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The emails we get at Acne-Rosacea.co.uk are sent by genuine people with an interest in the subject matter of this site. The correspondence expresses their opinion and is beyond my control.

I have had rosacea building up over the years most likely from sun damage.

The beauty therapist said that's what it was. I could put up with it as
only on my cheeks but now I have developed the acne too. I am going
through menopause.
I have been reading people's letters about how great the aloe vera
treatment has been.
I would like you to recommend which products you think would be most
helpful for me.
Thanks for your help
Kate

Hi Kate my personal opinion is as follows (and remember I'm not a Doctor):

menopause can be a trigger for Rosacea, as hormonal changes and the
accompanying hot flushes trigger flare ups (a general worsening of
symptoms), perhaps you could ask your Doctor about any medications to
address this.

For Rosacea your Doctor may prescribe antibiotics either oral or topical, there are also light and laser treatments although these can run into hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

From our products I would try the new CALMIN regimen and have a look at the
list of trigger factors I send with it that I find trigger my rosacea,
avoidance of your major triggers may help your skin. Skincare products are
not cure's for Rosacea (no matter what the foreign websites say), but my
customers report help with spots, flakiness, itching, redness,
cleansing of impurities without irritation etc and protective help from some further
triggers.

Sunlight may be a trigger and can certainly damage your skin but I also
subscribe to the view that you need a predetermined genetic predisposition
to Rosacea and triggers just make what is always there flare up into more
noticable symptoms.

If I can help further please let me know. William

Hey wm,

It's L again. I'm still taking the tetracycline but my rosacea just gets worse everyday. We just got back in school again from christmas break and I realize now that I took for granted the 3 weeks away from most anything that could aggravate my rosacea and anyone who could see it. It takes me about an hour to get to school and I swim after school to so my day away from the perfectly blind walls of my house turns out to be much to long. My rosacea is aggravated by the intense workout and my face is dried by the chlorine so I walk out feeling like a sundried tomatoe. It sounds funny, and it obviously seems funny to a lot of people at school but it's actually very physically (not to mention emotionaly) painful. I feel torn because everything that I've read always says to avoid hard workouts, but I can't give up swimming and the team. I guess that no matter how embarassing it is I'll just have to do my best to ignore it. It's getting more prickly and itchy all the time and it's starting to feel more like a permanent sunburn rather than just frequent heated blushes. It's realy hard to have rosacea as a teen, as you must know, because no body my age realy knows that it's a disease so they just think it's some funny fluke, which means that their not afraid to talk about it right in front of your ever reddening face. I suppose if they just understood what it was about then they would be more sensitive, but I've tried explaining and they just can't understand that it's realy just a tough skin disease like acne. The sad thing is that last summer I probably wouldn't have understood it either even if some sufferer tried to explain. I hope people will someday mature enough to atleast be semi-sensitive. I can't wait, because sometimes i can almost force myself to forget it until some helpful onlooker makes sure that I know the red condition of my face (as if I'd never looked in a mirror.) Am I right in thinking that you had rosacea as a young teen? If so, what treatments did you find effective at that "time of change"?, and - How did you deal with friends, girls etc.... while you had rosacea? Sorry for the length. You know, I realy appreciate all you've done for me.

Thanks a lot, l.

Hi L great to hear off you again. I believe I started with Rosacea at about 15 although it's hard to tell as I also had bad acne then. Your email is very brave and inspiring in fact I'm going to put it on the readers emails (anonymously) now. I'm afraid I didn't do as well as you at that age, my family found it difficult to talk about things and it wasn't until I started this website a few years ago that I became able to talk about the condition.

You are so right in what you say about the insensitivity and ignorance of those that ridicule. Rosacea is a disease and we deserve respect for dealing with this underated, underdiagnosed and extremely difficult condition that destroys lives and leaves emotional scars for life.

We have a new CALMIN Environmental Protective Cream now, it has a number of ingredients which include a micronised form of Zinc Oxide bonded to a protective silicone as well as the main ingredient aloe vera, borage seed oil, vitamin e, blackcurrant seed oil, high in antioxicants two U.V. filters etc etc, you may wish to try the CALMIN EPC cream and see if it helps as a barrier to the swimming pool water, if you do Please let me know how you get on with it. I do find that applying it prior to exercise does help me and I find it helps combat the cold winds and icy rain when walking daily in all weathers (not that that's exactly an extreme workout such as yours of course, but I do lift a few weights which I use'd to find was a trigger).

best wishes and take care and I wish you all the best for the New Year

William.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hope you can help me as I really don't know where to turn. I have been diagnosed with Rosacea after what appears to be a "reaction" to chinese medicine I took 12 months ago. It has changed my life. I am on antibiotics twice a day, my skin on my face looks like dandruff. I can't wear black as the flakes go on my clothes. I seem to flush really easily. I have tried every cream the experts recommend to no avail. Aqueous Creme BP seems to stop me going red but makes my skin critically dry, E45 seems to soften it but makes it red and I have tried everything else you can name! Please, please - any advice is welcome. I no longer go out, socialise. I sing in a band and haven't done a gig for months as I have lost so much confidence in my appearance. I won "bride of the year" 18 months ago and now look back at my wedding photos longing to look normal again. I feel like everyone is staring at me as if it's my fault I look like this.

I have driven myself mad trying to record everything I eat, drink, wash with, wear, go etc. It's become an obsession. I can't wear makeup as it just cracks and flakes on my face. It's all I think about 24 hours every day and the itching and burning keeps me awake.

The people who made comments on your website have given me hope. I don't know anyone else who has this and it's a comfort to know I am not alone. I had very bad eczema when I was younger but it was never on my face and I wonder if it is also this as well as the rocacea. I've even considered surgery as I hear there is an op you can have to stop facial blushing.

I am writing this in work in tears as a colleague has just asked me if I have "been in the sun" and told me I look really red. It's January!

Any help or advice is very much appreciated as I am at my whit's end.

Kind Regards

J

Hi J I understand exactly how you feel - stick in there and don't give up - you will get control of your condition and it will improve!!!

I don't know if your chinese medicine was in tablet form or a topical cream but some chinese medicines can have steroid type ingredients that can cause flare ups in rosacea patients.

As you avoid the main triggers you should find your skin calms over the weeks and eventually it becomes less susceptable to subsequent triggers with less severe flare ups.

Do see your Doctor show him/her your email, you could well have eczema as well as a rosacea flare up and remember stress is a potent factor in both conditions and anxiety and depression should be addressed by a professional.

For blushing ask your Doctor about the drug Clonidine, it may make you tired and affect driving I find, but it could help.

You may wish to try our two new CALMIN products (an Ultra Mild Cleanser that can either be used with cotton wool to remove impurities and irritants from the skin for those people who cannot

even tolerate water, or used as a rinse off product - and - an Environmental Protective Cream (EPC) that may actually help reduce the temperature on the skin, it also soothes and moisturises with ingredients such as aloe vera, borage oil, vitamin E, a U. V. filter, protective ingredients etc.)

Tell that guy in the office to &*&*&&**(*& From me!!

I have suffered serious depression myself with the condition, I thought.. I new at one point that things would never get better and life wasn't worth living, I was so wrong, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but never give up, things will get better.

I turned down the surgery your talking about (the ETS operation) as the side effects can be debilitating.

Remember I've been there

best wishes and take care

William.

Hi William,

Just wanted to say that I have been following your Aloe Vera regime for approx 6 weeks and have found the results excellent. My skin is less red and patchy, flushes less frequent and skin is generally smoother, oh and less oily.    I am 41 and have had Rosecea for approx 3 yrs, although  I've suffered with blushing all my life.

I've had the worst of my red veins treated with laser, although it took 4 sessions and approx �600.   This didn't treat the rest of the skin, I then had NLite which provided excellent results, but is too expensive to be a long- term solution (�250 per time), you have an initial series of 5 sessions and then top up 2/3 times per year but it does treat thread veins and open pores as well.

I've never been keen on taking long-term antibiotics and have been looking for an alternative remedy, I found your site and discovered Aloe Vera. I've stopped wearing so much makeup, am more confident with my life generally, am not too embarrassed to attend meetings with work. I do drink 2 litres of water per day and rarely drink caffeine.

I was interested to read that niacin is a trigger - how on earth did you discover this??

I think the final catalyst for my Rosecea was my 3rd pregnancy, I had a baby when I was 38 and I experienced 'extreme' flushing during pregnancy, also following the pregnancy I developed incredibly oily skin which resulted in mild acne, especially around my periods.   It feels as if my whole life has revolved around my skin condition, and how it affects me emotionally and in my day to day life, it certainly doesn't get any easier as you get older and have other aging skin problems to deal with. Amazingly people usually tell me how great I look for my age, perhaps I'm more paranoid than I need to be or perhaps I'm very skilled with makeup!    Anyway I'm waffling now.      The site's great, keep up the good work and let's hope the Aloe Vera brand continues to thrive.

TTFN Andrea

Hi Andrea

thank you so much for writing and your kind comments, I can't tell you how much I appreciate them! Your info on the lasers is extremely useful and I'll put them on the last readers emails page now. It took me two years to finally work out niacin was a trigger for me (at the time I had severe flare ups and the slightest thing set me off), then I got the internet and looked it up in a few hours doh!

Pregnancy is a very common trigger and incredibly difficult as women need to avoid all possible harm to the unborn, so I never recommend any of my products during pregnancy and always recommend checking with their Doctor before using anything, even topical OTC creams. You could ask your Doctor about the drug Clonidine for blushing/flushing I use it at the moment and find it helpful although it does make me tired and affect the ability to drive I find.
Thanks again for writing.

best wishes and take care

William.

Dear William,

I received the products that I ordered from you last week. This was my second order from you. This time I ordered two of the creams and one cleanser/wash. They are really fantastic! I really like the cream. It seems to diminish the redness and the red papules I sometimes get on my skin.

Since I was diagnosed with Rosacea two years ago and have been under several dermatologists care, the prescription medicine like Metrolotion would sometimes make my condition worse. However my current dermatologist who is very nice and understanding about this condition/disease says it's alright for me to try other creams, gels, etc. I mentioned using Aloe Vera Gel to him and he agreed that in some of his Rosacea patients it was one of the products they could use, as is in my case. I previously did order your Aloe Vera Gel but it now appears that some of the ingredients have changed. Could you please advise if this is correct?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm am allergic to the preservatives paraben and it appears the Aloe Gel has several parabens. My dermatologist also mentioned that a lot of Rosacea patients he has seen are also allergic to the paraben mix(as the medical term used.) I was actually skin tested for different ingredients and the paraben mix was the only one I was allergic too.

I am from Central Texas and with my very light skinned complexion the sun and humidity play havoc with my skin and just make my Rosacea worse. Your products however have really helped my skin and I want to Thank You for finding these for us Rosaceans.

Are you located in or near London? If not, where are you located and do you have a store or sell from your home. My sister and brother-in-law just love England (Great Britain) and they go there sometimes twice a year on vacation. They actually rent a car and drive from London to all the other towns in Great Britain, including Wales and Scotland. They could stop by your store and get some of products if you do indeed have a store.

Your products really do work. I have tried almost every other product out there, on the internet, in the stores, recommended by other Rosaceans, etc. and it seems like I always come back to yours.

Thank You again for having this informative site and selling these wonderful products.

Sincerely,

Hi William,

I feel compelled to write having sat from 11.30 - 1.00pm last night reading your site with tears running uncontrollably down my face. The relief in finding that so many other people have been through/are going through what I am is overwhelming.

Rosacea started with me this time last year because (as a homeopathic doctor told me) I was wrongly prescribed hydrocortisone cream for my face - and rosacea is a side effect. I have though always blushed easily and am pale skinned. I went to him after 4 full months of a bright red cheek which then started on the other side. I think it must have been a severe case as it oozed (as well as all the other tightness, redness, bumps, itchiness) which I haven't seen anyone else on your site mention. One day in work I vomited after lunch and I truly believe it was because I was so emotionally exhausted with the rosacea. The homeopathic doctor (who I saw the next day) prescribed a Dr Reckeweg remedy called R23 along with pulsatilla powders. Results were obvious after a week and shortly after it cleared completely. This was about Feb/March I think.

After being completely CLEAR all summer it has now reappeared with a VENGENCE - today my right cheek is actually swollen and I am drained after crying more in 1and half hrs last night than ever before. I am so down at the moment because the R23 which I've started again isn't working. I've written an e-mail to the homeopathic doctor to ask his opinion as I cannot afford yet another appointment (I was there 2/3 wks ago). I had vowed never to go back to the traditional doctor as I don't think they really care. However, at my wits end, I went last wk & basically told the nurse practitioner to give me Metrogel as she hadn't a clue. It's not working either.

.........

I'm sorry this is so long - it's been great just to put this all down in writing, I don't blame you if you drop off to sleep (or have already!)

I'm going to give the Allergenics range a go along with my Aloe Gel (find though that the gel does not work well with foundation over the top), fingers crossed (although I'm a sceptic at heart!)

I'm going to be a faithful reader and contributor to your site for the near future - I can't get over your dedication to this problem that so few people seem to know about or understand. I am determined that I am not going to bring my mum & boyfriend down with me this time - they went through a lot with me last time.

Thank you for just listening - William, it's obvious you are such a caring person and you should tell your wife she's very lucky.

Regards,

Sinead

(Please could you just print my first name on the site - I'm happy for you to use all or any bit of this mail)

Hi Sinead

I am so delighted that you find the site helpful, I understand exactly how you feel and the depths of despair and anguish, I've felt the same and a bad skin period can still bring me down. I became seriously depressed at one point, I too had swelling and itchiness etc, I beleiee that's from the lymphatic system under the skin becoming inflammed, I was so confused, upset and.. well you know all about it.

Today I have learnt what my main trigger factors are and my skin is much more under control. As you learn to avoid your triggers your skin calms down and becomes less susceptable to those unavoidable triggers. I've included the info I send with my products below, you may wish to try the allergenics products, but I have a new range CALMIN coming out around christmas that I would recommend you try. A good book is at www.drnase.com that explains a lot too.

I couldn't even talk about Rosacea and my symptoms with my family and friends or even my wife until, it all came to a crisis and later I started this site. Just to know that our reactions are normal, that we are not strange or different, that we just combat a difficult and underrated condition each and every day in the same way as so many others is a great relief.

Please take the very best of care and drop me a line anytime.

best wishes

William.

Hi,

My name is Jude, I'm 24 years old and have suffered with acne for 10 years or so. I just wanted to write and say how great it is that people have a forum like this where they can get things off their chest at the same time as getting ideas from others. The severity of my condition has varied greatly over the years - as have the treatments I've been prescribed (not to mention the emotions!) It is good to know that you are not alone, It's very hard to discuss acne, especially with someone who has never suffered with it. When I have been at my worst I have refused to even leave the house and it's difficult for others to understand why you feel like that, my family and friends were very supportive but I doubt they ever really understood where I was coming from. It can affect your life in so many ways, I ended up taking loads of time of work when things were bad because I simply couldn't face going in knowing full well I looked awful and everyone would be as aware of it as I was. I remember one sensitive colleague actually pointing it out once - as if I didn't know! The ignorance surrounding this condition still amazes me, it can be such a painful condition to live with in more ways than one and everything about it is unfair.

I have been through periods where my skin has been good but I've also been through times when it's been bloody awful and I can completely understand the feelings of those who say they have thought about suicide, to anyone else that may seem a tad dramatic but when you are at the stage where your every waking moment is spent stressing over your skin it's hardly surprising that some people can become very depressed. It's not just the fact that you have it, there's also all the disappointment you have to deal with when yet another treatment has failed to work. Once you're on that downward spiral of self loathing and anger it's very very hard to pull yourself back up again.

One thing I have noticed reading through others e-mails is that no two people ever seem to respond to a treatment in the same way, one will say a treatment has completely cleared their skin while another will say it has made them 10 times worse. It really is a case of trial and error when it comes to treatments. For me, I have to say the best prescription I have ever had was for Benzamycin (Benzoyl Peroxide & Erythromycin) which surprised me as I had tried both Erythromycin and Benzoyl Peroxide before (separately) with very little effect, I can only conclude that it is something to do with the way they both work in combination and seem to complement each other. ( I understand there is a production problem with this drug at the moment though, does anyone know when it will be back?)

I have begun to accept that my skin will probably always be prone to breakouts and it's just something I will have to live with to an extent, however it CAN be controlled and I am determined not to let it rule my life any longer, I have often felt as though I am watching the best years of my life pass me by, while I hide away at home. You must persevere, if you have a problem, see your doctor, don't bother wasting your time with those over the counter remedies - they are a complete waste of time (and money!)

Thanks again for this site, I think it's great and keep up the good work!

Yours

Jude.

hello

my name is s. and i am writing this e-mail to thank you for such a fantastic website you have, i am a fellow sufferer of rosacea, it is only a mild form but still very frustrating to cope with, having read the testimonials on your web page i was staggered to find so many people all with the same symptoms and feeling as myself. the withdrawal from social events because your face is having a bad day, the depression, the worry which makes the bloody thing worse! everything that i suffer from. my doctor has been of little help i recently went to see him having decided to find out what was wrong with my skin, having spent years thinking i just had really dry skin and buying every known face cream available for which none really helped, having completely changed my diet so i know eat plenty of fruit and fresh vegetables and also drinking 2 litres of water a day i started to read books on skin care and symptoms and there is was staring me in the face- rosacea, the relief that i felt having found what was wrong with me for immeasurable, armed with my new found knowledge i booked a appointment with my doctor full of confidence that i would finally be getting some help with my skin condition. the day that i went to see him, by chance i was having a good skin day, as i sat there and told him what i knew i had, the symptoms, the fact it comes and goes, how it makes me feel, the depression, the social withdrawal i was staggered to hear him say " no you haven't got that- its acne vulgaris! which looks completely different and i certainly aint very spotty, he said everyone get acne and there is nothing i can do or prescribe! i was shocked and so depressed to put it mildly, how can a doctor be so far off the mark? i started to question my own sanity, was it me just being vain? do i really need to look in a mirror every half hour to check my face? i was determined not to give up and having read a vitamin book started taking high does of vitamin A vitamin E, zinc and drinking 2 tablespoons of cold pressed flax seed oil- which is so horrible it makes you feel sick! but if it helps then im going to drink it.

that's when i started scouring the net and found your brilliant web site and as i said before was truly shocked by the many other sufferers, and also how they had been treated by their respected doctors.

i have been taking the vitamins and oil for 2 weeks now and also i have stopped drinking tea&coffee which is extremely difficult as i was having on average 8-9 mugs a day, i feel so tired at the moment but strangely my skin has improved quite a lot, but as a fellow sufferer how difficult is it to try and find what make you flare up! its a nightmare,

here are a few things i have found that makes mine worse

1. air conditioning

2.tea/coffee

3. salt

4.penults

5.citrus fruit- but im not sure

6.soap-any type

7.hot water on my face

8.alcohol! what a nightmare that one is!

9.emotional stress-the main cause of flare ups.

10.branston pickle! again im not sure with this one!

as you can see this condition has taken over my life, i have recently qualified as a personal fitness trainer and so am in the public eye all the time, and 3 weeks ago had to leave my job because the air con was making my skin a nightmare so much so that i wouldn't leave the house.i have also found that exercise makes it worse, when i sweat it stings my face, not all the time but some of the time.

i have just ordered your complete skin care range so hopefully it will also help, and i look forward to seeing what other things could flare my condition up.

sorry for going on a bit but as i'm sure you'll understand the relief when you find someone that knows the suffering.

keep up the good work

Hey - my names s - i wanna remain anonymous as to my second name - so please don't post my full name on your page. I'm 16 and i've had bad skin since i was about 12. - I took oxy-tetrocyclin for ages - didn't do anything. Took erythromicin and had beauty care treatment, and used like moisturiser and washes and stuff - it cleared up - was very happy. Then after a while it came back much worse - this time no longer on the forehead but on the cheeks (it came around the time i started shaving also). I started up the same treatment again - but this time didn't seem to do anything. Around this time my younger sister turned anorexic, and as you probably know this isn't a stomach disorder or anything - its a mental disorder. And she basically got obsessed not only with not eating to stay thin, but with not touching anything i'd touched or going anywhere near me cause i'm 'dirty' or 'infected' and she didn't want to get my 'infection.' And she made a huge case of this, and made a big deal of it if i ever touched anything - for example the piano (which is quite an important part of the house for me - cause my only full interest is music - which i'm kinda dedicated to - composing etc etc). Because of my sister's anorexia and the fact my parents needed to make her feel they were on her side, they often supported her - and i'd get screamed at for touching things she wanted to touch. This upset me a lot - and last christmas i lost so much self confidence that i spent the christmas holidays in my spare room with the curtains and door closed, thinking about and drawing pictures of cutting the skin off my face. My parents have realised i'm depressed and i've had counselling and stuff since. And the main problem i've had is that my mentality is not that i don't want to see what i look like - its that i don't like other ppl seeing what i look like - and my parents don't understand this. Inside the house i keep a towel over my lower face whenever someone else is in the room - and outside the house i wear makeup. I find this quite embarrasing - being a boy and all - and i'm constantly paranoid of people noticing and pointing it out - but i would rather be seen with makeup on than without - nevertheless i hate wearing it. I'm extremely self-concious - though i find the makeup has given me more confidence outside the house.

I'm now taking mynocin, and have been using a Retin A gel. Over the last half term (week long) holiday - i spent the time inside without makeup - and going to a sunbed everyday - i went to the sunbed hooded so noone could see me - my mum laughed about this as well - but i felt quite strongly that i would wear a hood. - My parents don't want me to take Roaccutane - cause one of the side effects is depression - and i'm already depressed. The only thing that will make me feel more relieved is just not having - and i keep hoping that just one night everything will clear up - but i know it won't.

The sunbeds did some gd - but now back into term again - its all coming back to pretty much how it was before.

I just want some advice of some sort - i don't really know what - i just feel kinda helpless, and completely out of control of everything.

S

Hi S I understand exactly how you feel - I was the same at your age, you are at the most difficult time of your life, an incredibly difficult and traumatic time, things will take time to improve, I made the mistake of thinking things would never get better I was wrong and they have to a point where I am very happy now. It is understandable how you feel, people only have to read the hundreds of emails I've replied to to see that hiding away, the embarresment, depression and isolation is very common with acne and rosacea sufferers as with other skin conditions. What you need to do is to see your Doctor again and show him/her your email to me, you should be referred to a specialist dermatologist and keep trying the different treatments that are available don't give up hope, I know how disapointing it is when one doesn't work but don't give up trying, you'll find one that helps in the end. I would show your email to your mum too, she should be aware that the emotional damage being done now may affect you for the rest of your life, in her concern for your sister she doesn't seem to have understood the severity of your condition, if you show her your email it will help her to understand. Of course I'll keep you full name private.

best wishes and take care friend

William

Ps have you seen my penpals page? you could send me a message for it.

I simply must tell you just how wonderful your products that come with the full regimentare! I first looked at your sight last year and since I saw that you were using Aloe Vera for rosacea--I tried a different brand of it that I bought at my drugstore. It helped some with the redness, but not enough. So I ordered your Aloe Vera, your cleanser and your moisturizer-----WOW! In just 4 days I could tell the difference --- the dry flaky patches were gone --- the redness is gone by 80%--- and now after a month ---my complexion is fantastic! I ordered some for my daughter who has acne and although she is not seeing the great results that I have she does admit that the moisturizer is the best that we have ever used. Can you tell me what other product she should order for her acne? She is getting pimples under the skin now.

Again--thank you! Please do not EVER go out of business!!!

Veronica

From the GREAT state of TEXAS!

Hi Veronica

well your email is what I run the site and business for!!! brilliant, it means so much to me that you have taken the time to let me know the good news. For your daughters acne I recommend seeing your Doctor and discussing a range of prescribed medications such as perhaps topical antibiotics depending on the severity, you might like to consider benzamycin a combination of benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin antibiotic, differin, or a low dose contraceptive pill such as Dianette (depending if applicable and age of course), my wife uses zineryt antibiotic topical for her acne and finds it very helpful. Prescribed medication may help alleviate any emotional and physical scarring (depending on severity).

thanks again

best wishes and take care

William.

i'm currenltly a college student living on campus...My acne mainly consists of acne cysts and pimples.

I went to the dermatologist a couple a weeks ago and she prescribed me 10% Benzoyl Prex. gel, Doxycline pills, and some kind of lotion for the night and a box of Clindamycin Phosphate Pledgets for working out. In the middle of the first week i was taking the medication i would have redness and increased breakouts. I think it was from the Ben. Prex. gel. so my doctor told imediately stop taking the cream and lotion. However she told me to stay on the pills (2 times a day) and keep using the pledgets esp b4 i go to bed. I also had an steroid injection for bad cysts that occured from the gel. Now it's been a week and half later and my cysts seems to be returning in the same place (although not as big at fast.) and i'm getting small breakout outs around my mouth and nose. I'm not sure what i should do. I'm gona to talk to my Derm. again soon and mention Dalacin T lotion or the Cleocin T-lotion and i hope that will work. Over the yrs i have breakouts but now that i'm living at college it seems more embarassing than ever. I used to try Proactive and i was satisfied with that but i stopped taking it. I got scars from yrs of breakouts and the most recent ones are depressing. It seem like most people don't want to look at you in the eyes or let me say the 'face' at points. When you have bad acne the word 'face' seems to take a whole new meaning and you seem to want to hide under a rock.

I just want to conclude that living with acne is like having a second job in which you have to stay focused with watching what you eat, when to put on medication, or just simply remembering to change the pillow cases a couple time a week. Above all is the hope and determination you need to see better days.

-college

I am 41 years old and have had acne since I was a teenager. In fact I thought that the only good thing about reaching 40 was the possibility that my skin would improve with maturity. How wrong could I be! I have tried antibiotics which worked until I stopped taking them. I tried Dianette but had side effects and had to discontinue treatment. I tried Skinoren cream with limited success. I have used endless problem skin products in my quest for spot free skin.I then discovered your web site and decided to give the Aloe Vera treatments a go. I have been using them for three weeks and I am so pleased with the results so far. My skin feels softer and the overall condition has improved. It is less oily and there are fewer erruptions. I will continue with these products forever if early results are anything to go by. Thankyou for a very helpful informative site. Acne has been the bane of my life and has often affected my confidence. I would recommend the treatments to anyone.

Subject: Please, please help me!!!

Hi...
Im 15 years old and I am positive that I have rosacea.
My cheeks are constantly red and the skin on my cheeks is very rough.
Im too embarrased to speak to anyone about it, and so I havn't seen a
doctor.
I blush very easily and whenever I excercise etc. my face goes blood red.
I
get teased alot when im at school.
I have a very low self confidence because of it and I dont have many
friends, and I dont go out much because Im too embarassed...
Please help me...
R

Hiya m8, yes there is help for you, don't worry. I know how you feel I was
exactly the same and couldn't talk about it with anyone until I started this
site, I couldn't discuss it with friends and family even my mum and dad, I
can only talk about it now after starting this site and I'm 42!!!! What I
want you to do is to get your Mum or Dad and show them my site
www.acne-rosacea.co.uk, I know how painful it is but it is essential that
you get understanding from your family, there is nothing to be embarrassed
about with them you have a vascular skin condition that requires
understanding like any other condition, illness or disability gets. Rosacea
and blushing is so underestimated and misunderstood, people including some
ignorant doctors think because it is just a skin condition it isn't
important but the effect it can and does have on our lives can be no less
devastating than serious illness. Show your Mum or Dad this email too.
Then I want your parent to take you to see your Doctor, show him/her this
email and remind the Doctor that depression and suicide are not uncommon
resulting from this skin condition (I get the emails!). Your doctor may
prescribe an antibiotic cream like metrocream and perhaps a drug clonidine
(that will depend on your age and health) which can help blushing, (but may
effect your sports activity discuss this with your doctor too). Many people
find help with my aloe vera skin care regimen too, so your Mum may want to
consider that too, if you just want to try one item choose the aloe vera
gel, I use it daily and wouldn't be without it. OH AND YOU'RE NOT TOO YOUNG
FOR ROSACEA, I STARTED AT YOUR AGE AND MANY OF MY CORRESPONDENTS ALSO.

Hey are you into computer games? my son and I play a great game on the
internet based on the pc game half-life it's called counter strike and you
can make friends online playing regularly on the same servers
(www.jolt.co.uk have good ones) you can get in teams and have competitions
it's great!

Please email again as soon as you can and let me know how you are getting
on. I've included some info I send with my aloe vera orders below too show
this to your mum and dad it will help too. Try to be brave and tell your
parents what you are going through, beleive me you will feel so much better
with understanding.

best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: meltdown

I just came across your site and i cannot believe how many people are affected by rosacea,i am not alone ! i type this e-mail hidden away in my room, i cannot go out and have fun(which i want to!). My cheeks are bright red and are so hot they could melt steel.Im fed up with people saying"look at his face,its so red" It crushes your confidence to a pulp. I am determined to beat this and not let it ruin my life! I will go back to my doctor and tell him how i feel(last time he did not do anything, he told me to come back for my blood pressure to be tested-BIG DEAL!) I'll let you know how i get on.

Thanks a lot!

Neil

Hi Neil good man! of course your not alone mate. Why not reply to some of the penpals or send me a message to put on - it really helps. Let me know what your doc says I've attached some info that I send with Aloe Vera skin care products I hope it is of help. Contact me anytime m8.

best wishes and take care

William.

WILLIAM (PEOPLE WITH SKIN PROBLEMS' GUARDIAN ANGEL :))
THANKS SO MUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH JUST GOT IN FROM A SHORT HOLIDAY. THE SKIN IS LOOKING MUCH BETTER. THANKS FOR CARING. U ARE VERY SWEET. GOD BLESS U. UR AN ANGEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WILL HAVE TO READ WHAT U WROTE AGAIN. I AM JUST ON MY WAY OUT THANKS AGAIN!U CERTAINLY HAVE CONTRIBUTED IN MAKING THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
XOXOXX
SHEILA

Subject: HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP

HIIII
I AM SURE U GET A 100 OF THESE A DAY....AT THE LEAST..:) THIS IS A GREAT SITE! THANK YOU! I AM 22 F FROM MONTREAL AND RECENTLY OUT OF NOWHERE I HAD AN ERUPTION OF PIMPLES.MY SKIN IS USUALLY CLEAR SO THIS CAME OF COURSE AS A VERY UNPLEASANT SURPRISE TO SAY THE LEAST. I AM VERY BEAUTIFUL AND MY WHOLE LIFE THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD AND THAT IS HOW I FELT. HOWEVER WITH THE NEW PIMPLES IN TOWN I AM STARTING TO FEEL UNATTRACTIVE AND AS A RESULT AM ON THE DEFENSIVE QUITE A BIT LATELY. I WENT TO THE BEST DERMATOLOGIST IN MONTREAL SUPPOSEDLY THE HEAD OF DERMATOLOGY. I WAS GIVEN DIFFERIN A MONTH AGO AND IT WORKED UNTIL, WELL UNTIL IT GOT COLD OUT. MY SKIN WAS ALMOST BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION WHEN THERE WAS A COLD DAY AND THEN NOT ONLY DID IT GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS BUT EVEN WORSE. I LIVE IN MONTREAL THE WINTERS ARE HORRIBLY COLD AND WINDY HERE. MORE DISCOMFORTING THAN THE PIMPLES IS THE THOUGHT THAT I HAVE LOST SOME FAITH IN THE SYSTEM. I DID MY OWN RESEARCH TO CONCLUDE WHAT HAD GONE WRONG.Do not use a sunlamp while treating your skin with Differin gel.
Weather extremes such as wind or cold may also be irritating.
I JUST DON'T GET IT..WHERE DOES THE TOP MD FOR DERMATOLOGY GET OFF PRESCRIBING SOMETHING LIKE DIFFERIN UNDER MONTREAL CONDITIONS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I HAVE A HARD TIME LOOKING IN THE MIRROR. IT TAKES 2 MONTHS TO GET ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND IN ANY CASE NOT LIKE I AM EXCITED FOR THAT OR ANYTHING AFTER THIS. I SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON THE DIFFERIN AS I HAD TO APPLY IT TO MY WHOLE FACE USED 2 BOTTLES FOR THISSSSSSSS HELP HELP WHAT DO I DO? ARE THERE ANY OTHER MEDICATIONS OUT THERE FOR MILD ACNE IN A 22 YEAR OLD CAUCASIAN WOMANNNNN!! THANKSSSS SO MUCH. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF I GOT AN ANSWER. I FEEL LIKE I AM LOSING MY MIND:(
TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESSSS U
SHEILA

Hi Sheila unfortunately your learning a hard lesson and that is You are the only one can, will and should take responsibility for your condition. Of course use Doctors whom you must see for diagnosis and prescribed medication but find out all you can yourself on the disease and become an expert as you are doing very well indeed! You may wish to consider a low dose contraceptive pill called Dianette which many women find helpful. Most topical treatments and some oral antibiotics will cause photosensitivity, it should say on the leaflet with the medication. Have a look at the tests mentioned on my acne pages and I've included some info below that I send with aloe vera skin care products as you have just started at this age rosacea has to be considered, the info may give you some insights as there are no tests as such for rosacea.

best wishes and take care

william.

Thank you for sending the Aloe Vera products so promptly - ordered over the Internet on Sunday, arrived on Tuesday.

I've started using them straightaway, and have given up tea and coffee - already I can see an improvement. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again.

Hey,

I am 16 years old, male. I have had acne since I was about 11 or 12, but I have kept it under control, and am now under going a second treatment of Accutane, and my acne is all but a thing of the past, and really isn't a problem anymore.

However... since long before I ever used Accutane, i have had a red face. Every time I ran around or exercised, my face got bright red. Now, in the past year or two, my face has gotten to a point where it's always red... it looks like I have a mild sunburn across my nose, and under my eyes. I have seen pictures of Rosacea sufferers, and I am 99% sure that I have this condition. When talking to people, I get very easily flushed, as when I am under emotional stress, school stress, or scared for some reason. My face gets very hot, and gets very red. This has lowered my self esteem more than anyone knows, and I have been very depressed about it. I am going to go see my dermatologist in a few weeks.

As far as 'trigger factors' concern me, being at school is the biggest factor. Especially now that I recognise that this is the problem, I always turn very red around people, especially in certain classes. I am full of hope now that I realize that i have an abnormal disorder, and that treatment is available.

Do you have any advice for me? What methods have worked best for other teenagers like myself? Should I stay away from antibiotics? Also, until I see a dermatologist, should I use Alo Vera gel (store bought, sunburn lotion, basically) on my face? This condition has noticable progressed... I am very depressed over this :c(

Thanks for you help,

Dawson

Hi Dawson well mate you sound very much like myself at that age unfortunately. You must tell your family doctor about the depression you feel which is totally understandable - just read all my emails! we all have or are the same my friend. Your behaviour and reactions/fears are all completely normal and we all feel the same, we have a physical condition that causes emotional problems of course it does! only a complete idiot would think it wouldn't. Ask your doctor about clonidine it's a drug that may help the blushing moxonidine is another. Look at the info I've included below and try to follow the advice about trigger factors. I would recommend you get my aloe vera gel and don't use sunburn lotion or any other varieties, you can get it from me, if you can't afford it let me know and I'll send you one anyway. You can also try metronidazole gel from your doctor and perhaps tetracycline (your doctor may say your too young to have rosacea, show him/her this email GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT DOC he is not too young). Learn about the condition Dawson read my site and all the readers emails, don't get depressed, we all have our cross to bear, be strong, brave and courageous it takes more guts to live a normal life with something that gets no understanding or support from those around (or much help from doctors) us than many other walks of life that are adored and revered by society. Go to your Doctor and give him this email he/she will take you much more seriously when they no the severity of the depression you are feeling - I became severly suicidal over my rosacea I made the mistake of thinking it would never get better that my life would never get better I was wrong totally wrong, I have to admit your time of life was shit for me but now things are great - hold on mate. An excellent book about rosacea is available at www.drnase.com <http://www.drnase.com it'll make a good present for christmas for you! and your family and friends can read it, getting understanding from them is very important. Finally how's about putting a message on my penpals page or just tell me and I'll put this message of yours on the penpals page, you'll then make friends from others in exactly the same position. And finally finally I am always here so if you get down email me again anytime ok? oh and always bear in mind other conditions that may coexist like sebohoic dermatitis.

cheers m8

best wishes and take care

William.

Hi again,

Well, after some more thought and research, I am now 99.9% sure (once again) that I most certainly have Rosacea. I found out that my Aunt has been diagnosed with it, and is currently undergoing a successful treatment (so far). Also, my other aunt has what appears to be rosacea, although she has not bee diagnosed.

I have read that hydrocortizone cream is used as a treatment of rosacea... this cream is available without a prescription from Longs or Rite Aid or any other drug store... I actually have some in my bathroom right now. It even contains alo vera. My friend successfully treated his rosacea with this cream (i think that maybe his was prescription, not sure). ...Would you advise me to use this cream, once a day, in the morning before school, just to do my best to cool things down a bit? I am on accutane, and from what I hear and am experiencing, it worsens the redness a great deal... I am planning to use the hydrocortizone cream every day from now until I am medicated for rosacea. Can you think of any reason why I shouldn't do this? I can't... lol, and frankly, I'm quite excited just knowing that I am actually doing something about the rosacea right now... and that I won't have to just sit around for 1 month waiting to see my dermatologist.

Thank you for your thoughts and help,

Dawson

DO NOT USE HYDROCORTISONE FOR ROSACEA - it was used in the past for rosacea and can make the skin appear better in the short term but over time it thins the skin and when you stop using it severe flareups are common. See your Doctor for prescribed medication ie antibiotics metronidazole cream etc and I sincerely recommend my aloe vera regimen which helps many many people.

best wishes and take care

William.

hi,
hope you can help.i had a glycolic facial yesterday and a horrrible
reaction. the doctor said it may be due to rosacea. i am worried now that i
have serious damage to my sin. also, have red lines etc. that were not there
before. do you think these will go away or not? need some concrete info and
if laser surgery will be needed, the cost etc. thanks so much ..

Hi thank you for writing. Unfortunately I can't give you concrete info! there are no tests for rosacea but observation of the symptoms. I have rosacea which makes my skin in common with many others hypersensitive to all kinds of stimuli - a glycolic facial is not suitable in my opinion (remember I am not medically qualified, just a fellow sufferer). If you have thread veins laser treatment may be necessary to reduce them but that is not your first course of action unless they are severe. You need to learn about rosacea and try the usual treatments and avoidance of trigger factors. I've included some info below that I send with my Aloe Vera Complete skin care Regimen that many find excellent for symptomatic relief of their rosacea symptoms, have a look at the trigger factors detailed and see if they apply to you it will give you an insight, I recommend trying my Aloe Vera regimen and your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Have a good read of my site at www.acne-rosacea.co.uk <http://www.acne-rosacea.co.uk for further info and the online store is at <http://www.acne-rosacea.co.uk/trolleyed/2/index.htm

best wishes and take care

William.

Subject: RE

HI,

MY NAME IS GABRIELLE AND I AM ONLY 12 YEARS OLD WITH VERY BAD ACNE. I HAVE
TRIED ABOUT 50 DIFFERENT FACE PRODUCTS AND NOT ONE OF THEM HAD WORKED. I
WAS WATCHING TV THE OTHER DAY AND CAME ACROSS A PRODUCT CALLED PROACTIV. I
HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE THAT IT WORKS GREAT AND SOME PEOPLE SAY IT DOESN'T.
I DON'T KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN WITH MY ACNE. I REALLY WANT TO GET RID OF
IT
BECAUSE FOR 2 YEARS ALL I HAVE HEARD ARE MEAN REMARKS ABOUT MY FACE IN
SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL. IF YOU KNOW A PRODUCT THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN WORKS
TWARD ACNE WILL YOU PLEASE TELL ME OR AT LEAST WRITE ME BACK. THANKS ALOT!
BUH BYE.

Hi Gabrielle I know exactly how you feel and so do hundreds of thousands of
others who will read your message. Please read all the replies on the
readers emails pages I have written they are addressed to you too. The best
course of action for you is to see a Doctor and not rely on over the counter
products. Your Doctor can assess and diagnose your condition and prescribe
a wide variety of medications. Please see my site for suggestions of
treatments, perhaps antibiotic creams, benzamycin is very popular and there
are many others, they can take time to show improvements and if you don't
have success after a few weeks, see your Doctor again and ask for another
treatment, but keep going back until you find something that helps, don't
give up and don't give in. I've included some info I send with skin care
products mainly for rosacea sufferers but I hope it is some help.
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: !!!!THANX!!!!

Hi,
I'am a 21 year old male, i have suffered many many years with a bright red face, especially my cheeks. I had virtually accepted that i was going to have to put up with this condition properly for the rest of my life. It has damaged my self-confidence and on the bad days I became very depressed and angry. Although in the past year my condition has became a little better it is still affecting me. By chance I stumbled upon your website, thankfully I did, many symptoms suggest that I may suffer from rosacea. After reading many testimonials to your products I decided to give the aloe vera gel and moisturiser a try, thankyou for your speedy dispatch. I received them 4 days ago, been using them since. Already I have noticed a great difference to my skin. I find that using the gel and moisturiser after shaving has excellent results. My skin feels and looks great. I now have a lot more confidence and will continue to use your fantastic range. I would like to express how appreciative i am to you.

Keep up the excellent work and thanx again.
Yours Sincerly
Chris

Hi Chris you've put a big :) on my face cheers mate!!!!

best wishes and take care

William.

hi,

i've just read the opening explanation on your website and it is just the confidence booster needed right now. i have suffered from mild to severe acne for a few years now and have gradually become taking more and more serious medication.

over the years i have had the feeling that my doctor looks upon it as quite trivial, therefore making it hard for me to return and ask for more serious madication. i use benzamycin gel as well as minocin capsules everyday. i am told to be patient and have only been taking these for a week now after my previous medicine, oxytetracycline had made it gorrendously worse. do be honest i have little confidence i these medicines as it just seems to get worse. i must admit i have seen people with worse, very severe acne but this is significant enough to make me think about it 24 hours a day. i am 20 years old and quite a late developer which is one of the explainations i have found which makes it easier to accept.

anyway, if you could inform me of a few tips and advice then that would be an extra bonus. congratulations on an excellent site.

regards

ollie

Hi ollie thanks for writing I understand exactly how you feel m8 damn have to switch this underlining off that's better! I recommend asking your doctor about isotrexin a combination topical gel containing isotretinoin and erythomycin. Thank you very much for your kind comments they mean a lot. Have a good read of it all it'll give you further suggestions. Don't be afraid of your dumb doc keep going back, tell him your acne is making you depressed and hindering your employment relationships etc then you will be taken more seriously.

best wishes and take care

William.

Dear William,
Thanks for your reply. It was good to hear a sympathetic response.
My skin feels like it is brusbhburned but healing. I do see the veins that I did
not have before and am very worried I did terrible damage to my skin. I had read
on the internet that laser can help but I am praying this is not needed. I am
going to try to find the best dermatologist in the city and get another opinion.
I truly wish I had not gotten this but now I have to move forward. If you know of
some ways that I could avoid having the laser,please let me know. Again, thanks
for your response and concern. At times like these, the internet is a great tool.

Subject: No Subject

Hello

I have been surffering with rosecea for a few years now. I am 43 and had
perfect skin u until the ae of 40. i am fairly fit

My pecialist has perscribe klaricid and drup containing claithromycin. I
am
nervous about taking the 3month cause but I am embrresed to go out often
becaus my sking flares ups and little darker red spots appera. It makes
the
area around my eyes stand out as panda eyes as they are so white in
comaprison. no amount of make-up helps as the area on my cheeks becomes
hot
and itchy

I really wanted to adres this issue as it is making me unhappy and
unconfident. I spend my time looking at others' skin. No one ever
comments
on my lovely skin any more and I definitely look my age these days.

Jude

Hi Jude I understand exactly how you feel, we all do, I have been there
myself and suffered serious depression because of this disease, thankfully I
am in a much better position today (never better in fact so don't you give
up!!!!). Depression should not be underestimated and you must report this
to the Doctor if you are losing sleep/weight are off your food, are tearful,
wake early in the morning with feelings of dread, are unhappy most of the
time etc. My best advice is to try my aloe vera skin care regimen and
follow the advice I send with it. I also recommend fully reading my site
and the readers emails.
best wishes and take care
william.

Subject: Rosacea

For the last six months now I have been suffering with red skin and tiny
painful blisters around my nose which is spreading over my face. This is
causing me great discomfort and emotional upset and I understand and
completely sympathise with all sufferers who have written for help and
advice. I am desperate to find a cure for this and have tried dietary
changes, detox plan, Chinese herbs and homeopathy but it is getting worse.
Different doctors diagnose it as different things, ie. sebhorric
dermatitis,
eczema and acne rosacea. Are blisters symptoms of acne rosacea or is it
only reddening and swelling of the skin?

NS

PS. Very helpful and informative site - thank you.

Hi papules small red raised spots are a common symptom of rosacea. I assume
you have tried antibiotics from your Doctor, I've included the info I send
with my Aloe Vera skin Care Complete Regimen - have a look and see if you
think the trigger factors apply to you, if so rosacea is likely and you may
wish to try my products available at www.acne-rosacea.co.uk <http://www.acne-rosacea.co.uk where you can
also find other info, the readers emails can give many insights, it's a
learning process as with everything:)
best wishes and take care
William.

William -

Thanks for your reply - best not to print the e-mail address as I am only
temporarily at this address - so I don't really want replies as such - but
if you could put my letter on the noticeboard, maybe it can be of use to
some of the readers, and I can check in and read anything that goes up in
reply? Thanks again,

Mel

Hi,
I'm a sufferer of acne, with sever outbreaks on a regular basis - I've
been
on Dianette for a year - to no avail, and I'm on the antibiotic Minosin SA
periodically every few months, which clears up the problem completely but
as
soon as I come off it I start to break out again. I was wondering if
anybody had any other ideas as to what I might try - I'm reluctant to keep
taking Minosin as it has caused some severe immunity problems with my
teenage brother - anyone out there currently on it might like to consult
their doctor about this.
I'm particularly interested in herbal remedies - I've been told Echinacea
is
very effective. I have also found that using an oil based cleanser (yes,
i
know it sounds strange) combined with a water based moisturiser to be
very,
very effective - below are some brands that have really worked for me:
'La Formule' essential oil cleanser & moisturiser
'Boots' essential oil wash off cleanser, and day shift 12 hour moisture
lotion
I'd welcome any advice from people in a similar position to me (I'm
female,
age 26, moderately stressful job, single mum, quite healthy lifestyle).
Regards
M

Hi Melanie sorry for the delay in getting back to you, would you like me to
put your message on the penpals page where you will get plenty of replies
I'll have to print your email address, or do you want me to put it on the
normal readers emails that I should be updating soon (said that last week
lol)
best wishes and take care
William.

Hi William -

Thank You so much for your quick reply and your
wonderful advice. I have scheduled my appointment for
the nurse next week. Although I guess I have to see a
nurse first before registering to see a GP. Very
differently done then in America.

Again I have to say that you have made a difference in
people's lives with your website. Knowing that we are
not alone with this disease is a very comforting
feeling.

Kind Regards-
Dianna

Hi -

I'm 31 and have been in the UK for 3 months.
I have suffered from Acne for most of my life. It has
caused severe depression and although I carry on and
am very social, I still have anxiety of what other
people think. Since moving here I am at a loss to
where to go for treatments. This weekend I am trying a
peeling process to help with the scars, however, the
cleansing products given to me seems to have made my
acne flare up worse. Is it possible for acne to flare
up before it gets better with products?
I use to be on antibiotics for 5 years, but have quit
because my husband and I would like a family. This has
caused my acne to flare on other parts of my body now.
Back and chest. Have you heard anything about flare
ups occurring once you stop taking antibiotics?
Well, thank you for listening. Your website brings
tears to my eyes because you are helping so many not
feel like their alone.

Dianna

Hi Dianna thank you so much for writing. It is difficult when you are
trying for a baby/nursing or pregnant as you don't want things getting or
potentially getting in your system that may harm your baby, drugs like
isotretinoin have been linked to birth defects and this powerful acne drug
is completely contraindicated when trying to get pregnant, are pregnant or
nursing. Your first call must be a family Doctor in the UK called a general
practitioner or GP. I think you should look at my acne treatments page and
look at the tests mentioned there ask your Doctor about polycystic ovarian
syndrome it causes some womens acne. If the antibiotics were helping then
stopping them would allow a recurrence of the acne. Some products you may
get from your doc when not trying for a baby can make your skin appear worse
in the short term before bringing about an improvement but this shouldn't be
the case with otc cleansers etc. Your Doctor is the one to advise you on
safe medication when you are trying for a baby, also discuss your depression
with him/her write down all the emotional hell you have been through (and I
know I'm still emotionally scarred) write how it effects you has effected
you, stopped you doing things that you want or feel you should be doing etc
give this note to your Doctor he/she will then take you much more seriously.
You may wish to try my tea tree cleanser it certainly helps my wifes acne,
check with your Doctor first though. I know how difficult it is beleive me,
please look on this as a temporary thing, once you have had your baby and
finished nursing you will be able to ask your Doctor about more powerful
treatments. Let me know how you get on and there's nothing like talking to
people in the same boat, write or answer a penpals letter on my site.
best wishes and take care
William.

Hi Liam I'll be putting a new update page on soon and I'll put an appeal for
info on it, fingers crossed.
best wishes and take care
William

Subject: Re: Treatment for Roseacea

William have you heard of any side effects with low dose isotretinoin, I
haven't used nitric oxide inhibitors but Dr Nase recommends them highly,
there are oral nitric oxide inhibitors on sale I wonder are they any good,
it would be great to find out about them. Have you ever used vascular
constrictor creams.

There are topical nitric oxide inhibitors being prepared in Florida at the
moment, Dr Nase used prepare them himself.

Regards,

Liam.

Subject: Re: Treatment for Roseacea

I haven't but I recommend ultra low dose isotretinoin to rhinophyma
sufferers. Do you have more info on the nitric oxide inhibitors?
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: Re: Treatment for Roseacea

William,

Have you ever tried oral isotretinoin or have you used topical or oral
nitric oxide inhibitors,

Regards,

Liam.

Subject: Re: Treatment for Roseacea

William,

Sorry for asking you so many questions but I'm inquisative by
nature and really interested in controlling this rosacea. I'm finding your
regimen very good for giving me a more natural complexion, I was wondering do
you now of
any medication available in the UK or Europe for stopping
instantaneous lushing. Also the area underneath my eyes gets blacker during a
flush do you know of any way to prevent or aid this. I have the book from
Dr Nase ordered , but unfortunately he is awaiting surgery at the moment
and s unable to answer e-mails.

Regards,

Liam.

Hi Liam no problem have a look at the rosacea treatments page on my
site

http://www.acne-rosacea.co.uk/Rosacea%20Treatments.htm#_Controlling_the_flu
s hing ie moxonidine or clonidine/dixarit and have a look at Peter's
site which is more about blushing/social anxiety but is extremely
comprehensive http://dreamwater.org/health/sadhelp/ I'm finding now that the
regimen does seem to be helping with blushing and no stimulus flushing as I call
it.
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: Re: Treatment for Roseacea

William,

Have you ever tried oral isotretinoin or have you used topical or oral
nitric oxide inhibitors,

Regards,

Liam.

I haven't but I recommend ultra low dose isotretinoin to rhinophyma
sufferers. Do you have more info on the nitric oxide inhibitors?
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: acne... obviously

Hi, this is Jean from Chicago.
I have an acne problem on my back, face, and on a little of my front.
I've had this problem since I turned a teen. I thought it was getting
better last year but now I'm back down again. Since I became a junior, my
acne seems to be getting worse, especially on the sides of my face. Does
this happen to all people at my age? (16) My friend is also getting more
acne this year. How can I get rid of the acne on my face and back?
-jk

Hi jk the best option is to consult your Doctor who will probable prescribe
an oral antibiotic as topical creams are hard to apply to your back. Beware
antibiotics can make the contraceptive pill less effective and can have side
effects see www.rxlist.com <http://www.rxlist.com for specific drug advice. You may wish to try
Dianette the contraceptive pill many women find it helpful for acne. There
are plenty of other suggestions on the site if you want further reading
www.acne-rosacea.co.uk <http://www.acne-rosacea.co.uk
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: A worsening case of Rosacea

Hello,

I am writing out of desperation. I am a 38 years old and I have been
suffering from Rosacea for about five years now. My dermatologist has
prescribed all the usual ointment antibiotics. None of them have worked
and
many have only aggravated the condition.

After spending nine months overseas (mostly in the Middle East) I returned
here to the States in August of this year with more severe symptoms and my
doctor prescribed one of the antibiotics that he had prescribed before.
That was six weeks ago. I did not fill the prescription. I realized that
I
needed to take a different approach.

I have had one meeting with an osteopathic physician who is suggesting
some
extensive testing to get at a possible underlying cause for the Rosacea
and
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, from which I also suffer. He seems to think
that,
given that these are both inflammatory conditions, there might be
something
to be gained from sending off different samples to the Great Smokies
Diagnostic Lab in Asheville, North Carolina. He is also suggesting an
elimination/challenge diet to see if there might not be some other food
triggers of which I am not aware. I am encouraged by this refreshing and
seemingly sensible approach to understanding more about these conditions.
However, my insurance company denied my first claim and in order to have
all
of this covered I am forced to change my insurance company and wait until
January to move ahead any further.

I am desperate because my rosacea involves my nose. I have at least one
and
sometimes two or three flare-ups every day. During these flare-ups my
nose
becomes very red and swollen. Over the last year I have noticed that the
shape of my nose has changed. It is still not recognizably different to
most people, but my husband will now freely admit that there is a
noticeable
difference on one side in particular. I would not be mistaken for W.C.
Fields or Karl Malden yet, but in a few year's time who knows?!!!!

I first logged on to your site back in August, after our return home. I
was
very interested then, but I must admit that I am a bit of a skeptic about
a
lot that I see on the Internet. However, if you are, as you say, a fellow
sufferer of this distressing condition, I find it hard to believe that you
are not what you represent yourself to be. So here I am writing to you to
ask whether or not you have heard from anyone with the dreaded rhinophyma
who has used your products with any success.

I have an appointment with my family doctor this coming week. Perhaps the
biggest trigger for me seems to be stress, which is an inherent part of my
life right now. I am considering asking him for a prescription for
something to calm my nerves and lessen my anxiety. I have never thought
of
myself as someone who needed to be medicated, and if I did not suffer from
this condition, even with the high degree of stress in my life at the
moment, I would not even remotely be considering this as an option. Have
you ever heard of anyone controlling symptoms by controlling reactions to
stress with medication?

I'm sorry if this is a bit rambling and perhaps even a bit tangential. I
just managed to get to the computer this evening while in the middle of a
particularly bad flare-up and the warm and welcoming tone of your site
inspired me to write to you. Thanks for listening.

Suzanne

Hi Suzanne thank you so much for writing, first of all don't panic! you
will not end up like WC Fields. A good treatment for rhinophyma is ultra
low dose isotretinoin (you must not get pregnant or be breast feeding while
on this drug). thankfully although a rosacea sufferer I don't have
rhinophyma and find my Aloe Vera regimen excellent for my more common
symptoms - . I too have IBS but I don't think there is
any link to rosacea which is a vascular disorder, both are common and many
people will have both. I've included the info I send with my skin care
products below I hope it is of help. I would recommend my Aloe Vera regimen
if you can afford it.
best wishes and take care
William.

Dear Sir,

I have had skin problems for many years now. I started off with Excema and from my teenage years applied Steroid cortisone creams on my face. In my 20s I developed acne. Now at 34 i still have it with a lot of pigmentation and mild scarring. I am very conscius of it. I started going to an acupuncurist but in my panic also went back to my homepathic doctor. I am underweght by about half a stone and have been dignosed with irritable bowel.

my question is:

1. can you combine acupuncture with homeopathy or which is the best solution?

2. How do you get rid of pigmentation and scarring without going under the surgeons knife.

3. Is it dieatry

I would appreciate your response

A.Mould (Ms)

Hi I think the best option for you is to discuss laser treatment with your Doctor, I would save your money and not rely on the acupuncutarist or homoeopathic practitioner. You could try vitamin c though but I think your doctor is your best bet.

best wishes and take care

William.

I just want to say how impressed I am with your service. I was a little sceptical at first about the effectiveness of these products, but I was willing to try anything. I have been using the Aloe Vera Complete Regimen for about a month now and within days I noticed a difference. My skin condition has continued to improve ever since. Your web site is excellent. I hadn't even heard of the condition until it affected me and I found your site very reassuring.

I am ordering more today.

Thank you.

Yvonne

i am interested in hearing from anyone who has tried ipl vasculight or photorejuenvenation treatment to treat acne rosacea.

Subject: Question on Rosacea

Hi from Nova Scotia, Canada

I have recently been diagnosed with rosacea. I looked it up on the net and found your page. I have mild redness on my cheeks but it is my nose that is driving me crazy. My Dad has a large red nose that is always broken out and looks like raw meat ( this is a graphic but true description) he has never been diagnosed so does not know some of the triggers. My Dr. told me some of the triggers are chocolate and alcohol and not to drink hot drinks because the steam aggravates it. He gave me an antibiotic cream but I am trying to control it with natural products and trying to avoid my triggers - spicy food etc. I am going on an Aloe Vera regimen starting today. Primrose oil and vitamin B are also good.

The rosacea is all confined to the tip of my nose. It appears in water filled blisters that look like pimples. It is constantly present now instead of sporadically as in the past. Has anyone ever said that it feels like something is crawling under the skin where the pimples occur? My doctor looked at me like I was strange when I said that. I can now also see one side of my nose when I look straight ahead and I never noticed that before. Does it cause nose enlargement? I am not a vain person but I can't imagine having a nose that looks like my Dad's, God bless him. I find it depressing because apparently the nose is the one body organ that continues to grow until we die. I am a positive thinking and confident person but have noticed that I

find myself embarrassed and depressed by this condition which has become more persistent lately.

It was great reading your page and hearing others inputs. Thanks

A fellow rosacea sufferer

Bev

Hi Bev yes itching under the skin is caused by the lymph drainage system being affected by inflammation I used to get that all over my face. Dont panic ok? I would certainly use my aloe vera regimen and also consider some of the internal products that you will be able to get locally such as flaxseed capsules, vitamin c, etc get the book available at www.drnase.com <http://www.drnase.com it has excellent info on rhinophyma and ultra low dose isotretinoin that will help you and your father's nose. Read my site and the book well. You feelings are quite understandable even though my skin is much better now with my products and what I know, I still feel that over the years it has left emotional scarring that will never heal. heres the info I send with my products I hope it is of help. get the book I am in now way affiliated with it! but I thankfully have no direct experience of englargment of the nose or ocular rosacea both of which are covered in the book.

best wishes and take care

wm.

Hi Kate thank you so much for letting me know that! I was getting quite
worried about these delays, that is reassuring! Try the gel first for a
couple of weeks just a little at night say. If your face is flared up it
may seem a little redder or feel as though it stings a little which makes it
difficult but I recommend persevering just with the gel for now. I can't
tolerate tap water on my skin but the gel is a life saver, after your skin
has hopefully calmed after a month say then you can begin washing with the
cleanser and filtered water. Try the moisturiser after a couple of weeks
that should help too. And don't forget the advice about caffeine, niacin
etc very important!
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: Delivery

Dear William,
I had e-mailed you yesterday as to the delay on my delivery, and you
promptly let me know that there could be a delay because of the increased
security. I appreciate your getting back to me so quickly. At least I
wouldn't be wondering everyday if something had gone wrong with the
shipment. The attacks of Sept.11
have changed quite alot here in the US (and in the world!). Then low and
behold it came in the mail today!
So that was about 2 weeks for delivery. I suppose there is no rhyme or
reason to it, sometimes the mail will just go faster than other times.
I'm anxious yet tentative to try the products for my rosacea (not too
severe yet - but sometimes bad redness and stinging.) I have tried so
many things which have made the situation worse. I'll start out very
slowly with each product and see how my skin reacts. I'm keeping my
fingers crossed that this will ease the discomfort, and I won't feel so
self-concious about it. I saw my doctor this week and he said to
definitely try the aloe products (along with the tetracyclene and
noritate) and see how it worked. Sorry this is so long, but it is very
therapeutic when someone else knows how hard this is to deal with. I
will let you know how it goes, and continue to read the posted e-mails on
the website. It's interesting to hear what everyone else has to say.
Thanks again for your help. Take care. Kate in the US

I have been diagnosed with rosacea, but I have a problem with
the fact that no one seems to know very much about it.
Since the number of sufferers in the US has increased,
it seems to me that environment (diet, allergens, etc.)
is a factor after all. I am upset with pharmaceutical companies
that waste research on costly treatments rather
than real cures. Come on, antibiotics? I have read testimonials
from several rosacea websites, and antibiotics only work a small percentage
of the time. My rosacea clears up considerably during my
period, which surprised my doctor. I also have Psoriasis on
my scalp, another skin ailment no one seems to know anything about.
It does seem to be some kind of autoimmune disorder, like rosacea,
so that makes me think something in my environment (pollution,
bad tap water, hormones in milk, meat, pesticides that act as
xenoestrogens in my body) is triggering the rosacea and psoriasis.

Does anyone out there agree?

Subject: Skin condition

Hi ive just been reading your web site and found it
very interesting. I was wondering whether or not you
could give me some advice on how to treat my skin? I
have had moderate spots now since the age of about 14,
and have been recieving treatment from the doctors
using antibiotics. The last course of antibiotics i
used was Doxycycline in conjuction with benzoyl
Peroxide cream (5%). I finished using the antibiotics
last september as my skin had all but cleared up, but
continued to use the cream. however my skin has now
deteriated back to as bad as it was before. I have an
appointement at the doctors, but i would like to know
whether or not i should start taking Doxycycline again
as this proved to be the most effective antibiotic i
used or try taking a different antibiotic such as
Minocycline? my age the moment is 18. also could you
suggest any sort of treatment to help heal the marks
on my face left from the spots?

Yours Faithfully

Andy

Hi Andy your Doctor may think it a good idea to stay with the antibiotic
that is working best for you, changing may be considered after some time if
the bacteria become resistant. There are side effects with oral antibiotics
however www.rxlist.com <http://www.rxlist.com perhaps a topical solution may be an idea. You could
try topical isotrexin a combination isotretinoin/erythromycin or perhaps
differin. My Aloe Vera gel may help with the red marks left after spots it
is a good antiinflammatory. for scarring info on the site.
best wishes and take care
William.

Hello there,

Had to share it..........

9 weeks into 13 of erythromycin plus Metrogel ----- and I have a vast improvement in skin condition !!!!

The skin swelling is down, no new breakouts and the irritation has gone. I haven't given up anything much - less alcohol maybe and am now drinking beer and wine (definitely no spirits - they cause the burn). I still have the occasional spicy foods. Still sit in the sun when its there. I do not use mozzie repellent sun screen (my skin hates it) but normal sunscreen is fine. Still swim in chlorinated pools. Still live in a centrally heated home. Still workout to excess.

The skin is still pink with thread veins but liveable and life is good. I recommend this extended treatment be tried by sufferers where possible (sometimes the liver doesn't like such a long spell). If the improvement doesn't stay - at least I've had a reprieve..............

Susie

How'do Wm.I have just met a great friend through the"pen pals"page.We have much incommon and she has given me some usefulinfo',ggrrreatt!.I feel better already..Cheers mate!..john..(no need to reply.)

Subject: steroid induced rosacea

I'm writing in hope that some of my questions can be answered regarding
steroid induced rosacea/acne. I brought this on myself by appling
Westcort
hydrocortisone to my face for approximately a year. Though it has
improved
(9 months since I stopped using the steroid) it is still not back the way
it
was before I used this medicine. What treatments would be best for this.
It my skin eventually return to normal and how much longer, more or less,
will it take? I have been appling metro cream to my face as per my
dermatologist suggested, she says it will reverse itself, but I would
like
another opinion. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Sandra you are right to consult your Doctor whom is best placed to
provide diagnosis and prescribed medication. It is difficult to say how
long you skin would take and even if it might not have progressed to the
present condition anyway. Metro cream and oral antibiotics are the usual
prescribed medication, but a large majority of people find symptomatic
relief from my Aloe Vera regimen and you may wish to consider this too.
I've attached some info that I hope is of help.
best wishes and take care
William.

HI I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ACNE ROSACEA ABOUT A WEEK AGO. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN ROZEX GEL AND OXYTETRACYCLINE. MY SKIN AT THE MOMENT IS NOT TO BAD, BUT THIS MORNING AFTER TAKING MY TABLET I VOMITED. SO I CANNOT TAKE THEM ANYMORE. WILL IT BE OK FOR ME TO USE THE CREAM (ROZEX) ON ITS OWN OR WILL I HAVE TO TAKE ANTIBIOTICS.

I HAVE SUFFERED WITH MY SKIN FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS (SINCE MY DAD DIED) IS THIS CONDITION ASSOCIATED WITH STRESS.

I HAVE FOUND YOUR WEB PAGE VERY HELPFUL AND SUCH A RELIEF TO KNOW YOUR NOT ALONE.

THANKS FOR TAKING TIME TO READ THIS.

BY THE WAY I AM 36.

BRENDA

Hi Brenda certainly stress is an important trigger as are others. You will need to discuss with your doctor about your oral antibiotics but many people do find metronidazole topical applications useful. You may wish to try my Aloe Vera regimen if you don't find an improvement using the metronidazole after a month or so. I've attached the info I send with my products I hope it is helpful to you. My worst period was after my dad died too.

best wishes and take care

William.

Subject: rosacea

Hi, my name is anne and i am 48years old.For years i have flushed when in
very warm climates or after exercising. I suffer with red veins on my face
over my cheeks and my nose is flaking . i als sometimes get very sore and
red
in the folds of my cheeks. I have one or two spots on my forehead but no
others. About three months ago after rubbing my face vigorously i came out
in
blotches and by mid afternoon I looked as if i had a bad case of sunburn,
and my face was very hot and stinging. This happened again about a month
later although nothing since. About the same time as this second episode i
got an eye infection which was diagnosed as conjunctivitis and prescribed
1
week of antibiotics. Although it did not completely clear up the infection
it
was a lot better. So here i am 10 weeks later after having seen three
different doctors and i am now told i have blepharitis. When i asked the
doctor if this could be connected to rosacea he said no because when you
have
rosacea your cheeks are a lot ruddier and you would probably have spots,
but
i am not convinced. I know you are not a doctor and cannot dispense
medical
advise, but could you please tell me if it is possible to have mild
rosacea
and blepharitis. T he doctor said the flushing could be due to my hormones
because of my age[ in my opinion a agood cop out]. T he flushing lasted
all
day both times and it was extremely uncomfortable. I guess what i really
want
to know is
1. is it possible to have rosacea without the accompanying spots ** yes
2.is it possible to have mild rosacea with mininmal redness but the thred
veins across the cheeks,but at the same time blepharitis *** yes
3. Am i going mad. *** no we all react the same and unfortunately doctors
are not always that helpful!

Everything i have read points to rosacea, but no one seems to be taking it
seriously

Yours sincerely
Anne

p.s. sorry for the rambling tone of this letter it is just that I am so
frustrated. if i knew that irt coulnd't or probably wasn't rosacea then i
could research other reasons for my condition

Hi Anne it does sound to me as though it is extremely likely that you do
have rosacea and your eyes problems could be related but don't panic and as
you point out I am not qualified in medicine in anyway. I would recommend
trying my Aloe Vera regimen.
Go over my site again and other information sources of info, you will get it
under control, I've attached the info I send with Aloe Vera orders I hope it
is of help to you. Remember I had terrible rosacea which lead me to
depression and thoughts of suicide now it is under control, so don't give
up. Loteprednol eyedrops may be worth discussing with your doctor.
Keep in touch Anne.
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: Re: HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP

HI WILLIAM!
My skin is clearing up totally...thank the lord aboveeee and differin woohooooooo.Back to my old beautiful self yeehawwwwwwwwwwwww- How are u doing today? Can i ask u something-is it really hard living with rosacea? How is ur face now? By the way, I send becky an email she was on that penpal list thingy that u have on ur website-great way to get people bonding who are suffering from the same disorder and are able to offer mutual consolation and advice. I think it is really great what u have done-I really think ur amazing whoever u are -Will from the UK-u really make such an amazing difference in people's lives.Ur really something else!!!!!!!!!!! Whoever is married to u is one lucky bitch....LOL and I say that regardless to how red u are or might be :) I spoke to my dermatologist, he says he doesn't think i will get it but then who knows....for now I have a mild case of acne vulgaris that just cleared up.Just pray for me will ya Will :).Anyhow I kinda realized over the past couple of weeks what is truly important in life and it is a far cry from a pretty smile....it is a pretty soul and u certainly have a very pretty soul. Take care my friend and thanks again for being such an angel in those tough times when people really need one in their lives.
xoxxooxxoxo
SHEILA

Hi Sheila just got back from a few days in Scotland (and being eaten alive by midges lol), I can't thank you enough for your kind comments they make me feel great! My skins ok now a few up's and downs but not anything that bothers me overmuch thanks. Many people in the public eye with strong personalities cope very well with skin conditions I've noticed it can be more trying for us mere mortals. I'll have to go and catch up with the work that's piled up now hehe, bye for now Sheila.

best wishes and take care

William.

Hi Nina
that is excellent news and I must apologise for the delay. Apart from being
eaten alive by the midges (small flies) when we made a hide to photograph
the deer (which didn't turn up hehe which is hardly suprising as my sister
insisted on smoking! if you can imagine us sitting in the dark in the forest
my sister and me arguing my wife trying to keep the peace and my son wanting
to go paddling in the stream and being eating by flies you'll get the
picture hehe mind you I do like a holiday when its nice to get home again!)
we had a good break thank you.
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: RE: Ordered products

William! I hope your holiday was a relaxing one, and that you enjoyed your
time to regroup and move forward. Unfortunately, Americans put alot of
stock
in the work ethic, and holidays are as action-packed and as unrelaxing as
the usual 40+ hour work week. It has certainly impacted our overall
physical
and mental health status in a negative way, I am afraid. I did recieve
your
products and have been using them for 1 week now. At first the face wash
and
aloe burned slightly, but after a few washes that disappeared. The acne
has
cleared up significantly and the redness is at this time unnoticeable. I
have used the hair wash along with mayonnaise and lemon for a conditioner,
and have had good results. Prior to using the wash, I would get redness if
the conditioner came in contact with my face. I commend you on your web
support group. I am an RN in wound management and know that a positive
body
image is essential for each and every human being. I will continue to use
your products, and plan to refer others to your web site. Thanks so much!

Subject: Rhinophyma

Hi,

I am currently taking low-dose accutane for mild stage rhinophyma. I am
38-years-old and a woman. The disease developed literally overnight and
without warning. I am tired of reading that women don't get
rhinophyma. The only other signs of rosacea that I display are mildly
bloodshot eyes. I can actually feel the enlarged sebaceous glands at
the end and sides of my nose. My derm feels fairly confident that
accutane will shrink these growths and reduce the swelling. I also plan
to do laser and/or photoderm in the future.

My question to you is: what is the success ratio for rhinophyma
sufferers treated with accutane? No one seems to know much about it.
Also, is there anyone else out there that you know of who is being
treated with accutane to treat rhinophyma? I am trying to be
optimistic, but it's hard when your nose is growing right in front of
your eyes.

Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Heidi

Hi Heidi my best advice is to get a book available at www.drnase.com <http://www.drnase.com he has
much more info on this than I have and I unreservedly recommend this book.
Also follow some of the links on my links page for info on it.
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: Re: HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP

THANKS WILLIAM
JUST WENT TO THE DERMATOLOGIST HE SAID HE IS 100% SURE THAT I HAVE ACNE VULGARIS AND IT IS MOSTLY GONE AT THIS POINT THANK GOD...STILL WORRIED ABOUT GETTING ACNE ROSACEA LATER IN LIFE BECAUSE OF MY GERMAN ANCESTRY AHHHHHHHHH I JUST WON' THINK ABOUT IT FOR NOW. THANKS SO MUCH FOR UR CONCERN AND I WAS HAPPY I WAS ABLE TO PUT A SMILE ON UR FACE AS U HAVE ON MINE THROUGH UR WRITING TO ME AND SHOWING CONCERN. U ROCKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOOXO
SHEILA

Hi Sheila I can't remember if I sent you the info below but I'll enclose it just in case. It will give you an insight into rosacea triggers and may help in the future. Don't forget acne and rosacea are two totally different diseases and haveing one will not lead to the other (although I've had both doh! hehe never mind).

best wishes and take care

William.

Subject: Help

Dear sir/madam,
I was scanning through the web for alternative treatments for acne when I
came across your site. Lately I have been feeling particularly down and
your
words made me feel less alone so thankyou for that.
I have had acne for 10 years now and seems to be getting worse rather than
better, doctors and dermatolgists alike have given up on me and passed me
on
to the next practitioner who just doesn't want to know.
I have been prescribed Roaccatan (spelling?) and all sorts of antibiotics
with no effect. I'm going to be 30 soon and it has completely destroyed my
life, I have no confidence, no self esteem, no friends etc.
But enough of my ramblings. My question to you is whether you know of the
best alternative / natural medicine or a good web site to start from as
prescribed drugs simply have not worked for me.
Thanks in anticipation.
David

Hi David well your not alone friend your part of a group of tens of
thousands of people who feel exactly the same as you do. Firstly what about
replying to some of the penpal messages or better yet give me a message to
put on - you sound like a great guy and I know you will get plenty of
replies and make friendships that way. I understand how down you feel and
if you are tearful, have a loss of appetite, disturbed sleep for more than a
week you must see your Doctor and explain in writing how you feel and what
is happening to you. I have been severely depressed and seriously suicidal
with Rosacea in the past, things do get better, don't make the same mistake
I did of not thinking they will. I didn't meet my wife until I was 34, I
was just the same as you, I now have a great family and home, and for the
first time a job I enjoy, my website - I wouldn't have thought any of this
possible at your age, 30 is still very young, things are easier as you get
older believe me. I think your best bet for your Acne Vulgaris IS
prescribed medication. There are plenty of treatments to try still, have
you had systemic isotretinoin prescribed by a hostpital specialist this is
the most powerful treatment for Acne Vulgaris, it can have many side effects
but is considered safe under hospital supervision - some links to resources
are on my new page. DO NOT stand for Doctors not taking you seriously you
have every right to DEMAND SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT print this email out and
tell them I'm considering starting a page NAMING & SHAMING Doctors who don't
take skin disease seriously - some doctors attitudes make me SICK. Firstly
try some different antibiotics erythromycin for instance, try topical
Benzamycin for a while, then topical Isotrexin and then see about systemic
isotretinoin if you and your Dermatologist (get your GP to refer you) think
that is going to be a safe option. Let me know how you get on and don't be
a stranger David, remember I had acne till about 38 that went but the
Rosacea stayed DOH!!! hehe never mind - remember to play to your strengths,
what your a good at, interested in, what you are realistically capable of
and don't hammer yourself for what you think you should do or have - that's
how I cope anyway.
best wishes and take care
William.

ps this is info for rosacea suffers I send with order it may be of some use.

Subject: Update on homeopathy treatment

Dear WM,

I thought I would keep you posted with development of homeopathy treatment after 4 months so far. The good news is that it is having an effect by reducing/eliminating the redness from the outside of my face...bad news is that I have a strip of red in the middle of my forehead , inner cheeks , nose and chin. Also as it reduces the skin has a more raised appearance and as a consequence looks more red (only at this point did people at work start to comment if I had a rash even though I've had rosacea for over 4 years).

I've recently taken a different approach to use a chinese medicine approach (herbal remedies). This has reduced the redness somewhat but still quite a way to go.

From week 20 emails, Sam was embarking on homeopathy treatment and I would be interested to hear how she gets on with it and also how the rosacea reduces.

Bottom line is that the treatments work (but expensive) and will take some time to work...say a year. If more rosacea sufferers used this approach then perhaps this would allow homeopaths to have a better understanding for curing it.

Best wishes

Graham

oops just pressed the wrong button and sent your own email back to you (haven't had breakfast yet that's my excuse and it's 11.30am lol). Thank you so much for keeping in touch Graham. I'll print your email and hopefully Sam will read it and keep in touch too. What specific remedies have you tried? of course homoeopathic remedies will vary person to person and not by disease, but people will ask! hehe. I think the important thing with anything is to get a good practioner preferably recommended by someone you know, not to spend too much money without trying a variety of other treatments. Interesting about people not noticing overall redness but a rash like appearance. I sincerely hope you have success Graham and look forward to your next update.

Subject: one more thing

William,

One more thing. Here's a product you might like to look into. I picked it
up in the UK earlier this year from Boots. It has a pansy on the box. It's
sold in the homeopathic/skin section.

I haven't got the box anymore, but the blister pack says: Gerard House,
SKIN, PL Holder Associated Health Foods Ltd.

Very likely it's a liver cleaner (although it does not say this. Probably
not allowed to.), but it's sold as a skin supplement.

It seemed to be doing something.

Even though you have the aloe caps on your list, it might be good to have
alternatives because I believe you should rotate your herbs seasonally for
maximum efficacy.

Best wishes,

Cathy

P.S. Just noticed (!) you take plastic. Yipee!

Thanks so much Cathy I'll contact them and see if Boots have got exclusive
rights, they usually do ):

But I'll put your email on the next update and people can try it from Boots
if they wish.
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: aloe OK!

Hello, William,

I wanted to say thanks for the Aloe gel. It arrived Tuesday. For the first
couple of days I only put it on two small areas of my face: 1) where
glasses often cause spots on the nose and 2) on my jaw, a particularly
rosacea'd area. Results were good. In fact, the irritation spots on my
nose
responded and began to go away almost immediately.

So Friday I went for broke and put the aloe gel all over my face. Good
news: no irritation. This is what I'd been worried about, since I am very
sensitive (I can't bare to walk past make-up counters with all the counter
ladies calling to me about my sensitive skin. As if I didn't know!!!!).

My skin looks pretty "settled".

I had been getting photoderm, mind. And this is a blessing. But my skin
likes making blemishes at a superhuman speed. I'm hoping the aloe gel will
help stop this (***do you think the aloe targets a particular bacteria or
something?***) So far, so good.

Years ago I met someone who did facials and said aloe "gelly" of a certain
kind helped a lot. She was in a different country, so I couldn't go see
her more than once a year for two years. But your aloe gel now brings
back
echoes of the little bit of product she gave me to try.

Yes, there obviously is something in aloe, and as long as it's formulated
the right way it probably does at least some good.

Anyway, I'm writing to say that if people you correspond with say they
would like to try the aloe but are afraid b/c they are very sensitive you
can tell them another very sensitive-skinned person found it caused no
reaction at all.

Good luck!

Cathy

Hi Cathy thank you so much for your email - I've put your message on the new
homepage I'm trying out (on my wifes advice hehe, she works in a shop doing
displays, so I hope she knows what she's talking about!). I believe the
Aloe works primarily as an antiinflammatory and antibacterial agent. If you
could give me any details of your experiences of Photoderm anytime that
would be great reading for others. Thanks Cathy - oh and I find the Aloe as
effective as metronidazole for spots so good luck, I apply it generously to
persistent spot areas and thank god it does the trick!.
best wishes and take care
William.

Subject: thanks

Thank you very much for your response. I have actually decided to
stop taking antibiotics all together, at least for the time being. I got
this book from the Internet called acne miracle and it has a whole different
view on what cases acne. I have completely changed my diet and take tons of
vitamins. I feel so much better about my acne and myself, I still and a
little hesitant to go out in public but I don't cry everyday and think about
ways of killing myself. It is a nice break too, I have been on antibiotics
for about two years (not the same ones) and this way it gives my body a
chance to rest if my new way of eating does not work I can always try again.
Now I just need something to get rid of the hyperpigmentation, do you know of
anything good? Thanks again:)

Hi excellent! very positive, it is a battle but we've got to keep up the fight! You could ask your doctor about laser treatments if he/you thinks it applicable, perhaps try my Aloe Vera gel, vitamin c or e cream, there's vitamin e in my moisturiser that could be worth a go, let me know how your diet goes. And if your feeling down email me anytime or check out the penpals page, it's very popular with good reason!

best wishes and take care

William

Subject: Enlargement of the nose

I have a quick question about acne rosacea and enlargement of the nose. How do you know this is happening? Is it sore? I have acne-rosacea and have had infections in my nose since my second child was born 3 months ago. I do not believe in anti-biotics and I am seeing my naturopathic doctor soon, who I hope will help wipe out the infection. However, I am concerned that my condition may be affecting my nose.

On the plus side, only my cheeks are slightly red - not my nose. Is my nsal problem likely to be unrelated?

Thanks for your help

Michaela

Hi Michaela only your Doctor after a consultation will be able to answer your question. Rhinophyma is seen as enlargement of the sebum producing glands and the pores in the skin. Redness, flakiness itching can be symptoms but it is uncommon in either sex but much more likely to be severe in men. I have attached some info I send with Aloe Vera skin care products. Beware your Naturapath doesn't prescribe a multi vitamin with Niacin in! (I have one available Niacin free) don't say anything just see if he/she does.

I saw a naturapath, highly respected in my area, years ago, she prescribe hot and cold water rinses for god's sake - one of the worst things I could have done!

best wishes and take care

William.

Subject: Help

Hi WM

I am 29 and suffer from from rosacea, although this is no longer my main
problem as i had ETS surgery 3 years ago, in a bid to help my facial
flushing, but this has resulted in terrible compensatroy sweating problems. I
really don't know what to do, my personal and working life has been afftected
so much and i am now in a desperate situation. My GP is not very helpful and
i am so dissappointed that i was never even told of any possible side effects
by the surgeon who carried out my operation and therefore my ability to make
an informed decision of whether to proceed was taken away from me, along with
my �3000!!!! I have been made aware of the possibilty of reversal surgery,
but this is �13000 (which i don't have) and comes with no guarantees. Please
do you have any comments or words of hope/ideas????

Thanks
Alex

Hi Alex I sympathise deeply with you. I turned down the possibility of ETS surgery on the NHS (the British health service where medical treatment is free) details are on one of the readers email pages at the top. My best advice is to have a look at my reviewed links page, there are many websites there full of information on this specialised subject which I sincerely hope will be of help to you, please let me know. I gleaned most of my knowledge on the subject from those pages. Please also be aware of depression from the stress you are suffering, lack of appetite, disturbed sleep, tearfullness etc should be discussed with your Doctor and appropriate medication prescribed sooner rather than later.

best wishes and take care

William.

Subject: suitable skin products

I have recently been told that I have acne rosacea and am conscious of the fact that the skin products which I had previously been advised to use (Clarins' Sensitive Skin range) are of no help and in fact appear to make my skin worse at times. I am 47 so want to find products which will cleanse and moisturise a 'mature' skin with rosacea.

Acupuncture was recommended to me as being good for rosacea and I am currently undergoing this - 8 sessions so far. The acne seems to have developed since this started and the rosacea has yet to improve! My acupuncturist has given me a liquid multivitamin and mineral concoction from the States which at �25 for a month's supply seems a little expensive if there is something else which will be as beneficial.

I would welcome your advice on skin products and mineral/vitamins.

With best wishes,

Trish

Hi Trish I tried acupuncture for some months, it can help some conditions but it didn't help my acne or rosacea. I have a one a day multi vitamin which doesn't have niacin in but the B vitamin nicotinamide, this is essential to rosacea sufferers as niacin aggravates flushing and therefore most other rosacea symptoms - if the multivitamin you have been prescribed has niacin in it is contributing to your symptoms not helping! (niacinamide is also a suitable form of this b vitamin), my vitamins are one a day and UK�6.95 for 30 (a month's supply) I take them every day along with Aloe Vera tablets. I would recommend my cleanser and moisturiser they are very popular products with regular customers whom have rosacea. I would also recommend the Aloe Vera gel which while I cannot guarantee results (because all our body chemistry's are different and no treatment works for everyone) does help very many including myself with symptomatic relief from rosacea. The 200ml cleanser, 50ml moisturiser and 200ml gel together is what I call my "Complete Regimen" it's UK�22.85 including UK postage, it should last for 6-12 weeks depending on usage of course. I have a page www.acne-rosacea.co.uk/justtips.htm <http://www.acne-rosacea.co.uk/justtips.htm you may find helpful it has tips about makeup products on and other useful advice sent in by readers.

best wishes and take care

William.

Subject: Still waiting

I am half way through my third pack of dianette, and although my skin is
dryer (oiliness was never a problem though) I am still gettging infected
sore spots, too sore to touch, often in clusters. Sometimes my skin is
clear, but never for more than a couple of days and I'm always waiting
for the next breakout. how long will it take for the dianette to kick
in? I used to take minocycline but with little effect, i had a hormone
test which revealed the androgen problem so I thought dianette would be
the answer to all my problems, is it too soon to tell?

Thanks

Hi I would check back with your Doctor and perhaps try a topical treatment
at the same time if he/she thinks that suitable. Perhaps Benzamycin,
Isotrexin, erythromycin etc. Unfortunately it can take time so stick in
there! Let me know how you get on.
best wishes and take care
William

Subject: help

Hi
I am eighteen and for all my teenage years with the help of retin-a micro and
a 100 mg tablet of minocycline every other day i had perfect skin, until
about may 2001 my doctor and i reduced the dose to 50 mg and after that my
skin got steadily worse and by graduation i was very broken out. since then
we have tried increasing the dose which did not work, switching me to 150 mg
clindamycin twice a day which improved it slightly, but then it got bad again
so we added 25 mg aldactone, not to mention the retin-a and cleocin-t and
that has not worked. This is so difficult for me, a normally very happy
social person to be trapped in the house for because I am so ashamed of my
face. I am going off to college soon and I will not be able to survive I
have noticed that my doctor is hesitant to give me something like accutane
because my skin is not that severe, but I am still greatly effected by it. I
am thinking of asking him to put me on 500 mg of erythrocycline twice a day
and am wondering if that is a good idea. please help.

Hi I know exactly how you feel, this is a very difficult time for you maybe the most difficult you will have in your life, but you will get through it. I'm not sure if you are female but if you are you could ask your Doctor about Dianette the contra