Home Remedies: Rosacea

In our youths, we may have loved seeing W. C. Fields perform his film antics. And certainly, his appearance was a big part of his act. His trademark bulbous nose made all his attempts at dignity, valour, and gallantry seem more buffoonish than even he could imagine.

But much as we coveted his wit and humor, few people longed for his nose. In fact, if Fields had been a star when color films began to appear, we might have been more distracted than amused by his sublime proboscis. Because along with the nose, he also sported a red rash and a bevy of broken blood vessels around his cheeks, nose, and chin.

Fields suffered from rosacea, a chronic acnelike condition that can turn your face beet red as blood vessels widen and engorge with blood. And today, long after the demise of the silent-film era, there are still about 13 million Americans who have to deal with the same condition.

Left untreated, rosacea tends to worsen over time and can spread to other parts of the face, including the eyes. With advanced cases, the nose may become red and swollen. On W. C. Fields, it was funny. But it’s no laughing matter when it happens to you.

Unfortunately, rosacea cannot be cured and it rarely reverses itself. While the condition will get worse without medical treatment, patients who follow a treatment plan prescribed by a dermatologist can successfully control rosacea and even see marked improvement. These tips can also help.

Try This First

Fight flushing. Facial flushing, caused by the dilation of blood vessels, is the trigger mechanism for rosacea, says Mary P. Lupo, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. So simply avoid anything that makes your face flush.

The top five flushing triggers are emotional stress, heat, humidity, spicy foods, and alcohol, Dr. Lupo says. Other triggers include activities that get you sweating, hot beverages, and sunlight. And certain foods, like chocolate, can bring it on.

But what bothers one person may not cause a problem in another. You need to pinpoint your personal flushing trip wires, according to the National Rosacea Society, then change your habits to avoid them.

Other Wise Ways

Apply a cold compress. When the flush hits, soak a washcloth in ice-cold water (or equal parts cold milk and ice water) and hold it on the affected area, recommends K. William Kitzmiller, M.D., dermatologist in private practice in Cincinnati. The cold will cause dilated blood vessels to constrict and will halt the inflammatory process, he explains. Apply for 10 minutes three times a day, as needed.

Reduce stress. stress ranks high on the trigger list of many people with rosacea. What’s the best way to reduce stress? Dr. Kitzmiller recommends the tried-and-true approach: regular healthy meals and snacks, reduced caffeine, regular exercise, and eight hours of sleep.

When you’re feeling stressed, try deep-breathing exercises, he says. Inhale and count to 10, then exhale and count to 10. Repeat this exercise several times.

Cleanse with care. It is important not to use abrasives or astringents, says Dr. Lupo. She recommends extraordinarily gentle liquid cleansers, such as Cetaphil, that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. This ingredient cleans skin without any stimulation that might cause flushing. You can wash your face up to two or three times a day, but always use cool water, Dr. Lupo cautions.

Avoid products that contain alcohol or irritants. For a gentle wipe, you can combine one tablespoon of chilled witch hazel with one pint of chilled water, Dr. Lupo says.

Managing Your Meds

Certain drugs can cause facial flushing, resulting in rosacea flare-ups. Vasodilators, used in the treatment of cardiovascular and circulatory diseases, can worsen rosacea because they dilate blood vessels, says Mary P. Lupo, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Although you can ask your doctor to adjust the dosage, you should realize that you’ll need to discuss the drawbacks and benefits of going off medication, says Dr. Lupo. If you have a circulatory problem, for instance, you may need the medication to maintain healthy blood flow to your limbs—even though you may not like what it does to the appearance of your nose or cheeks. So there’s definitely a trade-off. “It’s better to have rosacea than to lose your foot to poor circulation,” says Dr. Lupo.

Also, long-term use of topical steroids, such as prescription-strength and over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams often used for rashes or itchy skin, has been found to aggravate rosacea or induce rosacea-like symptoms, says Dr. Lupo.

Make for shade. “Stay out of the sun. Period,” warns Dr. Lupo. “The sun will only set off a flare-up,” she says, and no amount of sunscreen will prevent it. This is because sun exposure heats your skin, which dilates capillaries and leads to flushing, she says.

Of course, there are times when you have to cross the sun’s path, and even in the shade you’re exposed to indirect sunlight, Dr. Lupo notes. She suggests using a sunscreen containing titanium dioxide, such as Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock. Unlike sunscreens made with other chemicals, titanium dioxide does not irritate rosacea-prone skin.

Drink with care. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, so it often induces flare-ups in people with rosacea. Monitor how your rosacea reacts to alcoholic beverages. If it aggravates your condition, reduce your intake or avoid alcohol entirely, advises Dr. Lupo.

Try chamomile. Chamomile is an herbal remedy that may soothe rosacea-ravaged skin, says Dr. Lupo. Steep a handful of pure chamomile or several chamomile tea bags in three cups of boiling water for 10 minutes, she says, then strain the liquid and put it in the refrigerator. When you need a cold compress treatment, dip a cotton cloth in the chamomile and apply it to the affected area until you feel relief.