Rosacea is a chronic skin condition causing inflammation of the face. It usually appears as redness, and may include skin eruptions that can be mistaken for acne. Misdiagnosed as eczema, blushing, spider veins, sunburn or conjunctivitis, it is diagnosed by elimination of these other conditions. Often getting worse with time, and with no cure, the right treatment is important not just in order to control it, but to eliminate the smptoms and improve your appearance.

What causes Rosacea?

The cause of Rosacea is not known and, although it is harmless, it seems to be more common when, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center:

• You are fair-skinned
• You blush easily
• You are a woman (however, men with the condition are usually more severely affected)
• You are between the ages of 30 and 50

Triggers for Rosacea

There are a number of triggers, and key to treating Rosacea is to avoid the ones that aggravate your condition. Treatment will often need to be life-long, and doctors may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics. Rosacea can be triggered by:

* Alcohol * Anxiety * Caffeine * Extreme temperatures * Heat * Some medications * Some skin care products * Spicy foods * Strenuous exercise * Stress * Sunburn

Here are our suggestions for using natural remedies, topically and orally at the same time. That way they can support each other for best results in relieving the signs and symptoms of Rosacea and leave you feeling happier and more confident in the way you look.

Topical Skin Care Remedies

Rosacea makes skin very sensitive and easily irritated, and although it may have the appearance of acne, many acne treatments are too harsh and could irritate your skin still further, making the appearance worse. Here are our suggestons for topical Skin Care:

1. Avoid skin care products that contain harsh oils such as Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, and also products that are alcohol based.
2. Use gentle, non-abrasive soap free cleansers, followed by a moisturiser that doesn’t clog your skin.
3. Oils can be used instead of creams as moisturisers where you are sensitive to preservatives in the cream.
4. Jojoba is a wonderful, gentle, anti-inflammatory oil to which you can add a few drops of essential oils such as Lavender or Patchouli for skin healing, and Sandalwood or German Chamomile for anti-inflammatory action.
5. After cleansing your face, and while still damp, apply just 4 drops of your Jojoba and essential oil blend, and gently spread to cover your face.
6. Essential oils have the added advantage of being antibacterial, but for additional antibiotic help, add some Geranium oil.
7. If you prefer a cream, choose a simple natural cream with few ingredients to irritate your Rosacea, and then stir in just a few drops each of the essential oils.
8. Consider also making your own cream, using green tea and Jojoba as the water and oil components. Vitamin E can be added as an antioxidant, and the essential oils will act as preservatives.

Oral Skin Care Remedies

1. Intestinal parasites and bad bacteria may be a trigger for Rosacea and can be treated with garlic.
2. Include probiotic foods such as sauerkraut or kefir. Probiotics can be taken as a supplement too.
3. Omega 3 Fish oils are anti-inflammatory and can also help with dry skin.
4. Herbs for stress, both to reduce stress as a trigger, and the distress of having Rosacea.
5. Multivitamin for nutritional support of your skin cells.

As the triggers are many and varied, including personal sensitivities to speific foods and plants, we recommend you ‘ask a Naturopath’ at Mr Vitamins. By having a personal consultation with a Naturopath you will be able to get a specific treatment plan created for for you.

Lifestyle changes

• Wear sunscreen and a hat when out in the sun.
• Drink green tea instead of alcohol.
• Avoid your triggers
• Avoid extreme temperatures
• Avoid stress

and above all stay cool in every sense of the word! At Mr Vitamins we have full range of Aromatherapy Essential Oils and our resident Aromatherapist, Maria Mitchell, is available in our new Mr Vitamins store (at 394 Victoria Avenue) to answer any questions and assist you on Mondays and Fridays (11 – 5). Learn more about Maria here