Rosacea Review - Newsletter of the National Rosacea SocietyRosacea Review - Newsletter of the National Rosacea Society

Florida Heat, Sun Not Only Cause for Her Red Face

 

Before being diagnosed with rosacea at age 25, Jacquelyn Carlton attributed her constant red face to the sun, heat and high blood pressure. Living in Florida, the weather is usually sunny and warm and her primary doctor told her it was her blood pressure that also kept her face red.

She began to use a weekly facial scrub and skin care mask on her face in hopes of reducing redness but instead bumps and pimples began to appear. Alarmed at this, Jacquelyn went to a dermatologist. "He immediately diagnosed my rosacea and tried a number of different topical medications before using oral antibiotics to bring the condition under control," she remembered.

"To clean my face, I use a mild, non-irritating cleanser, and I remember to remove all makeup once I'm at home," she said. Jacquelyn cannot use a regular sunscreen because it seems to hold in heat. She has found that using a moisturizer with UV defense works better in her case.

Heat and the sun seem to be her top rosacea triggers. "Sometimes I also have a flare-up after eating chocolate or spicy foods," she said. "I always remember to wear a hat, sunglasses and the UV-defense moisturizer when outdoors. When I get too hot, I'll soak a cloth in ice water and gently apply it to my face, which helps."

Jacquelyn wants readers to know: "If you start having signs of rosacea, please go to a dermatologist. If the dermatologist catches it in the beginning stages, it usually will not get worse." And she reminds everyone that you can get rosacea before the age of 30. "After all, I did," she said.

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