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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Rosacea or not?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Rosacea or not?
by Natasha, Aug 25, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Doctor Rockoff,
3 months ago I posted a question - "Rosacea vs. skin irritation". I've been using MetroGel for 3 months, but can see only a very slight improvement. Actually, my eruptions fluctuate as before - sometimes I have clear face, sometimes red bumps and tiny whiteheads (pustules?) appear on my cheeks. I have no idea what triggers those eruptions - they are not related to flushing, always get worse before my period, almost disappear right after it, may be somehow related to alcohol consumed, but I am not sure; get worse if I irritate my skin... they are itchy and a bump can appear in a minute...
Is it really rosacea? If not, what else can it be?
Thank you for you time!
Natasha
3 months ago I posted a question - "Rosacea vs. skin irritation". I've been using MetroGel for 3 months, but can see only a very slight improvement. Actually, my eruptions fluctuate as before - sometimes I have clear face, sometimes red bumps and tiny whiteheads (pustules?) appear on my cheeks. I have no idea what triggers those eruptions - they are not related to flushing, always get worse before my period, almost disappear right after it, may be somehow related to alcohol consumed, but I am not sure; get worse if I irritate my skin... they are itchy and a bump can appear in a minute...
Is it really rosacea? If not, what else can it be?
Thank you for you time!
Natasha
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Aug 27, 2000 12:00AM
, Aug 27, 2000 12:00AM
Natasha:
Metrogel is quite helpful, but is not sufficient for everyone if used alone. You may want to ask your doctor to consider prescribing an oral antibiotic such as a tetracyclien derivative for a period of time, or else adding or substituting a different topical cream.
As to the fluctuations you describe, they are par for the rosacea course, and you're not likely to find a "trigger" which is consistently present. My advice is not to look too hard: just bring it under control. Ask your dermatologist how.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Metrogel is quite helpful, but is not sufficient for everyone if used alone. You may want to ask your doctor to consider prescribing an oral antibiotic such as a tetracyclien derivative for a period of time, or else adding or substituting a different topical cream.
As to the fluctuations you describe, they are par for the rosacea course, and you're not likely to find a "trigger" which is consistently present. My advice is not to look too hard: just bring it under control. Ask your dermatologist how.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
