ROSACEA RED FACE - HOW I CONTROL MINE AFTER 18 YEARS OF SUFFERING

Do you suffer from a Rosacea red face? If yes, you will know that it is an embarrassing and debilitating condition. But, I have managed to control my redness and I hope I can help you too.

Hello, my name is Mike Reeves and I have been cursed with the red face of Rosacea for the last 18 years.

I was diagnosed in the early 90's with seborrhoeic dermatitis, also known as eczema and mild Rosacea. I had red, flaking patches around my nose and eyebrows and I was prone to flushing, which would subside quite quickly - I didn't have a permanent red face - yet!

The dermatologist prescribed various creams and ointments which didn't help. I was eventually prescribed a 0.1% cortisone steroid cream which kept the condition under control to an acceptable level.

I was warned to use it sparingly as continual use could cause thinning of the skin. What I was not told was, that, used over a long period, it can create a condition called steroid induced Rosacea - a permanent, red face. The body also stops producing cortisone naturally and becomes dependent on the cream.

The cortisone cream would control my red face most of the time but flare ups were common, and regular.

Here's a family photograph (taken on Gran's old film camera) - all it would take would be a couple of beers and my face would be shining. This picture was taken in 2002.

In July 2009, I met a dermatologist who said he could improve my skin using IPL laser (Intense Pulsed Light) but first we would have to wean the body off the cortisone cream.

He said I would probably have a bad reaction after stopping the cortisone and he prescribed doxycycline and Rozex/Metrogel to help with the redness and inflammation. Within days of stopping the cream my face was very red, itching and painful. Some days it was tight and sore, other days it was flaking. He prescribed a stronger antibiotic that worked for the time I took it, but the redness returned after completing the course. The redness was just getting worse and worse, everyday.

I wasn't having flushes anymore - my face was permanently red. I couldn't walk past a mirror without stopping to stare. I started canceling social and work engagements. On the advice of my general medical practitioner, I stopped drinking alcohol, cut out certain foodstuffs, and went on a liver detox program. Four weeks later I still had a permanent RED FACE.

It had been 7 weeks since I had stopped the cortisone cream and my life had become hell. We live in the southern hemisphere so this was in the middle of winter - I couldn't even tell people that it was sunburn. I was so desperate that I started using the cortisone cream again, and searching the internet every day, looking for a cure.

At the beginning of September I discovered a retired pharmacist who had developed a natural pain relief cream to control his own arthritis. He had also developed a natural, soothing, anti-inflammatory cream. The main ingredient was the gel from the bulbine plant, which is a plant I know has strong anti-inflammatory properties. He also included other soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as, Aloe Ferox, Vitamin E oil, Calendula and Chamomile.

I started using the cream and gradually the redness started fading. I would wake up every morning and couldn't wait to get to the mirror to see how my face had improved. This pharmacist has been my savior and his cream is a miracle for me. It has given me my life back.

Where am I now?

My skin is not 100% recovered - years of cortisone use is going to take a long time to repair. For the time being I am happy that my skin is socially acceptable - no more "What on earth have you done to your face" comments.

I still play golf in cold windy conditions, I still play golf in extremely hot conditions, I still drink alcohol, I still eat spicy, Thai curries - these are lifestyle choices I have made.

My skin will probably never be 100% perfect, but as I say, if it's socially acceptable then I am happy.

This is a recent picture of me and some golfing mates. I am on the far right of the picture - you can see my skin looks normal.

Here's a picture of me and my wife at a friend's wedding reception. My face is slightly red but that's because I had already had a couple of beers and some wine with my food.

Click here to buy a cream to control your Rosacea Red Face.