Rosacea Blog

Useful links:

Finacea website

Just to re-cap, it seems that finacea is only of use on the inflammatory papules and pustules, not on the underlying vascular disorder.

Lots of doctors seem pretty lax about this. I think they find that the goggles get in the way.

Jim posts his experience:

Quote:

"Now, I am wearing surgically implanted eye lens implants which (partially) correct those cataract-induced vision defects that just "happened" to appear, then grew at an unprecedented rate, and nearly blinded me within 1 year of tx #5, back in late 2001."

"Laser Therapy Improves Rosacea Skin Sensitivity".

Aurelia posts a final report on her use of ivermectin use (to kill demodex mites):

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/rosacea-support/message/64452

Quote:

"I feel optimistic that things are on the right track, but of course we're all different. And some of us are rather more different than others!"

Rosacea with seb-derm is often discussed on the forums. It seems to occurr quite frequently along with rosacea, which makes the treatment of it especially difficult.

A number of people have posted that C02 laser caused or greatly aggrevated their rosacea.

e.g.

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rosacea/msg/0f8758a9d3cf61d2

Quote:

"Please dont confuse CO2 laser with photoderm though. I had CO2 laser
for acne scarring, which caused rosacea. I dont think you ever want
to do CO2 (full face) when you have rosacea, this is the WRONG laser
for it."

There are often conversations on the support groups about this. The *key* is difference between rosaceans and normal population. I know that reynauds and erythromelalgia crop up occasionally on the forums (particularly reynauds).

As a personal anecdote I find if I have a headache my rosacea is pretty much always worse too. I get that "painful face" feeling.

Another person who has steroid-induced-rosacea.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/rosacea-support/message/64221

It is sad that doctors are still prescribing topical steroids to treat facial redness. This pushes many into full rosacea and makes things much worse.

Rick agrees.

Can rosacea be cured?

Not yet.

However, it seems that it can be reversed and nearly eliminated. Most doctors and derms unfortunately do not know about the techniques to help reverse rosacea. It seems like for a lot of people the best step is proper vascular laser treatment. Check out reports from people who have had this treatment for their rosacea. Frustratingly, some people respond better than others. This form of treatment is advancing steadily with new improvements in treatment protocols and machines.

Update by Aurelia. She has been using oral ivermectin to try and get rid of mites which may be a secondary hazard for some rosaceans.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/rosacea-support/message/64105

Quote:

"Now, the often-puffy inner cheeks are completely flat and the nasal swelling has significantly reduced, but the most dramatic change has been to that central strip of worst skin."

People are starting to post their experiences with ivermectin. This is an oral prescription that kills demodex mites. Seems like these mites are a secondary event to the vascular cause of rosacea but that for some people (primarily those with papules / pustules and angry face syndrome) their eradication may help symptoms.

Post about experience with ivermectin

Interesting post by mike on rosacea-support about his positive experience with low-dose accutane.

There are many on rosacea-support who have been pushed into rosacea by high-dose accutane. You and your doctor need to be very aware of the differences.

Abstract below. I find the impact of low-dose accutane on the previous scarring very interesting.

Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 2003;23(2-3):41-6.
Low-dose schema of isotretinoin in acne vulgaris.
Mandekou-Lefaki I, Delli F, Teknetzis A, Euthimiadou R, KarakatsanisG.
In severe papulopustular and in nodulocystic/conglobate acne, oral isotretinoin is the treatment of choice. It is also required forpatients with moderate to severe acne, especially when acne scars start to occur A new therapeutic approach consists of a low-dose regimen of isotretinoin. We performed a comparative study of high-and low-dose schemas of isotretinoin per os for the treatment of acne. The purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic effect and tolerability of low doses of isotretinoin in the treatment ofacne vulgaris and compare low-dose with high-dose regimens. Sixty-four patients (35 women and 29 men) with different types and grades of acne vulgaris were divided into two treatment groups of 32patients, in a trial that compared a low dose of 0.15-0.40 mg/kg perday with a high dose of 0.5-1.0 mg/kg per day. These regimens were analyzed with reference to clinical history of acne, baseline investigations, dose and response to isotretinoin, clinical and laboratory adverse effects, relapses and cost of therapy. The mean success rate of the low-dose schema was 69%. The total dose up to120 mg/kg should be followed for optimal results (success rate of91%) and avoidance of relapses. The low-dose schema produced fewer adverse effects and offered a very beneficial effect on pre-existings carring. Our results confirm the beneficial effect of the low-dose schema. We recommend a total dose > or = 120 mg/kg, as this therapeutic regimen of isotretinoin has proven to be the mostsuccessful in preventing relapses and scarring.