Content - Beauty/Wellbeing

ROSACEA

Though it doesn't have a cure, treatments can control and reduce the signs and symptoms. If you experience persistent redness of your face, see your doctor for a diagnosis and proper treatment. Rosacea is a progressive condition and if left untreated will slowly get worse.

Signs and Symptoms

• Red areas on the face - capillaries become dilated under the skin.
• Small red bumps or pustules on nose, cheeks, forehead and chin
• Tendency to flush or blush easily

Causes
Unknown. Several theories exist,although are unproven at this time.

• Blood vessel disorder causing vessels in the face to swell.
  
• Chronic bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal system caused by Helicobacter pylori infection
• Sun damage may play a contributing role
  
• Stress leading to vitamin deficiencies

There is little evidence that alcohol causes Rosacea. Consumption of alcohol can cause flushing of the skin and therefore may worsen the redness associated with Rosacea.

Triggers
A number of factors can aggravate Rosacea by increasing blood flow to the area

• Hot foods or beverages
• Spicy foods
  
• Alcohol and the use of skin products containing alcohol
• Temperature extremes especially humidity
• Exposure to sunlight
• Stress, anger,embarrassment
• Strenuous exercise
• Hot baths and saunas
• Corticosteroids
• Drugs that dilate blood vessels

Self Care

• Minimise your exposure to anything that causes a flare up (stress, spicy foods, alcohol)
• Keep a list of flare up triggers and try to identify what triggers the condition in you.
• Avoid irritating your face by rubbing or touching it. Do not squeeze putsiles
• Avoid facial products with high levels of alcohol, or other skin irritants in them
• Use products labeled non-comedogenic. This means they won't clog your pores and sweat glands.
• Try make-up products that are designed to counter any redness
• Keep the skin clean using very mild cleanser and luke warm (not hot or cold).
• Do not rub dry - pat gently.

Medical Treatment
Although it cannot be eliminated completely, treatment can relieve its signs and symptoms this may combine a combination of prescription treatments and self care measures.
Beware that in some instances topical steroid creams can make the condition worse.

Nutritional Help

• Include as many organic raw vegetables and grains. These tend to provide higher levels of nutrients.
• Avoid saturated fats as these promote inflammation. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, cheese, chocolate, dairy products, sugar, and spicy foods for the same reason
• Investigate the possibility of food allergies. Keeping a food diary for one month can help pinpoint the foods that trigger a increase in symptoms or exacerbate the condition.
  
• Primrose Oil contains linolelic acid which is s good promoter of skin healing
• Vitamin A - is necessary for the healing of the skin and construction of new skin (do not exceed the RDA if you are pregnant)
• Vitamin B - can help manage stress and are necessary for all cellular functions helping maintain healthy skin. times a day. B2 and B12 have been found to be particularly helpful in cases of Rosacea
• Zinc - for tissue repair.

We advise seeking advice from a Naturopath or Nutritionist before taking supplements over the Recommended Daily Allowance

Herbal Help

• Aloe Vera has excellent healing properties, can be applied topically to dry skin (if irritation occurs discontinue use)
• Burdock root, borage seed, dandelion root parsley and yellow dock root improve skin tone.
• Bromelain and turmeric help control inflammation.
• Nettle and Rosemary improve skin tone and nourish the skin promoting healing.
• Sarsaparilla and alfalfa have been known to improve skin tone.

See a registered Herbalist to acheive the best results from Herbal Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine
Treatment revolves around clearing Heat (Qing Re), stopping itching (Zhi Yang) and arresting secretion (Shou Se)

Contact the The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine or the British Acupuncture Council to find a practitioner.

Ayurvedic Recommendations
Rosacea is thought to be linked to a Pitta Imbalance, which leads to inflammation, red and itching skin and rashes.
Aggravated by anger, tension,stress, hot weather, spicy sour foods, seafoods, canned and preserved foods.
Treatment - do not use astringents. Use herbal teas or tinctures such as alfalfa, chickweed, mint, nettles and raspberry to help rebalance pitta.
Essential Oils such as chamomile, lavender, passion flower and skull cap can be used externally to calm Pitta imbalance.
Treatments for inflammation include echinacea, goldenseal and oregon graperoot

Recommended products

• Jane Iredale Mineral Make-up (available online in May / instore now)- 4-in-one foundation/concealer/spf/powder tones down redness. non-comedogenic
• Suki Facial Clay - brightens skin and reduces inflammation in as little as 5 minutes. Helps rid the skin of blemishes, impurities and toxins.
• Suki Toner - with white willow. Alcohol free. Chamomile, tea tree and white willow and powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients. For blemishes, Rosacea, and ezcema prone skin.
• Suki Carrot Moisture Serum - For Rosacea and red irritated skin, use as a nighttime moisturiser. Contains rosehip that will help with scarring.
• Suki Facial Crème - reduces inflammation and redness. Helps heal the skin. Very low alcohol content. Contains food grade organic aloe vera
• Ila Face Mask for revitalising skin - Based on Green Clay, Rose hip and Argan Oil. Does not contain alcohol
• Ila Hydrolat toner for Hydrating skin - pure Rose water no added ingredients. Very soothing
• Organic Apoteke Detox Mask - for blemishes skin contains Dead sea mud which soothes the skin. The whole range is alcohol free.
• Jo Wood Organics Usiku Body Dew - contains extracts of anti inflammatory arnica and calendula help reduce redness and irritation. The body lotion and oil contain Arctic bilberry which is high in fatty acids.
• Paul Richards Organic Calendula/Hypericum Ointment - for skin soreness and blemishes
• Stem Balancing Moisturiser - heals and rebalances oily skin. Contains Willow Bark for cell renewal and blemish fighting Niacinamde (vit B 3)
• Stem Smooth Skin Exfolliant - a particularly gentle exfoliant for sensitive skin.
• Stem Cleansing Milk - with organic chamomile to help reduce inflammation
• Pai Chamomile and Rosehip Moisturiser for Sensitive Skin - anti-inflammatory chamomile and manuka oil, and Rosehip to regenerate cells.
• VegEPA capsules - contain omega 3 and 6 which helps reduce inflammation and reverse the damage caused by chronic inflammation. Combine with Vege Co to help absorption of the fatty acids. Studies suggest the EPA may protect the skin from UV skin damage. EPA has a blood thinning effect which boosts circulation and transports more oxygen to the skin to rejuvenate the surface layer