"Rosacea - Natural Alternatives to Prescription Medications"

Rosacea

Because it causes acne-effects on the skin, it can have major psychological and social problems if left untreated.

In severe cases, the nose becomes swollen and bumpy. This condition gave the late comedian W.C. Fields his trademarked bulbous nose.

On this page, I give an overview of rosacea, its causes and symptoms, conventional treatments and natural remedies that may help.

Until recently, scientists were unsure as to what caused rosacea.

However, scientists at the University of California in San Diego, have determined that there were several abnormal factors causing this condition.

In the laboratory, scientists observed that certain antimicrobial peptides, which are certain chemicals that help your body to defend itself against bacterial infections, caused the same characteristic symptoms, including redness of the skin and pimples.

When the researchers looked at individuals with this disease, they all had far more peptides than normal.

Furthermore, a precursor form of this peptide, called cathelicidin, normally functions to protect the skin from infection.

In patients with rosacea, they had too much of this particular peptide, and it was of a different type than what would be normally found in people without this skin condition.

Additionally, they had greater amounts of enzymes called stratum corneum tryptic enzymes (SCTE). These enzymes cause the precursor to change into the disease-causing peptide.

When they injected laboratory mice with cathelicidin, it was noted that skin inflammation increased, thus proving that these abnormalities caused the disease.

• Alcohol
• Exercise
• Hot baths
• Hot weather
• Sun and wind exposure
• Stress
• Spicy foods
• Swings in temperature from hot to cold or cold to hot

• A flushed face with pimples or bumps on various locations around the face
• Red areas called plaques appear in various locations in the surrounding skin areas
• The appearance of tiny, web-like veins on the face
• A burning feeling on the face, especially when creams or medications are applied
• Dry, red, irritated eyes
• A thickening of the skin
• Facial swelling, known as edema, may occur
• The development of a red, bulbous nose (rhinophyma)
• A tendency to blush easily

Antibiotic creams may be used to treat the redness or pimples

Stronger medications may be prescribed including Accutane and Retin-A

He may also recommend you clean your face with a mild, non-abrasive cleanser, then rinsing with lukewarm water, blotting the face dry

He may recommend you use a sunscreen when you're out in the sun. Be sure to use one that has a SPF of 15 or higher

• Chrysanthellum Indicum Cream - A cream that contains an extract taken from the herb chrysanthellum indicum may help strengthen facial capillaries
• Green tea cream - in one study of 60 women, who applied green tea cream to their faces twice daily, they experienced a significant reduction in the number of red bumps and pimples on their skin
• Niacinamide cream - Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 has been used as a topical treatment for this condition
• Licorice - One study examined the effect of application of Licorice to 62 individuals with mild to moderate facial redness. It was noted there was significant improvements in their skin colors after being assessed at four weeks and eight weeks
• Digestive enzymes - Some individuals with this condition often experience indigestion after eating. One study found a deficiency of the pancreatic enzyme lipase, an enzyme that helps digest fat. When these patients were given digestive enzymes, their skin conditions improved, as did their indigestion
• B Vitamins - Inadequate levels of Riboflavin can be associated with this condition. One study found that dermodex folliculorum mites, which are normally found on the skin, appear in greater numbers in patients whose skin are deficient in riboflavin
• Azelaic acid cream - This cream is derived from wheat, rye and barley and appears to have antimicrobial actions, and may reduce skin redness and pimples
• Apple cider vinegar - Apple cider vinegar is a home remedy often recommended for this condition. It is thought that it stimulates the release of digestive enzymes that help normalize the bacterial balance in the intestines

Here are a few other natural remedies that may help:

• Aloe
• Betaine hydrochoride
• Burdock
• Chamomile
• Red clover
• Rose hips
• Selenium
• Zinc

In conclusion, rosacea is a skin condition that can cause a loss of self-confidence and self-esteem if left untreated. Although it can affect anyone, fair skinned individuals who tend to blush easily are thought to be at greatest risk for developing it.

While there is no known cure for this condition, numerous medications can help control it and prevent it from worsening. Short of those, some of the natural remedies mentioned above may help.