Rosacea is a common disorder of the facial skin that affects about 14 million Americans. It appears as a red rash of varying degrees on the cheeks and over the nose. Rosacea has different grades, from just a slight flushing to a condition called acne rosacea, which includes pustules, papules and lesions similar in appearance to severe acne, though occurring mainly on the cheeks and over the nose. The condition is most predominant in women, who usually have a tendency to develop a more severe form called rhinophyma, where the nose becomes very red and swells significantly. Rosacea is usually restricted to the face, where flushing occurs, but occasionally spreads to other parts of the body. The redness and irritation of rosacea is increased when exposed to UVA rays.

While the underlying causes of rosacea are not understood, certain factors are known to aggravate the condition, including the consumption of alcohol, hot liquids, and/or spicy foods, exposure to sunlight, extremes of temperature, and the use of makeup and skincare products containing alcohol. In addition to stress, vitamin deficiencies and infection can also be contributing factors. To make treating the condition more difficult, the things that aggravate one person's rosacea may have no effect on another person.

Traditional Approach...
Nearly all traditional approaches to treating rosacea involve the use of antibiotics. Many patients are using topical creams as a treatment. According to a study, NIX (Permethrin 5%) cream, was found to be an alternative to the topical treatment of rosacea, as researchers found NIX to be superior to Metrogel 0.75% gel.

NIX, according to Dr.Joseph Mercola (www.mercola.com, one of the most visited health websites in the world), is designed to kill higher-level organisms like head lice, which more closely resemble humans than do bacteria. As a result, NIX can be toxic, especially if used everyday. Dr. Mercola believes rosacea to be an easy problem to treat. "More than half the time", he says, "it responds to the elimination of grains, primarily wheat, and sugars from the diet. Fine tuning involves eating for your metabolic type and addressing the emotional stresses in your life, as these will cause impairment in the immune system that will make rosacea more difficult to control."

Treating The Underlying Cause Naturally...
Like many skin problems, underlying causes are poor digestion and sluggish elimination of toxins. There is also a link between rosacea and low hydrochloric acid secretion by the stomach. Insufficient stomach acid is a common problem. Liver and gallbladder disorders, as well as high blood pressure, are often associated with rosacea. Most digestion-related problems are the result of poor eating habits and improper nutrition. Hidden food allergies are also suspect.

According to an article published in Alive Magazine (alive.com), apple cider vinegar with meals will provide the stomach with acid, which is often lacking in people suffering from rosacea. Pineapple or papaya juice contains an enzyme which aids protein digestion. To correct a deterioration of intestinal flora, which can be an underlying cause of rosacea, eat natural, plain yogurt containing live culture, drink kefir or eat lactic acid fermented vegetables such as fermented red beets or raw sauerkraut. Avoid vasodilating foods such as coffee, alcohol, salt and spicy foods, which can exacerbate the symptoms of rosacea.

Acne rosacea is more a case of you are what you absorb rather than what you eat. Many trace minerals, especially zinc, as well as essential fatty acids and vitamins depend on adequate amounts of digestive enzymes for absorption. If there is a deficiency of these enzymes, vitamins A, D, E, K, essential fatty acids and zinc are poorly absorbed. Taking the digestive enzymes, is therefore beneficial to those with rosacea. If tests show low stomach acidity, supplement with betaine hydrochloride (HCl) on the short term only. If there is burning after taking HCl, reduce the dosage.

The B vitamins are often found to be lacking in people with rosacea, so taking a B-complex vitamin is helpful. Sluggish digestion should be repaired with an improved diet. In severe cases, a bowel detoxification program may be needed.

Tanning & Natural Health News is a publication of Tan Plus /Essentials Of Life, Barclay Square, 350 Route 108, Somersworth, NH. This publication is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be presented as medical advice. Product statements made have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.