Rosacea and Exercise?!

DelilahFreeman
DelilahFreeman Posts: 29 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So, strange enough topic but hoping that someone can relate. I am 28 (almost 29) and developed rosacea in 2010. I wasn't "diagnosed" until 2011 but it was determined that my rosacea was originally exercise induced. So now I can't get rid of it, ever, and I sure cant afford not to exercise. The issue, for those that aren't familiar with this annoying skin disorder is that it can be brought on and made worse (irritated) by extreme heat/cold. My dermatologist has prescribed creams and ointments but nothing seems to keep it from flaring up. I'm just curious, because there are a million-and-one suggestions that you can find online, is there something that has helped you or someone you know? Thanks for the help!

Replies

  • swagner73
    swagner73 Posts: 43 Member
    Would love the answer to this as well. Mine is completely out of control. No medication helps. Nothing. I went to the gym last night for the first time in forever and by the time I left, I looked like I huge red blob with eyes.
  • kcallas88
    kcallas88 Posts: 192
    I have it on my legs...and its miserable.

    Oddly enough, the only thing that really helps it is a lotion containing shea butter. St.Ives has a shea butter lotion and so does Bath and Body Works.

    to get rid of the redness...(now this doesn't work 100% of the time but some times), using Visine for the red eye relief takes the red out of it.

    Hope this helps!
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    I use Metrogel and Doxycycline which help most of the time.

    Mine gets worse with stress and hormone fluctuations.

    I just try to be really diligent about washing my face after working out or sweating because it seems to do better when my skin is more dry than oily.
  • halleymw
    halleymw Posts: 246 Member
    If topical medications are not helping, usually the next step is an oral antibiotic (doxy as mentioned in the above post. You need to go back to the dermatlogist and discuss more aggressive therapy. From Mayoclinic.com:

    Medications
    You may need a combination of prescription-strength topical medication (lotion, cream or gel) and oral medication (pill, capsule or tablet) to treat rosacea.

    Topical medications. Medications you apply to your skin once or twice daily may help reduce inflammation and redness. They may also be used along with oral medications or as part of a maintenance program to control symptoms. Common topical medications include antibiotics such as metronidazole (Metrocream, Metrogel, others), tretinoin (Atralin, Renova, others), benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid (Azelex, Finacea). These topical applications can cause skin irritation, redness, dry skin, and stinging or burning of the skin.Oral antibiotics.

    Doctors may prescribe oral antibiotics to treat rosacea, more for their anti-inflammatory properties than to kill bacteria. Oral antibiotics are also prescribed because they tend to work faster than topical ones. Common prescription oral antibiotics include tetracycline, minocycline and erythromycin. Possible side effects include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, and sore mouth or tongue.Isotretinoin.

    Isotretinoin (Accutane, Amnesteem, others) is a powerful oral medication sometimes used for severe cases of inflammatory rosacea if other treatment options fail to improve symptoms. Usually prescribed for cystic acne, isotretinoin works to inhibit the production of oil by sebaceous glands. People who take it need close monitoring by a dermatologist because of the possibility of serious side effects, including depression and suicidal thoughts, bone or joint pain, and skin infection or rash. Also, this drug causes birth defects if taken during pregnancy. If you plan to become pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor.
    Mike
  • leahk80
    leahk80 Posts: 114 Member
    i haven't been diagnosed, but i too suffer from redness/rosacea. I found that Aveeno Ultra-Calming foaming cleanser and Ultra-Calming facial lotion(which has feverfew in them) works better than most i've tried. it doesn't get rid of it but it does tone it down a bit. It works as long as you use twice a day for forever:smile:
  • zorreena
    zorreena Posts: 267 Member
    Green juice has helped me
  • kcallas88
    kcallas88 Posts: 192
    i forgot...argan oil has helped me a lot. i use it once a day..normally after i shower.
    It can be pricey but it lasts for months
  • 5stringjeff
    5stringjeff Posts: 790 Member
    To the OP: I was diagnosed about 4 years ago. What I've found is that metrocream/metrogel will keep the redness under control, but if you're getting more bumps, you'll likely need to take the doxycycline pills. My dermatologist prescribed Oracea. She also gave me a card so instead of paying $150/bottle, it was $30/bottle. I've found that staying on Oracea for 1-2 months at a time controlled the bumps very well.

    Obviously, exercise will cause us to strain, which makes it worse. I guess it comes down to seeing how your body responds to the combined treatment and exercise routine and adjusting your workouts if the rosacea doesn't go away.
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    To the OP: I was diagnosed about 4 years ago. What I've found is that metrocream/metrogel will keep the redness under control, but if you're getting more bumps, you'll likely need to take the doxycycline pills. My dermatologist prescribed Oracea. She also gave me a card so instead of paying $150/bottle, it was $30/bottle. I've found that staying on Oracea for 1-2 months at a time controlled the bumps very well.

    Obviously, exercise will cause us to strain, which makes it worse. I guess it comes down to seeing how your body responds to the combined treatment and exercise routine and adjusting your workouts if the rosacea doesn't go away.

    I get the generic Doxycycline and pay $5/month with Medco
  • DaniH826
    DaniH826 Posts: 1,335 Member
    Green juice has helped me

    My skin does a lot better with raw juicing also.
  • JustLindaLou
    JustLindaLou Posts: 376 Member
    I am a rosacea sufferer as well, and without health insurance I can no longer get Rx to help... I have to avoid any and all facial skin cleaners and moisturizers with any fragrance whatsoever... Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser for me, and Olay Complete Moisturizer with SPF 15 - sensitive skin formula (fragrance free). I live in the desert and am subject to extreme heat, strong sun, dryness and wind, wind, wind on a continual basis. I love my wine, my spicy food, chocolate, etc - all the stinkin' triggers. Stress and hormones and emotions and heart-rate elevating exercise, yep check them them all off too.....

    So for myself, I am on a campaign right now to be diligent about drinking enough water (we are kinda chronically dehydrated in this environment), eating as many veggies and fruits as possible (my juicer broke before I could use it long enough to determine if green juice was my salvation, and I cannot afford another one right now), lots of Omega 3 and healthy fats - olive oil, salmon, avocado and I take Omega 3-6-9 supplements, and being scrupulous about cleansing morning and night. (I am TERRIBLE about taking my makeup off at night. bad bad bad.)

    I have also learned the hard way, if I try any product on my face (ie, Bare Essetials mineral makeup) and it causes my condition to worsen, STOP immediately, don't keep trying it hoping my skin will adjust... it will not. I am not content to live with my red sore skin day after day, so I will pursue remedies through nature until I find solutions and hopefully getting my weight on track through healthier eating choices, and managing stress and weight with exercise, will eventually get me healthy enough inside that the rosacea will be under control....

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