (28FYI).
I have noticed, before it became permanent, that it was always worseafter I consumed garlic. I now, as much as any 28 year old can, avoid alchohol, spicy food and caffeine drinks. In your experience does my conditionsound like rosacea to you or a food allergy?

Prior to my appointment with the dermatologist, I have some important job interviews coming up and I am keen to get rid of this redness. I enquired with my GP about an homeopath, but he could not recommend one. I live in the North west of England and would like to know if you can recommend anyone
in the locality. ( I have a thing about these people potentially being quacks and therefore would prefer someone recommended.)

Thanks for this very useful website - it is good to know that rosacea is quite common and I am not on my own with it
Many thanks
Steve

Dear Steve
Hi ya mate. The irritation you had may have been from the steroid cream.Also when applying metronidazole creams and gels they can like any drug be overdosed - a thin film is all that is usually recommended. I know itsounds poncy, ponsy (oh you know what I mean) but for your interviews try
some make up - I have been trying some lately using myself as a test case to see which aggravates rosacea and which does not and I've come across a great one I'm going to sell from the site - it lessens the redness just enough and
noone knows you've got it on - which is important to us blokes - as I say it does sound effeminate but it is not. If someone where to comment explain you have a skin condition and say that is treatment for it. I'm 6ft 15stone and a brown belt at Karate and I'm using it!! I don’t have any problem eating garlic but when preparing it keep your hands away from your face, that goes for onions, chilis etc.

best wishes and take care
kcn.

 

 

Hi,

I won't recount the entire history of my case (unless you really want me to) - but cut to the end, and what I have learnt. I was actually in London for a couple of weeks holiday, and went to see a doctor on Harley Street, who while a conventional practitioner, also used acupunture and homeopathy. He is also published, and has an excellent
book out which explains that it is the whole person who needs to be taken into account when diagnosing any disease, and not just the visible symptons. Anyway, after kindly listening to my sad little story, he did a two second
acupnture test, and told me my problem was my over-stressed liver. Since then, I have been to a naturpath, and after a few short months, a change in diet, a few herbal tonics (to help my liver funtion rise from less than 25% capability, to finsih at 99.9%), and a natural cream to help
repair my skin (my rosacea only affected my chin), my rosacea has all but disappeared

I have also learnt that each blood type has its own diet that should be followed to a certain extent, and there is a very good book that outlines the highly beneficial, neutral, and foods that should be avoided for each type.

Also the contraceptive pill Diane 25 may have been stressing my liver, and when I thought about it later, I did recall the initial rash that beganall this, appeared soon after starting this particular pill.
There are, I know, alot of us whose liver funtions are well below what they need to be in order to keep the other organs (pancreas, kidney, etc) funtioning at their correct levels.

My skin appears to be the weakest part of my body, so when my organs were not doing their job properly, the symptons came out as a rash – or rosacea.

if this is of any use, or if you would like to know more, please let me know.

I know how awful it feels to have a doctor sit there calmly, and tell you that the ugly, angry red rash on your face is just something you are going to have to learn to live with.
I'd like people to know that there is another way to go, without damaging their skin and bodies with harsh antibiotics and steroid creams.
I'd just like to finish by saying I am not a doctor, naturpath, or anykind of medical professional. I am just a 32 year old, who on being told rosacea just happens to some people my age, decided to look beyond conventional medicine for another answer to my disease.

I only hope my experience might help others.

Thank you,

Regards,
Sharon

Dear Sharon thank you for your very genuine email - I am sure it will be of great interest and thought provoking for my readers.
best wishes and take care
kcn.

 

 

 

Hi,

I was on accutane for six months two years ago. My facial acne vulgaris really clear up but I started losing hair and it has not returned to its original thickness. Not bald by any stretch of the imagination but it is disturbing. Has anyone else spoke on the hair loss thing and what was their experience.

 

Hi

We shall see what other readers say. Have a look at the drug info page it accesses an excellent medical site, they could have more info.

best wishes and take care.

kcn.

Dear Dr.

I'm very glad to see your detailed instruction about acne vulgaris, and thanks for leting us have the opportunity to ask some info about acne vulgaris.

I am a beautiful Chinese woman, now live in America. I have no any problem with my face before I was 30 years old, but after that age, have the problem of pimple in my face. In the past several years, it was little and more like inflamation in the face, but in the recent one more years(I am 36 now), nearly every month before period there are one to two pimples, and leave pigment after that, this make me really annoy.

The only reason I can imagine maybe stress and anxiety, besides this, can you tell me other reasons possible? Could you please give me a prescription on this?
very truly yours
Sici

Hi thank you for your email and kind comments. I am not a doctor and not qualified in medicine in any way - I am just a fellow sufferer trying to offer the help and support I can. You will need to see a qualified Doctor and see if your condition is rosacea or acne vulgaris. Ladies periods vary hormonal balances in their bodies making the skin more prone to spots at times of the month. Your doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide (see acne vulgaris treatments page) for acne vulgaris or oral antibiotics and metronidazole cream for rosacea (see rosacea treatments page). Let me know how you get on at the Doctors?
take care and best wishes
kcn.

 

I was really glad to find your site. I was diagnosesd with roseacea last week and I have been on the internet ever since reading up on this.

I am 34 years old and I have had what you would call "perfect, flawless" skin up until now. I never had to wear any foundation I just applied a bit of powder to my face and was ready for my day. And now..... I am freaking out with all this red stuff under my nose and on the sides of my lips and
under my chin. I feel like I look like a freak. My Dr. gave me an oral antibotic and this topical liquid - Clindamycin. I have been using the medications now for 3 days and my face is on fire when I apply the liquid. I guess that is normal... I dont know... I would really appreciate any feedback you can
give me...

Dewanna

Hi Dewanna
Yes don't panic things will improve!!! it is frightening when rosacea or acne vulgaris first hits you - don't I know it! Read up on my site and read the emails and replies I have given - you should be able to build your own picture of what rosacea is and what it means to you from the site and then you will be able to control it - don't worry - and I'm always here - when
I'm not at work that is - if you want to talk. Keep in touch.
take care and best wishes
kcn.

 

 

My Dr. says I have acne vulgaris rosacea. I had these bumps that come up on my face that itch real bad. After the bumps go away I get terrible dry patches.I don't have the redness or the blushed look to my face. The Dr. has put me on an antibiotic which has helped the acne vulgaris but not the itchy bumps that come up. And nothing I try seems to help the dry skin. Any suggestions.
Teri

Hi try a moisturiser with aloe vera and vitamin e in I hope to source one soon and sell it from the site. Make sure it is natural and has no artificial fragrances oils like lanolin etc in. Also ask your Doctor for metronidazole cream it could help.
best wishes and take care.
kcn.

 

Great idea! (rosacea booklet kcn.)

I think there is a lot of confusion surrounding rosacea, especially the fact that traditional skin remedies for acne vulgaris are actually no good for rosacea - I didn't realise this for some time and I suffer from it! Also pinpointing the symptoms and how they differ from acne vulgaris - sometimes I am not sure if I have both! Good luck with it!

Sam

Hi Sam
yes unfortunately having both IS a possibility. Thanks for writing.
best wishes and take care.
kcn.

 

 

thanks for replying to me ... 1st of all i wanted to know so is there total any cure for the disease??
2nd isnt rosacea only happen to people age from 30+?? i am only 23.??? thanks for all your help

 

 

Hi
rosacea can affect any age, all this over 30 and only in women is incorrect.
Spontaneous remission is always possible and rosacea does not necessarily get worse over time so don't panic. Most of us just plod along controlling it though.
take care
kcn.

I have a large red nose and would like to know if having plastic surgery to reduce the size would also reduce the redness?
Can you help?

Regards,

John

 

 

hi their

i have rosacea and have had it for about 5 years, it wasn't to bad for awhile but this last year has been awful, you dont want to go outside or do anything, about two mouths ago

it was so bad i went back to the doctor and said their must be something you can do for this so he looked in some books and said you seem to tolerate sulfer, so lets try this it's called sulfacet-r, i used it for about a week and saw some great results, another thing about the same time i was having trouble with my blood pressure, the doctor started me on blood medication, anyway blood pressure is down and face is clear, and has been for about 3 weeks praise GOD, you no all the things i was useing metro jel- creams it got where nothing seemed to work, even moisturizers anything i put on my face seamed to irritate my skin it was terrible, any way maybe this will help someone, my name is jim and im a retired truck driver, love to all jim

 

Hi Jim

thank you very much for your email. You are quite right - I keep on about metonidazole as it is the prefered treatment but many have had good results with sulfacet - I shall mention it more often. Good luck in the future and let me know how you get on.

best wishes and take care.

kcn.

Dear webmaster,

Just wondering if you have heard of a treatment for rosacea called "photofacial". You can get info at USA website, "www.photofacial.com". I'm considering treatment but don't know if it's a scam or not. Would like your opinion.
Gerry

Hi Gerry
I have no first hand experience of it and funny they have written to me this week also. The company that produces light boxes that have been shown to be as effective in treating acne vulgaris as benzoyl peroxide are now testing their
light boxes on rosacea sufferers and I look forward to the results - it's not the same thing as photofacials treatment but all I can do is see if other readers reply with advice. Photofacial.com do make the point that treatments are best left to medical professionals and not beauty consultants, which I agree with.best wishes and take care.kcn..