06.14.08

Rosacea–some recommendations for controlling inflammation naturally

Posted in Rosacea Facts at 9:57 pm by Administrator

Rosacea, or vascular instability aggravated by an underlying inflammatory condition which may or may not be chronic, is on the increase. Many people are diagnosed with rosacea, at the rate of about 16 million per year in the US and climbing. Many others suspect they may suffer from rosacea because they have many of the symptoms—permanent or patchy redness and/or small eruptions on the cheeks that are not pimples—all suggestive enough that they should see a dermatologist to get a diagnosis.

While we do not know what causes rosacea we do know its identifying characteristics, and a primary one has to do with flushing episodes. Everyone is familiar with the sensation of blushing. The flushing may be triggered by UV exposure, exercise, certain foods, allergic reactions, emotional stress or heat, among other things. In normal skin flushing caused by capillary expansion recedes quickly–once the stressor is removed capillaries shrink, usually within minutes. With rosacea the capillaries expand and stay dilated for much longer periods of time. If you are still red after 10-15 minutes you may be dealing with rosacea.

Treatment
It is important to get a specialist’s diagnosis before deciding on a treatment course. An error common to people acting on their own is to treat rosacea like a case of adult acne, understandable because they can have quite similar symptoms. However, the goal of any treatment program for rosacea is to decrease vascular dilation through vascular constriction, which will minimize flushing of any type.

Diet
One of the most important factors in treating any skin condition is diet. Here are some recommendations for controlling inflammation.

1) Avoid heavy-meal flushing.
Three small meals with breakfast being the most important and grazing or snacks in between is best for limiting this kind of flushing. This will maintain the proper blood sugar content for energy to prevent fatigue or exhaustion. The type of food that you eat is also very important as various foods stimulate blood flow differently. Bear in mind that simple carbohydrates such as donuts, sugars, alcohol, etc. enter the blood stream quickly causing hyperglycemia (high glucose spikes). This rapid influx of sugar into the blood stream is a potent vasodilator. Fiber intake decreases the amount of food that the stomach has at one time and prolongs digestion; therefore, it prevents the sudden influx into the blood stream with the resultant flushing.

2) Foods to add: apple, burdock, broccoli, celery, celery root, cold-water fish& flax seeds (contain Omega-3s which quenches inflammatory cascade), onions (contain high amounts of histamine-quenching quercetin which inhibits production of leukotrienes,) berries (high in bioflavonoids), garlic, (rich in sulfer and selenium), cruciferous vegetables–broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, chard, mustard greens, rutabagas, turnips and kale– (contain antioxidants and the compound sulforaphane) turmeric (contains curcumin, a powerful, anti-inflammatory agent excellent for treating inflammatory problem such as arthritis, liver and gall bladder problems. It has been found to block the production of certain prostaglandins and to have effects on a par with cortisone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.)
Supplementation will also help, especially Vitamins A, E and C and the mineral zinc, known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Everyone should supplement with 1-2 tsps of cod liver oil daily to get sufficient Omega-3 EFAs.

3) Foods to avoid: nightshades (tomato, eggplant, peppers and potatoes) (contain solamine, a calcium inhibitor) dairy except goat and sheep, transfats and animal fats as a source of arachidonic acid, excess salts and sugars (they change cell membrane fluidity)

4) Liquids: Fresh juices such as carrot and apple are a good way to stay vitaminized and hydrated. Herbal infusions are another good way to maintain a high-level liquid intake and treat your skin at the same time. Skullcap, vervain and chamomile are good for the nervous system, burdock, yellow dock and nettle nourish the skin and cool the blood, and borage, licorice and evening primrose are good to maintain hormonal balance.
Don’t forget water. The myriad benefits of water include eliminating metabolic waste build up. Water is absolutely necessary for strong, flexible plasma membranes of all cells. Vary tea and juice intake with 3-4 glasses of water a day.

Topical Treatments
There are some treatment never’s when it comes to rosacea. Please never:
1) Treat rosacea like common acne. Sulfer-containing topicals, astringents and alcohol routinely used to control acne can seriously aggravate a rosacea-type condition and create setbacks in controlling it. Also avoid topical retinoids (such as tretinoin, Retin-A Micro, Renova, Avita, Differin), benzoyl peroxide, topical azelaic acid, triclosan, acne peels, and chemical peels.
2) Over exfoliate. Too much exfoliation compromises barrier function and increases susceptibility to UV rays. Avoid topical exfoliants (scrubs and enzyme peels), AHA’s, microdermabrasion.
3) Use certain chemicals. Rosacea sufferers often develop an intolerance to ingredients well-supported by the general population, including: toners and astringents that contain alcohol and witch hazel, chemical sunscreens esp. with benzophenones and/or avobenzone, and moisturizers and lotions that contain propylene glycol, D&C colors, PEG products, fragrances, alcohol, witch hazel, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, mineral oil, lanolin, sulfur, phenoxyethanol, hydroxybenzoates (parabens)
4) Use steroids. Steroids like hydrocortisone suppress inflammation so they may look like they are working at first, but it‘s quite possible that a “rebound effect” could make matters worse down the road. With a rebound effect the rosacea symptoms return with a vengeance and are very difficult to control.

Alternative Topical Treatments
Two factors play an important role in creating rosacea: UV exposure and compromised barrier protection. Taking these two factors into account a natural program of treatment topicals may work on four fronts: protection, anti-oxidant supplementation, barrier repair and combating inflammation.

1) Protection: With rosacea prone skin we are probably looking at years of UV exposure that has done considerable cell damage. In particular UVA exposure (in the range between 320 and 400 nm) damages the elastin and collagen fibres of connective tissue, which causes the skin to age prematurely. It can also cause numerous phototoxic and photo-allergic reactions, and the damaging influence of UVB radiation may be intensified by UVA radiation. Sensitive, mature and rosacea skin types especially require UVA protection daily and year round. Zinc oxide provides protection up to and even past the 400 nm range, and is the best non-allergenic ingredient available for protection against the longer wave-lengths of ultra-violet light.

2) Anti-oxidants: UV radiation is also implicated in the formation of ionic species (free radicals), which are capable of intervening oxidatively in biochemical processes. To prevent these reactions additional antioxidants and/or free-radical scavengers should be incorporated into cosmetic or dermatological formulations. All skin types should look for anti-oxidants like Vit E, Vit C, alpha-lipoic acid, and Co-enzyme-Q (idebenone) in their topicals.

3) Repair: Sensitive, dry or problematic skin often starts with a compromised “permeable” barrier (the top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, which retains moisture). Products having an occlusive action or lipid-substituting products which lower the TEWL (transepidermal water loss) are recommended for barrier regeneration. Sensitive, mature, rosacea and even acneic skin types should be aware that lipids are the skin’s first line of defense against invasion by bacteria, pollution and UV exposure. Lipids with a good Omega3/6 EFA ratio like emu oil and krill oil are the most effective repair oils as they replenish the ceramides in the stratum corneum.

4) Combatting inflammation: topical products containing effective anti-inflammatories like curcumin, licorice root and Sophora flavascens can help to minimize flare-ups when they occur.

Marie-Veronique topical products that are excellent for treating rosacea-prone skin may be found at:
http://www.marieveronique.net/index.php?page=skin-care-protocol–rosacea-prone-skin

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