Please can everyone take note that Nailzoo lives in Australia and the ladies in question live in England.
Sorry hun in England if I'm sick I make an appointment with the nurse because she has far more experience and is often better qualified then the Dr who is usually a newly qualified registrar and still very wet behind the ears.
And yes over here the nurse can and does write prescriptions without consulting the doctor. She has the education to do so and the law has finally recognized that she is wasting every ones time by getting a doctor to countersign it

Viv,
I do feel for you especially as I can see your frustration emanating from your words...which seems to be reflected in those that are trying to offer you support and some form of suggestion as to what you may not have thought of or tried..you must be at the end of your tether right now

Doctor,nurse,skin allergy specialist im not and wouldn't dream of making any specific remedy cure suggestions but rest assured ,somewhere out there is a definitive answer to your problem.

Its difficult for sure but your doing the right thing..trying ,asking and looking for ways to improve on this problem you have...well done for asking on this forum as part of this investigation phase your going through

There could be any number of reasons that's triggering these problems,a mind set thing,allergic reaction (something at work that you use,you wash your clothes with,that you eat etc) and im sure your well on your way to having explored most the possibilities..could it be diet,pollution in the air where you live...the list goes on and on.

What remedy works for one doesn't mean its going to work for you.

Keep trying all the possible options even those that may seem ridiculous to you right now and soon,fingers crossed ,an answer will be found....just don't give up and let this cause your life to be somewhat unbearable

My son had the same problem and every specialist was trolled through...he off his own bat, became a vegetarian and also stopped drinking milk...no problemo any more..thank goodness

oh and its good to see so mny peeps trying to offer their support

WOW ... see what happens when Im booked all day long, as well as evening. YOIKES... everyone goes crazy

Sorry to have caused all the fuss.

I'm going to try to respond as best as I can to all that's been said... as there were too many for me to try to "multi-quote".

I've been with my current dermatologist for 1.5yrs. He's my 2nd. The one before him, I had for 3yrs. Neither so far have come up with anything that works. I've been on the 1% metrogel for a little over a year, twice a day.....
I have tried gazillion brands of makeup... and the one I currently use, so far is the best. (Cover FX | The Foundation Authority) I did experiment with 3 brands of mineral makeup (the real deal)... however, I did not get sufficient coverage with them, to hide my rosacea. I need FULL coverage.... not sheer or semi. They didn't irritate but didn't camouflage well and seemed to wear off and needed to be reapplied. I also found the method of application very tiresome and messy LOL If it doesn't hide the rosacea, then I won't wear it.

ummmm what else... Oh, why would dove be bad if my Dermatologist/DR recommends that? I thought it was PH balanced? In any case, it's one of the very few that doesn't irritate my skin...
Will try neutrogena.

I'll ask for a prescription moisturizer. I figure if I can further hydrate my skin without causing breakouts... then it'll be less irrritated/red/itchy?
I'll ask about the prescrip sunscreen too, to see if that's possible.

I've tried to ascertain whether anything in my environment is the irritant... I don't think it's my detergents because I switched those a few years ago... and ever since, the skin everywhere else is less irritated and same for my girls. (I can't use Tide, Purex, Gain, or Sunlight etc.... they irritate my skin).

I've heard about the jojoba oil with tea tree oil and may try that. I also understand that tea-tree oil kills demodex mites 'IF' that's the problem (don't know how much I believe that... but hey, whatever). And yes, I do realize that it takes VERY little tea-tree oil as pure, it would be an irritant (I know tonnes about tea-tree oil)

I can't give up dairy. First, I LOVE dairy. Second, Osteoporosis runs in the family genes.... and I'm built identically like my aunt who has it... she looks like my older sister... Breast-fed two children... so I'm at risk and need my calcium. I don't take supplements because they usually contain iron and iron HATES me and doesn't digest well unless in it's natural form (ie: spinach, red meat...)


I don't have much hope of finding a cure, and don't believe I will. BUT if I can find some relief from the pain/itching/burning of my face... that would go a LONG way to making me a happy camper.
I have an apptmnt with derm coming up soon, and will mention to him all said here about script moisturizers and sunscreen free of iritants.

I appreciate EVERYONE'S help... and thoughtfulness and consideration and will keep you posted on my adventure.

For any other women with rosacea, give Cover fx makeup a shot. IT'S FAB... doesn't irritate at all, and HIDES the rosacea without making you look 'caked'. Also, no need for coverstick or corrector fluid (lavender or green) because the makeup is highly pigmented and does it all.

Giant to everyone

xox

Hello Victoria
you have been given some really good advice on this site, I just thought I'd mention one more small suggestion.
I wonder if using a good quality organic moisturiser would help soothe your skin?
Only I use organic skincare myself and obviously it is very pure, containing no preservatives, harsh chemicals, perfumes, etc. Organic skincare is becoming very popular here in the uk.
I don't have any clients with rosacea who have used it, but I would tell them to give it a try if they did - at least it would be gentle.
I hope that everybody's suggestions do help you, you sound really fed up.
Good luck, and let us know what gives you good results, as it is great to be able to suggest things which might help our own clients with their skin problems.
Cathy x

Hi Tog...

I do appreciate your suggestion. I have tried one 'organic' product and found it to be very perfumy and it irritated my face like mad.
I'm game to try anything, and pretty much do, at this point.

Nothing against natural ingredients (hence why I'll be trying straight jojoba), but I'm wary against the 'organic' craze that everyone is buying into. Organic doesn't always mean 'good'. Aas in, poison ivy which is organic is bad for most peeps but not me LOL I could lay naked as a jay bird and not get a rash. If my sister so much as stands next to it.... she looks a frightful mess for a week.

Thanks oodles for your thoughts!

How about taking a nutritional approach in addition to taking medication?

The details from this link is from a very reputable source - Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION)

ION Institute for Optimum Nutrition - Acne Rosacea

I would recommend this approach along with the advice that daisyl has given and you should see a substantial improvement.

I was going to pm this as I'm not a pro, but maybe others can benefit. Victoria, I have very similar problems. I tried a plethora of things and realized my SPF foundation was the biggest problem. I switched to an non-SPF and within days the difference was dramatic. Day and night.

I still have some minor acne, but none of those deep painful ones. I am not advocating not using sunscreen, but for me I just can't put it on my face at all. It's made a dramatic difference. The rest of my routine is simple, simple. I use Cetaphil and keep everything stripped down. I only use moisturizer under my eyes as I don't need it anywhere else, and again, no SPF.

If I'm going to be out all day, I will suck it up and wear sunscreen, knowing I will suffer a breakout. But on a daily basis, no sunscreen goes on this face!

ETA - I also get glycolic peels (70%) every 3 months.

Regrettably, the 'diet' approach is impractical for me. As a full time mother with a full time job, .... eating regularly is a challenge.
My schedule is a nightmare..... and without a palm pilot/electronic agenda, I'd go mad. I actually have to schedule "Me" time in, or I forget about myself. Average night's sleep is probably 5-6hrs.
While I'm not a junk food pig, and probably have more vegetables on my plate than most at the evening meal....... that's about as good as it gets.
My usual ritual evening snack is tostitos (baked corn chips/crisps) with home made tomatoe salsa (which is not spicy, but more of a 'fresh garden' taste with TONNES of cilantro/corriander).
Otherwise, I don't touch chips (crisps as you call them, I think?)
I can't become vegan because I HATE HATE HATE lentils and beans and such... Can't stand their texture. It's gross I detest tofu. And I simply love my dairy. I don't eat spicy food. I've cut the hot beverages. Alcohol was never an issue (but seriously, I think I should drink more often LOL). I love seafood and poultry. Beef... low on my list. Maybe once a week? I can't take iron in vitamin form because it causes digestive problems.... and can only tolerate it in it's natural form.

Vitamins............... problematic.
I'm FOREVER forgetting to take my Raynauds/arthritis pills and those are for my PAIN.... which is constant. The only time I can swallow pills without a struggle is when I have a migraine and it's because I'm desperate for relief and even then... I gag....

If I can get my dermatologist to find some prescription relief and find a moisturizer that will relieve some of the itch and dryness without causing a breakout, I'll be very happy.

I GREATLY appreciate everyone's support, sympathy, ideas, and efforts to help me. There is much for me to 'try' here that I hadn't thought of, or heard of in my research.
I'll give a few of these ideas a try and see what happens.
Shall keep you posted.

THANKS A MILLION.

wow Carl, I am so going to try that one out!!! Am mega impressed with you.

Hello Victoria,

I hope I can offer you some useful advice, you have already been given some very good advice by our colleagues. I use a brand called Environ, This product is pharmaceutical grade and is used in hospitals and also by dermatologists. Might I suggest that you mention this product to your dermatologist. This product was formulated by a dermatologist in South Africa. Please google it. As long as your acne rosacea is not hormonal there is a strong possibility this product will work for you. Nutrition is also a huge tool in health. providing your body with the nutrients to do its job properly. You see to have many inflammatory conditions and I truly believe diet changing (I know you are extremely busy) will make a signigicant impact over time. The institute of optimum nutrition is an excellent place to start as advised by another colleague.

True story, I had a sister who was diagnosed with drug induced schitzophrenia, she was hospitalised and put on medication. I also had another sister who was very much into supplements and nutrition. She put her on supplements and after a period of time the sister with schitzophrenia recovered. After twenty years of being so ill she finally recovered because her brain was getting all it needed to funtion properly.

A two pronged approach is good.

Please look into Environ is is organic and Chirally correct.

Wish you all the best.

Aspire

have you tried environ? also is this a recent thing or been going o for a long time? maybe see a kenisiologist or a natroupatic nutritionist as they could help your to find out what is coursing the irritaition and breakouts. best to find the root cause and work from the inside out... gem x

HI Victoria

I have a friend of mine who suffered from the same problem and is now using a natural product with great result. She is really happy as it took he 6 years to find the right product to suit her skin. If you would like I can find out for you what she is using.

Let me know.

Regards,
Marco

Almond oil is supposed to give you protection from the sun if you want to be natural. Oil does not make skin more oily it helps to balance. Also my friend has had terrible probs with her skin (been to dermatologists etc) and I got her onto Essentially Yours stuff which has made a dramatic difference.

I can recommend Avene Thermal water for soothing your skin, I use it on my clients after a peel or microderm and they love it. I am not sure where you can get it from in Canada though, its cheap as chips here though.

HTH

Thanks!

We have avene here

I have recently ordered pure jojoba oil as it was suggested to me to use that to cleanse with (which seems odd... LOL) and also as a moisturizer.
I'm a bit nervous of the almond oil as I know how sticky it is, and don't want a greasy face...
I do use it for my legs with great success (very dry).

I need to find that stuff that Carl (nailzoo) uses... but can't find it here (probably becuase of our French labelling laws??)
And the cinnamon he mentioned...

Shall keep you all posted on what works.

I still haven't found a sunscreen that's paraben AND titanium whatcha-macallit 'free', and those things seem to trigger breakouts for me.

Thanks again everyone