Popular On Line Rosacea Chat Forum Off Line Again

The ESFB Rosacea Forum made this announcement:

Due to the ongoing abuse of the Forum User Agreement, we will have to close this section until further notice. We are truly sorry for this inconvenience. ESFB Channel Discussion Forum Team.

Recognizing Rosacea

Rosacea is a progressive condition that affects the skin and sometimes the eyes. Symptoms can vary from person to person. The disease is characterized by four main symptoms: flushing, redness, bumps and pimples and visible blood vessels. Flushing, or blushing, is an early sign of rosacea. Some patients complain of a stinging pain that occurs during facial flushing. Persistent redness appears like a rash or sunburn across the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead. Red bumps or pus-filled pimples eventually appear in the area. In some patients, tiny blood vessels become visible near the surface of the skin.
The signs of rosacea appear primarily on the face. However, the scalp, neck, ears, chest and back can also be affected. Some patients may develop eye symptoms (irritation, redness and swelling). Over time, the condition can damage the cornea and lead to vision loss. In severe cases, patients with rosacea can develop a thickening of the skin on the nose characterized by swollen and bumpy excess tissue.
Four subtypes of rosacea have been identified. A patient may have one or more subtypes. Subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic rosacea) causes flushing and persistent redness. Some patients may also have visible blood vessels near the surface of the skin. Subtype 2 (papulopustular rosacea) leads to persistent redness and transient appearance of bumps and pimples. Subtype 3 (phymatous rosacea) causes a thickening of the skin, like an enlargement of the end of the nose. Subtype 4 (ocular rosacea) is identified by the presence of eye problems, like dry eye, burning and tearing, swollen eyelids, and potential corneal damage and loss of vision.

Prevalance of Rosacea

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 14 million Americans have rosacea. The condition is more common in women than in men. But men are more likely to develop severe symptoms. It’s more common in people with fair skin who blush easily, blonde hair and blue eyes. Signs typically first appear between 20 and 50. In some cases, the symptoms can cause extreme embarrassment, low self-esteem and loss of self-confidence.
The exact cause of rosacea isn’t known. Some experts theorize the symptoms are caused by inflammation related to the presence of a skin mite, called Demodex folliculorum (not the same as the common dust mite found in bedding). This tiny, transparent mite is found on nearly everyone’s skin. Stanford University Dermatologic Surgeon, Hayes Gladstone, M.D., says, in some people, the fecal matter deposited on the skin by the mites causes irritation that leads to chronic inflammation, redness, and other symptoms associated with rosacea. Other experts believe rosacea may be associated with Helicobacter pylori infection (the bacterium associated with peptic ulcer disease).
Rosacea symptoms are often aggravated after a person has been exposed to certain triggers (like foods, emotions, weather or irritants). A survey by the National Rosacea Society found some of the most common triggers to be: sunlight (reported by 81 percent of patients), emotional stress (79 percent), hot weather (75 percent), wind (57 percent), heavy exercise (56 percent), alcohol consumption (52 percent) and hot baths (51 percent). Some other common triggers include hot and spicy foods or drinks, chocolate and use of certain cosmetics.

Treating Rosacea With Psychodermatology

Some claim when a person has an emotional conflict like being depressed or anxious, it often spills over to their skin. So they say, when it comes to sick skin, if traditional treatments aren't working, you simply need to put your mind to it.
For decades, Joe Duke has struggled with skin problems, but his symptoms are more than skin deep."It makes you very self conscious of the people looking at you if you have red blotches", says Joe.
So Joe is facing his problem, with the help of a psychodermatologist, a new kind of doctor who believes in treating the physical disorder and emotional issues that may make it worse. Dr. Rick Fried says it's no secret the mind and skin are linked.
"Stress directly creates negative changes in the skin, that can make the skin do things you don't want it to do", says Fried.Negative changes that Dr. Fried says can cause many common breakouts, like psoriasis, acne, eczema, rosacea and even warts. Psychodermatologists treat the skin with traditional medication and the psychological factors with non-traditional therapy.

Dr. Nase Defines A Trigger

A trigger can cause a non-inflammatory flush (not accompanied by vessel leakage and inflammatory substances). These triggers you dont have to worry about the "pay for it the next day syndrome"

A trigger that causes an inflammatory flush -- these do make you pay for it the next day. Your doctor may suggest treatment right away with an antihistamine, a baby aspirin, a quick acting lipophiilic antibiotic, cleansing with a sodium sulfacetameide/sulfur cleanser, or applying noritate at night -- all of these before you actually see the bumps.

As with anything in medicine, it is much easier to prevent the inflammatory response and reduce the papular response then it is to reverse the inflammation once it is in full gear.

Can Herbals Heal Rosacea?

Herbs that heal
1. Evening Primrose Oil. The evening primrose plant opens in the evening, and emits a precious healing oil. This oil contains essential gamma linolenic acids that promote healing and anti-inflammatory actions within the body and skin. Gamma Linolenic acids also help to naturally promote weight loss. Evening primrose oil can be taken internally or applied externally for beautiful skin results. This healing oil decreases skin inflammation, stress hormone production, sebum production, and acne formation. Evening primrose has been found to relieve many inflammations within the body, including skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and lupus. Evening primrose oil calms PMS symptoms, menopause, fibrocystic breast pain, infertility, arthritis, and tooth pain. Evening primrose also reverses the effects of aging, and moisturizes the skin and hair.

2. Garlic. Garlic is a natural healing herb that strengthens the immune system, lowers blood pressure, purifies the blood, lowers cholesterol, prevents acne, clears the skin, aids in the reduction of tumors, prevents cancer, alleviates allergies, and helps to stop the cold and flu virus.

3. Olive Leaf. Green olive derivatives work to heal the human body and prevent aging. Good examples are Olive Oil and Olive Leaf. These are a natural internal antibiotic, antimicrobial, and antiviral for the body. If you take an olive leaf capsule when you feel a cold coming on, it will work to eliminate the virus within your body. Olive leaf is known to prevent and heal many ailments, and can help the skin to become clear.

4. Ginseng. Ginseng heals the body in many ways. Ginseng improves mental capacity, mood, concentration and memory. It relieves stress and decreases fatigue. Ginseng strengthens the body, and increases fertility and sexual stamina. It can also help to ease depression, and create feelings of positivity. Ginseng has also been found to prevent the cold and flu virus.

5. Aloe Vera Plants contain phytochemicals, which are healing chemicals that prevent diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Plants also are rich in vitamins and minerals that heal the body. Aloe is a good example. Aloe taken internally strengthens the immune system and heals stomach ailments. When aloe is applied externally to the surface of the skin, this nourishing plant extract naturally hydrates, increases collagen production, and repairs sun damaged skin. Aloe is a natural healer to the human body. It has been used for centuries to develop good health.

6. St. John's Wort. This healing herb relieves depression, nervous tension, fatigue, pain and PMS. It has also been found to ease breathing problems such as bronchitis, and can correct ailments of the reproductive system. Throughout earlier times in history, this herb was believed to treat mental disorders. Today it still is trusted to relieve depression, so much so that it is often referred to as a natural form of the pharmacuetical drug Prozac. More impressively, studies are in the early stages of suggesting that St. John's Wort helps to prevent the growth of harmful viruses within the body, including the HIV virus

In Support of The National Rosacea Society

In a recent letter from the NRS, thanking the RRF supporters, Mr. Sam Huff has revealed some interesting information about the NRS.
All donations from individuals, either via their web site, or via post are directed solely towards research funding. This has been the case for several years. The promotional and support activities of the NRS are funded from industry and other sources.
This means that everyone is able to directly fund rosacea research by donating to the NRS.
The letter is here http://rosacea-research.org/pdfs/NRSThankYou.pdf
One of the positive things to emerge of late is the dialogue between the RRFand the NRS. We have discovered that the NRS is indeed keen to expand its research funding program. Mr. Huff has also taken the opportunity to politely respond to public concerns about the operation of the NRS.
We all look forward to what the NRS and rosacea sufferers together can achieve. Please generously support the NRS now and into the future. It is only when rosacea sufferers decide to vote with their dollars that our future will be within our control.

davidp.--David Pascoe,

Milder Chemical Peels Preferred For Rosacea

Superficial chemical peels have a proven track record for correcting many difficult skin conditions including acne, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, psoriasis and skin-fighting degradation from chronological and environmental aging. The variety of blends available allows the skincare professional to customize protocols and effectively address specific skin conditions.
For treating acneic skin types, look for a modified Jessner’s solution with ingredients such as kojic acid for tyrosinase-inhibiting action and antibacterial properties. For hyperpigmentation, look for lightening ingredients such as kojic acid, azelaic acid, L-arbutin, licorice and Rumex crispus. Rosacea requires treatment with milder formulations than other conditions to avoid overheating skin and possibly causing flare-ups. Utilizing formulations containing the effective antiinflammatory ingredients bisabolol, willowherb and willow bark help keep sensitive skin types calm during and after treatment. Patients who are seeking skin rejuvenation or sun-damage repair, chemical peels with retinol, TCA, chasteberry and soy isoflavones will stimulate cell turnover with minimal irritation and excellent results.
Once the selected chemical peel has been applied to skin, the newer cells beneath the impacted stratum corneum are able to more effectively absorb beneficial nutrients needed to even skin tone, stimulate cell turnover and rebuild collagen—the skin’s support system—ultimately improving the overall health and appearance of the skin.
Following this loosening of the stratum corneum, it is an ideal time to spot-treat hyperpigmentation and fine lines with tyrosinase inhibitors, peptides and growth factors, as well as infuse weakened skin with restorative antioxidants and polyphenols that combat free-radical damage.
Introduce anti-inflammatory topicals during treatments to calm skin sensitized by UV overexposure, pollutants and irritating cosmetics. Customize treatments for dry and dehydrated skin with hygroscopic agents, such as hyaluronic acid, that attract and retain cellular moisture. Always seal and occlude the protocol with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.