A wine (alcohol) related health issue

[ufo]

Does anybody know about the effect of wine on the skin condition called ROSACEA? It is a condition where one’s cheeks and forehead gets flashy red. It comes and goes, the reason is not known. There is no known cure. There are a lots of known triggers that causes the flashes but two most common ones are exposure to sun and alcohol consumption. My doctor told me to totally quit consuming alcohol (how could this be done with a cellar over 500 bottles?) He showed me some nasty pictures of bad cases of the diseases where the known triggers are not avoided and people in those pictures just look awful.
So did anybody have any sort of experience with this kind of problem?

Help guys!

[Rawshack]

Does anybody know about the effect of wine on the skin condition called ROSACEA? It is a condition where one’s cheeks and forehead gets flashy red. It comes and goes, the reason is not known. There is no known cure. There are a lots of known triggers that causes the flashes but two most common ones are exposure to sun and alcohol consumption. My doctor told me to totally quit consuming alcohol (how could this be done with a cellar over 500 bottles?) He showed me some nasty pictures of bad cases of the diseases where the known triggers are not avoided and people in those pictures just look awful.
So did anybody have any sort of experience with this kind of problem?

Help guys!

That's bad news man. First thing I'd do is go and get another opinion

Clinton had the condition (according the ever *ahem* reliable wiki) and I'm sure he likes a glass of the red stuff

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne_rosacea#Causes

[ufo]

Does anybody know about the effect of wine on the skin condition called ROSACEA? It is a condition where one’s cheeks and forehead gets flashy red. It comes and goes, the reason is not known. There is no known cure. There are a lots of known triggers that causes the flashes but two most common ones are exposure to sun and alcohol consumption. My doctor told me to totally quit consuming alcohol (how could this be done with a cellar over 500 bottles?) He showed me some nasty pictures of bad cases of the diseases where the known triggers are not avoided and people in those pictures just look awful.
So did anybody have any sort of experience with this kind of problem?

Help guys!

That's bad news man. First thing I'd do is go and get another opinion

Clinton had the condition (according the ever *ahem* reliable wiki) and I'm sure he likes a glass of the red stuff

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne_rosacea#Causes

A glass ? Who is gonna stop at one glass ?

[PaulG]

I'm not certain if it is the same thing, but a close friend of mine found she flushed bright red when consuming alcohol. Apparently it is quite prevalent amongst the Asian community (she's Cambodian) and the 'cure' she discovered was taking an antacid tablet an hour prior to drinking (I'm not sure if it was a specific antacid she was taking). This appears to have solved the problem for her. I hope that might help you!

[tpang]

I did a quick science publication search of Pubmed and couldn't really find anything stating a clear link between wine/alcohol consumption and rosacea. I did find more articles relating to strawberries, apples, pears, peaches and plums since they are part of the rosacae botanical family.

I think you should seek a second opinion before you fully terminate drinking wine, without advocating more consumption, have you thought of modulating your intake to see if there is a limit beyond which the flushes occur?

[PaulG]

I've just checked with my friend and she takes antacids with "ranitidine" in them - she recommends Mylanta or Zantac. She says you take one at least 2-4 hours prior to drinking so it can line the stomach if you intend to drink a lot take 2. Apparently you will still feel the burning sensation but your face will appear less red, as it thins the blood. Also, be careful because they also sell heartburn tablets without ranitidine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_flush_reaction

Hope that helps!

[Davo]

All of the above are excellent reasons why you should ignore any personal health advice you read on the net or chat sites.

Acne rosacea has absolutely no relationship to alcoholdehydrogenase deficiency or to gastritis/reflux.

If you don't trust the advice of your doctor see another GP for a second opinion (best seen while you have the rash so they can examine it) or ask for a referral to a dermatologist (also get seen with the rash present).

[Softie]

UFO,

I'm of (very fair skinned) Celtic origins and suffer from rosacea. I have seen Dermatologists on a regular basis for over 20 years for sun spots, skin cancers and more lately (post 40 YOA) rosacea. The Dermos have told me that Celts (perhaps some other races too) are prone to Rosacea.

I am being treated for Rosacea with "Rosex" cream; my redness and susceptability to irritants (alcohol, sun, wind, stress ...) has declined noticeably. I also have the option of laser treatment - I stress this is from a reputable Dermatologist and further understand from my last two Dermos that laser treatment has become a conventional treatment over the last 10 or so years.

I was once falsely advised by a GP that nothing can be done about Rosacea (which takes several forms). I give you no advice, per se, other than see a Dermotologist.

[Lee]

Good advice - see another GP, or a dermatologist.
Don't let anyone give you steroid cream.... Rozex gel/cream works well, as do a few of the antibiotics around for exacerbations.

[PaulG]

All of the above are excellent reasons why you should ignore any personal health advice you read on the net or chat sites.

An excellent point - I should have stated in my post that obviously, I am not a doctor. What I mentioned above was something to ask your doctor about!

Good luck, and ensure you take the advice of medical professionals, rather than wine drinkers

[ufo]

UFO,

I'm of (very fair skinned) Celtic origins and suffer from rosacea. I have seen Dermatologists on a regular basis for over 20 years for sun spots, skin cancers and more lately (post 40 YOA) rosacea. The Dermos have told me that Celts (perhaps some other races too) are prone to Rosacea.

I am being treated for Rosacea with "Rosex" cream; my redness and susceptability to irritants (alcohol, sun, wind, stress ...) has declined noticeably. I also have the option of laser treatment - I stress this is from a reputable Dermatologist and further understand from my last two Dermos that laser treatment has become a conventional treatment over the last 10 or so years.

I was once falsely advised by a GP that nothing can be done about Rosacea (which takes several forms). I give you no advice, per se, other than see a Dermotologist.

Well, my GP also prescribed Rosex but it didn't help at all (used about a week). Not only redness did not disappear but the skin got very dry and itchy !! so I quit using it.

[ufo]

Good advice - see another GP, or a dermatologist.
Don't let anyone give you steroid cream.... Rozex gel/cream works well, as do a few of the antibiotics around for exacerbations.

I am even baffled more. I tried a left over steroid (elocon) redness lessened from day one and itchiness is gone !?!?!?
definetely got to see a dermatologist.

[ufo]

UFO,

I'm of (very fair skinned) Celtic origins and suffer from rosacea. I have seen Dermatologists on a regular basis for over 20 years for sun spots, skin cancers and more lately (post 40 YOA) rosacea. The Dermos have told me that Celts (perhaps some other races too) are prone to Rosacea.

I am being treated for Rosacea with "Rosex" cream; my redness and susceptability to irritants (alcohol, sun, wind, stress ...) has declined noticeably. I also have the option of laser treatment - I stress this is from a reputable Dermatologist and further understand from my last two Dermos that laser treatment has become a conventional treatment over the last 10 or so years.

I was once falsely advised by a GP that nothing can be done about Rosacea (which takes several forms). I give you no advice, per se, other than see a Dermotologist.

Softie,

Who is your dermotologist, I would like to pay a visit to him/her. Please forward contact details.

[Anonymous]

Hello - its my first post here, pity its not about wine

Im a final year pharmacy student and here is some information about rosacea (straight from the Therapeutic Guidelines)

Prevention
1st - dont use steroid creams - it can cause a very severe flare - and yes some pharmacists and GPs will recommend this as this is seen as an 'easy way out'
2nd - avoid precipitating factors - such as sun exposure, alcohol (yes wine included), hot bath, cold weather - anything that can cause flushing or irritate the skin
3rd - Use a soap substitute product - available from any local pharmacy
4th - Sun protection

Treatment
- can use anything from topical antibiotics (creams, ointments), systemic antibiotics (i.e. tablets) to low dose isotretinoin (usually used for acne treatment) - consult your GP or dermatologist on those - prescription only

[Anonymous]

Oh... and before you do any of that stuff in the previous post - get yourself diagnosed first

[Lee]

Good advice - see another GP, or a dermatologist.
Don't let anyone give you steroid cream.... Rozex gel/cream works well, as do a few of the antibiotics around for exacerbations.

I am even baffled more. I tried a left over steroid (elocon) redness lessened from day one and itchiness is gone !?!?!?
definetely got to see a dermatologist.

I hope it stays that way once you stop the elocon then...... the problem with steroids is the nasty flare up once you stop the stuff.....

[Paradox]

DermNet is a site with lots of good stuff about skin conditions, including rosacea http://dermnetnz.org/acne/rosacea.html

[Michael McNally]

By chance stumbled across this site for the US National Rosacea Society and remembered this thread. No idea if the site is any good.

http://www.rosacea.org

Cheers

Michael