Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition which principally affects the face and worsens with time if left untreated. It usually appears as flushing, redness, and bumps across the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Even the ears, chest, and back can be red all the time.
According to the U.S. government, more than 14 million people are living with rosacea. Most people who get rosacea are typically between 30 and 50 years old, fair-skinned, and often have blonde hair and blue eyes and other family members who had rosacea or severe acne.
Many physicians believe that rosacea is caused by a vascular disorder triggered by the nervous system, particularly when patients have a lot of stress. Some think increased blood flow during flushing leads to an increase in tissue fluid, which accumulates faster than the lymphatic system can remove it.
There are 4 types.
- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Redness, flushing, visible blood vessels.
- Papulopustular rosacea: Redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts.
- Phymatous rosacea: Skin thickens and has a bumpy texture.
- Ocular rosacea: Eyes red and irritated, eyelids can be swollen.
Research published in the August 2012 Journal of Medical Microbiology has linked seemingly invisible to the naked eye Demodex mites (which live on the skin of 20% to 80% of adults) as a cause of rosacea. The mite themselves are not harmful but when each mite poops or dies, they release bacteria (which they carry inside) into the skin which causes an immune reaction of the skin.
The researchers found changes in the skin brought on by age, stress, or illness sometimes allows the population of Demodex mites to swell and people with rosacea have more than 10 times as many Demodex mites on their skin as people without the condition.
Rosacea triggers (Eliminate as many as possible)
Some factors can aggravate rosacea or make it worse by increasing blood flow to the surface of the skin; these include: hot temperature foods & drinks, caffeine, spicy foods, dairy products, extremes of temperature, sunlight, hot baths, saunas, humidity, wind, stress, anxiety, anger, embarrassment, vigorous exercise, corticosteroids, elevated temperature from illness, some medications, chronic hypertension, alcohol (particularly wine).
We have found at our practice at the Tree of Life Wellness Center many patients have been able to significantly reduce or even eliminate their rosacea.
- Herbal Aloe Force Skin Gel (Herbal Answers) Contains fresh whole leaf aloe, Essiac Herbal combination and ionic Silver. Apply to your skin twice a day (morning and before bed). This specific formula kills off the bacteria produced by the Demodex mites and heals the skin, eliminating the redness and bumps without any side effects like prescription medications! How long it takes is different for everyone, but usually noticeable improvement is seen in 4-5 weeks.
- After washing your skin spray your face with Colloidal Silver 10 ppm to kill off any bacteria or mites. For people whose eyes are affected by rosacea, putting a couple of drops of Colloidal Silver 10 ppm in each eye 2x day is helpful, it may feel a little stinging at first, but that goes away as the bacteria is killed off. Silver gel can also be applied to infected skin pustules / acne and around the eyes.
- Modulate (Wakunaga) is a plant sterol that helps to stabilize the immune system to keep it from over reacting.
- Curmumin Phytosome 500 mg ( Jarrow Formulas) An anti-inflammatory to calm skin reaction.
- MSM methylsulfonylmethane supports proper cell structure, reverses free-radical damage and repairs connective tissue such as the skin.
- Grape seed extract helps strengthen blood vessels, reduces inflammation and maintains elastin an important protein in connective tissues.
- Relora (Lifetime Vitamins) is an herbal combination of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodedron amurense which decreases the stress/inflammation reaction without making you sleepy.
Try these recommendations I have used successfully with my patients. Be consistent for 2-3 month and soon you should see a significant improvement !
Telephone and in-office appointments are available, call 508-336-4242
Jane Jansen Holistic Practitioner Tree of Life Wellness Center
Host for Holistic Healthline Radio