Rosacea is a common skin disease that causes redness and swelling of the face and often produces small, red pus-filled boils. It most commonly affects middle-aged women with fair skin. If left untreated, it can get worse over time. Symptoms can occur for weeks or months and slowly subside before manifesting again. It can be confused with acne or allergic reactions or other skin problems. Rosacea is different from acne and the two skin changes can occur together. Unlike common acne, rosacea occurs more often in adults between the ages of 30 and 50. A specific cause of this disorder is not yet known, although it appears to be associated with genetic factors, a weakened immune system, and a bacterial or mite infection. There is no cure for rosacea, and treatments focus on symptom control.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Cleanse the Skin
Step 1. Choose an oil based cleaner
The sebum that clogs pores and can cause irritation during rosacea is an oil. The best substance to dissolve it (along with dirt, dead cell fragments, bacteria, etc.) is another oil. We are so used to thinking that these substances are bad for the skin that we often forget that it is its natural oils that protect and moisturize it. Therefore, we risk using detergents that contain often irritating chemicals.
- Choose the oil from a list of non-comedogenic products. Non-comedogenic means it doesn't clog pores. Some of these oils are more expensive than others, and some may be easier to find than others. The least comedogenic according to the American Academy of Dermatology with a score of 0 or 1 out of 5 are:
- Hemp seed oil (0)
- Mineral oil (0)
- Shea Butter (0)
- Sunflower oil (0)
- Castor oil (1): This can be moisturizing for some people, but it can have a reverse effect for others.
Step 2. Test the cleansing substance on a small area of the skin
Make sure your skin reacts well to the product you have chosen. Try and wait at least a day. If the skin condition gets worse, stop using the cleanser and try another one.
Avoid products that could trigger allergic reactions. For example, don't use hazelnut oil if you are allergic to this fruit
Step 3. Massage your face
Pour a small amount of oil on the palm of your hand to use it as a cleanser. Gently rub on your face for two minutes with small circular motions.
- Use this method twice a day or after sweating a lot.
- If you want, you can add essential oils to your oil. Add a drop or two to every half cup of oil. Some essences you can choose from include:
- Oats
- Chamomile
- Lavender
Step 4. Press a warm, damp washcloth to your face
Use a washcloth soaked in warm water and apply it to your face. Leave it there for about 20 seconds to help the skin absorb the oil.
Step 5. Gently cleanse the oil from your face
Use the warm, damp washcloth to wipe it off your skin slowly and gently. Rinse the cloth in warm water and repeat until the face is completely clean.
Step 6. Pat dry
Use a cotton towel to gently dry your face. Do not rub as this can irritate the skin.
Step 7. Apply a moisturizer
Once clean and dry, moisturize the skin with a specific oil-based cream. It doesn't have to be the same type you use in the cleaner. But if you notice that your skin is improving thanks to that cleanser, try a moisturizer made with the same oil.
Step 8. Use an oil-based cleanser on other affected areas
If rosacea affects the skin elsewhere on the body, you need to repeat the procedure you used for the face. Apply the oil, wait for it to be absorbed and rinse with warm water. Apply an oil-based moisturizer all over your body.
Step 9. Apply sunscreen
Protecting your skin also means protecting yourself from the sun and heat. Use a sunscreen if you plan to stay in the sun for a long time. Long usually means more than 15 minutes in full sun. Make sure you limit your exposure to sunlight.
If your skin is too sensitive for chemical sunscreen (the most popular sunscreen), consider trying one with physical sunscreens. This type of product contains ingredients that actually help reflect the sun's rays from the skin. Look for a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. You could also try a natural sunscreen, such as retinyl palmitate (a kind of vitamin A), vitamin E, or beta-carotene
Step 10. Use a cold pack to cool your face
Rosacea can get worse in heat, so keep your skin cool! You can make a cold compress by soaking a clean cotton towel in cool water. Use it to gently press on the skin to help reduce redness.
Part 2 of 4: Herbal Remedies
Step 1. Apply a blend of herbs and oil to the skin
Almost all herbal remedies used to treat rosacea are primarily anti-inflammatories - lavender, chamomile, ginger, basil, cinnamon, garlic, and turmeric. You can use dry herbs or essential oils mixed with the oil you use for the cleanser.
- Add half a teaspoon of dry herb or a drop or two of essential oil to a carrier oil. The latter can be the same used for the detergent.
- Mix the herb or essential oil well with the carrier and apply directly to the skin.
- Leave on overnight if possible, or for 30 minutes to an hour twice a day.
- Gently rinse with warm water.
- Pat your skin dry with a clean cotton towel.
Step 2. Pay attention to some herbs
For example, turmeric and cinnamon may stain the skin yellow or brown. Proceed with caution when using these herbs and be prepared for slightly yellowish or brownish undertones on the skin.
Step 3. Wash your skin with colloidal oatmeal
This is a special type of oatmeal that is commonly used as an emollient (moisturizer). It can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent to soothe and protect the skin
Put a small amount of oatmeal on your fingers and massage the skin in a soft, circular motion. Gently rinse and pat dry
Part 3 of 4: Changing Your Diet
Step 1. Try an anti-inflammatory diet
Since rosacea carries inflammatory processes with it, following a diet that can counteract them can be helpful. This type of regimen prioritizes whole foods, preferably organic. In addition, it excludes preservatives and additives.
- Some dishes known to be "anti-inflammatory" are salmon (with omega-3 fats), spinach, garlic, whole grains, beans and legumes, berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, blackberries), fresh fruit and vegetables such as cabbage, savoy cabbage, spinach and broccoli.
- Avoid all processed and processed foods, sugar and sugar substitutes, and red meat (except grass-fed).
Step 2. Eat more fruits and vegetables
Increase the amount so that it makes up about half of what you eat. Include different types of fruits, berries, nuts, and seeds. Be sure to include plenty of vegetables, especially green leafy ones like Swiss chard, spinach, mustard, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and vegetables from the garden.
Step 3. Avoid foods and drinks that make the skin red
Hot drinks, alcohol, coffee, and highly spiced foods can dilate blood vessels and cause hot flashes. Avoid them to reduce redness.
Step 4. Consider taking supplements
Several supplements multiply the body's natural abilities to fight inflammation, strengthen blood vessels, and provide other benefits to the skin. It is suggested to increase the intake of the following substances:
- Riboflavin: B vitamins are needed to correct a deficiency that can occur in people who have rosacea. Riboflavin can help skin cells grow.
- Pancreatin (8-10 × USP): Take 350 to 500 mg before meals. Pancreatin is a digestive enzyme that can decrease inflammation.
- Zinc: Take 60-75 milligrams of zinc every day. Be careful though. DO NOT take this amount of zinc for over three months. High zinc levels can be toxic. Alternatively, you can try local zinc applications. You can use a gel containing 15% azelaic acid, which is a natural substance that can help treat rosacea. Talk to your doctor about using azelaic acid.
- Vitamin C: Take 500 milligrams of vitamin C every day to help strengthen blood vessels.
Part 4 of 4: Diagnosis
Step 1. Learn to recognize the different types of rosacea
Rosacea is a common disease that occurs with the tendency of the skin to redden, mainly on the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. It can also appear on the ears, chest, and back. There are four main types of rosacea:
- Erythroteleangectatic rosacea: it manifests itself with redness and dilation of the blood vessels that have the appearance of a spider's web;
- Papulopustular rosacea: involves redness and swelling with acne-like pustules;
- Phimatous rosacea: the skin becomes thicker and more uneven;
- Ocular rosacea: the eyes have redness and severe irritation. The eyelids may swell. Ocular rosacea is often described as having a stye.
Step 2. Examine the signs of rosacea on the skin
A number of symptoms are commonly associated with the disease. Take a look at the skin using a mirror and check for any of the following:
- Hot flashes and redness in the center of the face;
- Spider veins (rupture of blood vessels)
- Swollen skin
- Sensitive skin;
- Skin with itching and burning sensation;
- The skin can be dry, wrinkled, or flaky;
- In papulopustular rosacea, acne with boils is common, especially in areas where the skin is very red;
- In phimatous rosacea, the nose and skin may have lumps and the pores of the skin may be very large;
- In ocular rosacea, the eyes appear watery or bloodshot and can be stinging, burning, and a foreign body sensation. In addition, they can be very sensitive to light.
Step 3. Determine if you have a tendency to get rosacea
The disorder is fairly common and typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. Affected people tend to be fair-skinned and have relatives who have contracted rosacea. Women are slightly more likely to get sick.
Also, people who tend to flare up more easily than others are more likely to get the disease
Step 4. Get a diagnosis from a doctor or dermatologist
Rosacea is mainly diagnosed with a physical exam. A doctor might recommend treatment with medications, moisturizers, and antibiotics. In principle it is not necessary to resort to these treatments, but a professional diagnosis is essential.
If the skin is thickened, laser surgery can be used to remove the extra layers of skin
Step 5. Tell the dermatologist if you are trying home remedies
Even if you use natural remedies and do not take any medications, you will still need to inform your dermatologist or doctor about your skin care routines. You can work together to find a good solution and he can inform you about the negative effects of some natural remedies.
