New perspectives on rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic facial skin disorder that can really impact the quality of life for individuals. Typically, women are affected more than men with the incidence of disease at about 5%. 

Treatment and management work best when an early and correct diagnosis is made, and the individual is educated properly and empowered to understand how to manage their rosacea. 

There are four main types of rosacea;

– Erythematotelangiectatic (flushing, redness, and dilated capillaries)

– Papulopustular (redness, small papules, and pinpoint pustules)

– Phymatous (skin thickening and irregular nodules)

– Ocular aka eyes (blepharitis, conjunctivitis, erythema of the nose) 

From a Naturopathic lens, we view the cause of rosacea to be multifactorial, with every individual experiencing a different set of symptoms that require a different approach to treatment. Often we see rosacea as a chronic inflammatory issue with a big link between the gut, immune system, circulatory system, and obviously skin! Interestingly, rosacea has associations with digestive disorders, GORD, metabolic disorders, coeliac disease, H.Pylori infection, and Demodex mite infections. 

In clinical practice I often recommend patients keep a diary or note down particular triggers or scenarios where their rosacea symptoms are worst, this can help us pinpoint what is exacerbating things and helps us work to reduce the effects of these triggers. 

This is what rosacea looks like:

The gut/skin connection.

There is a big link between digestive disorders and rosacea — anytime someone presents in my clinic with rosacea we would investigate the digestive system and see if there are any symptoms that might indicate either small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection. Often the best way to diagnose either disorder is via breath testing or stool testing. Once we correctly identify, treat and resolve any correlated gut issues, Rosacea will either resolve or significantly improve. Bacterial overgrowth or digestive system pathogens cause a lot of inflammation and immune system activation, which worsens rosacea. They will also cause nutritional deficiencies due to limited absorption of nutrients in the intestines which further exacerbates Rosacea.

Things in our control to manage rosacea.

– Knowing your triggers: these could be UV exposure, hot foods/drinks, spicy foods, drug use, alcohol, exercise, and stress

– Managing digestive health: avoiding processed foods with preservatives and additives, limiting alcohol intake, eating a well-balanced amount of healthy fats, fiber, and proteins

– Supporting immunity: ensuring your nutrition is optimal (this could mean regular blood tests to check vitamin D, zinc and immune markers), moving your body regularly, eating anti-inflammatory foods and resting when needed