Answer: by Brett Lieberman, ND, Naturopath/Homeopath)

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that predominantly affects women between 30-60 years of age. Rosacea is typically diagnosed by physical symptoms which include:

• Areas of redness on your face
• Small red bumps or pustules on your nose, cheeks, forehead, and/or chin
• Small blood vessels on your nose and/or cheeks (called telangiectasia)
• Tendency to flush or blush
• Rosacea may also result in a red, bulbous nose (called rhinophyma), or a burning gritty sensation in your eyes, called ocular rosacea.

Conventional treatment for rosacea includes topical and oral antibiotics, Retin-A, Metronidazole cream, laser therapy to reduce redness and swelling, and avoiding known triggers.

With holistic treatment we also attempt to remove any factors that cause or exacerbate a condition, in addition to providing symptomatic treatment. Rosacea can often be exacerbated by both environmental or lifestyle factors.

Typical triggers include:

• Exposure to sun
• Emotional Stress
• Alcohol Consumption
• Spicy Foods
• Heavy Exercise
• Humidity
• Other food triggers

It is important to work with your holistic physician to identify your personal triggers and eliminate or reduce their impact in your life. In regards to food choices, allergy or food sensitivity testing is recommended, as is focusing on an anti-inflammatory diet.

There are a variety of natural effective therapies for rosacea. Topical therapies including Green Tea cream, Niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B3) cream, and a Licorice Root cream have all proven effective for symptomatic improvement of symptoms in small studies. Azelaic Acid Cream has been found to be particularly effective in multiple studies at reducing swelling, redness, papules and pustules. Inadequate riboflavin, caused by insufficient dietary intake or poor absorption in the digestive tract, may be associated with rosacea, and supplementation may be indicated. An imbalance of healthy flora in the digestive tract is often found with patients suffering from rosacea, and probiotics would be indicated for these patients. Finally, there are a number of other nutritional approaches that may be included to help reduce chronic inflammation in the patient, such as adding flaxseed or fish oil to one’s diet. Additionally I have found in practice that constitutional homeopathic treatment is a very effective therapy for my patients with rosacea.

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