I have SEVERE facial flushing, which didn't seem to start until after I started a ZIANA(topical acne gel) + DOXYCYCLINE(oral antibiotic) combo to treat acne. It completely got rid of all the little bumps that I had and my skin was clear and woderful. I was SO confident. However, about 2-3 weeks in, I would get randomly flushed and my skin would burn, itch, and get hot. In fact, it even looked swollen at times. I was so embarassed . And ofcourse everyone pointed it out and/or teased me (I even had a grown man in one of my college classes tease me about it infront of my classmates!!!) which made it worse. I began to flush even in anticipation of flushing infront of someone!! I stopped using it and the flushing continued and got worse, it wasn't until the summer that it calmed down (I had begun using it in the spring, so it took a few months) literally EVERYTHING triggered the flush.
At this point, I would lovingly take back all of the acne if someone can get rid of the red. I go out with friends and I keep to myself, I hate meeting new people, avoid pictures, laughing (which triggers it), smiling too much triggers it, when i change my clothes, just pulling my shirt over my head triggers it, exercise, horseplay with my brother, yellling, stress, embarassment, and then all the typical triggers such as extreme heat/cold, spicy food, hot food, sun, showers, etc. My skin has a habit of getting dry and flakey in some areas & oily in others, my skin often feels tight and laughing or smiling or opening my mouth to take a bite of a big sandwhich, makes me feel like my skin is tearing, Even laying my face on my pillow is so irritating.
I just want to laugh and smile and be active and vibrant like my old self, it seems an unnatainable goal at this point. The dermatologist who prescribed the ziana & doxycycline didnt seem phased by my symptoms. She has a huge business and is very quick in/out. She barely looked at me, I had trouble getting her to stay and listen to what I had to say. Finally she said "yeah...you have rosacea, there's nothing you can do, and prescribed ORACEA + FINACEA. I cried ALL the way home. I finally tried the two medicines since they were supposed to help with the rosacea and it was like dejavu. The symptoms were at the same peak as they were last spring when I was irritated by the acne medicine. I hesitantly went back one more time(I shouldn't have let this awful woman have any more of my money!!!) and I complained about my symptoms once more along my frustration with my acne. She prescribed accutane and walked out. I did NOT fill this presctription, I AM NOT going back to her and I DON'T know what to do and i cant seem to find any good dermatologists in my area.
I have read numerous posts on this website and others, but am so afraid to experiment considering what this has done to my face. I did read somthing about using vasodilators (oxymetazoline hydrochloride), such as those found in nasal decongestants like affarin or vicks nasal spray. I am aware you can have rebound congestian after using it for too long, so what about rebound redness?! I have also read that the oils in vicks vapor rub help roasacea if it is eczema related or related to an overgrowth of demodex mites. I would like to get tested for the mites and if I have them, I am hestiant about using the premethin(sp?) or ivermcetin (ITS DEADLY FOR DOGS WHY WOULD I RUB IT ON MY FACE?!). Still, I will not jump the gun. Has anyone tried the vasodilators?? I was also looking into some IPL laser treatments, but the idea of that on my face scares me more than anything.
Thank you anyone who has taken the time to read my rant . Any insight you can give would be greatly appreciated!!
Also, it may help to know that I flush sometimes randomly and it is EVERYWHERE on my face except for my eye sockets and directly around my lips. My mother has rosacea, however, hers started much later in life and she has the classic symptoms, and is red only on her chin nose and the apples of her cheeks and a little on her forehead. She also used to get severe oozing for several days after a bad flare up, where as I have no risidual effects the next day & no oozing or sores, just acme, which includes whiteheads and bumpy skin.
At this point, I would lovingly take back all of the acne if someone can get rid of the red. I go out with friends and I keep to myself, I hate meeting new people, avoid pictures, laughing (which triggers it), smiling too much triggers it, when i change my clothes, just pulling my shirt over my head triggers it, exercise, horseplay with my brother, yellling, stress, embarassment, and then all the typical triggers such as extreme heat/cold, spicy food, hot food, sun, showers, etc. My skin has a habit of getting dry and flakey in some areas & oily in others, my skin often feels tight and laughing or smiling or opening my mouth to take a bite of a big sandwhich, makes me feel like my skin is tearing, Even laying my face on my pillow is so irritating.
I just want to laugh and smile and be active and vibrant like my old self, it seems an unnatainable goal at this point. The dermatologist who prescribed the ziana & doxycycline didnt seem phased by my symptoms. She has a huge business and is very quick in/out. She barely looked at me, I had trouble getting her to stay and listen to what I had to say. Finally she said "yeah...you have rosacea, there's nothing you can do, and prescribed ORACEA + FINACEA. I cried ALL the way home. I finally tried the two medicines since they were supposed to help with the rosacea and it was like dejavu. The symptoms were at the same peak as they were last spring when I was irritated by the acne medicine. I hesitantly went back one more time(I shouldn't have let this awful woman have any more of my money!!!) and I complained about my symptoms once more along my frustration with my acne. She prescribed accutane and walked out. I did NOT fill this presctription, I AM NOT going back to her and I DON'T know what to do and i cant seem to find any good dermatologists in my area.
I have read numerous posts on this website and others, but am so afraid to experiment considering what this has done to my face. I did read somthing about using vasodilators (oxymetazoline hydrochloride), such as those found in nasal decongestants like affarin or vicks nasal spray. I am aware you can have rebound congestian after using it for too long, so what about rebound redness?! I have also read that the oils in vicks vapor rub help roasacea if it is eczema related or related to an overgrowth of demodex mites. I would like to get tested for the mites and if I have them, I am hestiant about using the premethin(sp?) or ivermcetin (ITS DEADLY FOR DOGS WHY WOULD I RUB IT ON MY FACE?!). Still, I will not jump the gun. Has anyone tried the vasodilators?? I was also looking into some IPL laser treatments, but the idea of that on my face scares me more than anything.
Thank you anyone who has taken the time to read my rant . Any insight you can give would be greatly appreciated!!
Also, it may help to know that I flush sometimes randomly and it is EVERYWHERE on my face except for my eye sockets and directly around my lips. My mother has rosacea, however, hers started much later in life and she has the classic symptoms, and is red only on her chin nose and the apples of her cheeks and a little on her forehead. She also used to get severe oozing for several days after a bad flare up, where as I have no risidual effects the next day & no oozing or sores, just acme, which includes whiteheads and bumpy skin.