Skin problems, Rosacea

[Pippet]

I have had problems with Rosacea for more than a year. I was wondering if this is HIV related.  If so, will it get better after I start a regimen?
Has anyone else had this issue?  I'm having a hard time keeping it tame. It appears as if I have a constant sun burn. (Living in Texas makes it easier to explain away.)
My Dermatologist gave me a topical cream and an antibiotic which helps a little, but my face is always red.

Just Curious...

[allopathicholistic]

Hello. Sorry to hear about your rosacea. I don't have any answers but maybe this short thread

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=5987.0

might lead you to a related line of questioning your doctor 

There are also theories out there about rosacea being linked to lots of dairy and deep fried and spicy foods in a person's diet

[pozatlguy]

Pippet,

I have have had the same or similar to what you describe for over 7 years now.   I can't really pin point when I first noticed it as I think it developed very subtle over time.  I think I really started seeing it when I went off of AZT and went on Crixivan, Epivir and Zerit which I was one for about 3 years.  I changed in 2000 to Ziagen, Epivir and Viramune.  The change hasn't helped the coloration in my face.  I went to a dermatologist as well and he said I had Rosacea so I took the prescription of metrogel.  I didn't see any results from using it so I stopped.  I thought I had read once that some HIV meds can cause permanent discoloration in some peoples skin tone but not everyone is effected.

I always get comments from people around me asking it I had been out in the sun with sunglasses on.  The weird part is that I always look like I have raccoon eyes, as thou I have been wearing sunglasses; the area around my eyes can be very white to the rest of my face.  This really becomes kinda arkward this time of year and I've been asked many times if I was just back from snowsking.

I think the meds have permanently caused my skin in my face to change to this pink tone.  I've had to accept the fact that it isn't going to change.

-F

[Pippet]

Thanks for sharing.
There are truths to many things mentioned.  I eat a diet high in spicy food and dairy. (adjusting what I eat might be a good place to start.)
I also have a 'pink' complexion but around my eyes remains pale.  Mine started long before meds. At first it was a blush, but over time appears more like a sunburn.
I hear that antibiotics work alot quicker than the cream.  The pills are said to make a difference in as little as two weeks.  The cream states that results will be noticed in an average of eight weeks. I've been using the cream for 3 weeks and the antibiotics for 1 week.  I will let you know if I get any improvement.
I guess I'll check into some Rosacea web sites.  I just assume that everything that goes wrong with me these days is HIV.

Thanks again, be well.

[allopathicholistic]

You're welcome. I hope you get what you want honey

[JohnOso]

Hey Pippet,

Just curious what the timeline is on your rosacea.   About two years prior to my diagnosis I developed a reddish mask-like rash on my face that just wouldn't go away.  I started taking HAART this past February and also used the coal tar shampoos on my face and this went away in less than two weeks.

Certainly can't tell you if this is your situation, but I had "self-diagnosed" rosacea, and i'm thinking it was possibly seborrheic dermatitis (hence clearing up with the Neutrogena T-gel shampoo).

Certainly something worth trying that's over-the-counter, in addition to what you might be doing now.

John

[Pippet]

Thanks John.
  I'll give it a try.  I'm glad to hear that it worked for you.
The timeing sounds about the same. 1 to 2 yrs before I was diagnosed.
Be well.

[koi1]

Yeah, started getting it about a year ago. But for me it has resulted in compliments because it just looks like I have a rosy cheeked look all the time.Except when the seborric dermatitis kicks in  then I get noticeable face dandruff, especially in the forehead area.

[Nico]

Pippet
I have been living with rosacea for six years.  The good news is it is not always bad.  I stopped using antibacterial soap on my face and use only a face cleanser with alpha-hydroxy.  My dermatologist put me on Plexion (Rx) since a face scrape was not good and I used it until 2003.  Now I use just the face cleanser and Cetaphil lotion as soon as I get out of the shower.

Now my complextion, being fair skinned is not always perfect, however it is much improved.  I still have some red areas around my nose, but I find drinking lots of water and getting rest makes a huge difference.  I take Trizavir, Reataz and Norvir as well as Procit and IVIG's. 

It is not always perfect and I feel what you do, but try plenty of rest and and drink plenty of fluids.  I hope your rosacea improves. 

Thanks for sharing and take care of yourself!

Roger

[pozniceguy]

I have had some of the same issues... went to  Derm DR..  he started with the Metrogel ..no effect ...went to Plexion..both the body wash and the cream..some effect over a two week period..smells really bad ( rotten eggs) but does work...eventually went to the no soap skin cleanser(  M D Forte II )  followed by Cetaphil  cream ..  works great..no more red and actually smooths your skin ....  I am sure there will be different degrees of success for each person  but I am sticking with the latest combo until it doesn't work any more....

[Nico]

I have had some of the same issues... went to  Derm DR..  he started with the Metrogel ..no effect ...went to Plexion..both the body wash and the cream..some effect over a two week period..smells really bad ( rotten eggs) but does work...eventually went to the no soap skin cleanser(  M D Forte II )  followed by Cetaphil  cream ..  works great..no more red and actually smooths your skin ....  I am sure there will be different degrees of success for each person  but I am sticking with the latest combo until it doesn't work any more....

Glad to here this has worked for you.  I used to be self conscious in public since my job requires me to speak in from of people and I felt sometimes they were looking at my face and not hearing my words.  Today, I am not perfect, but hell I give it my best shot.  Just one more of life's hurdles that makes use stronger.   

[Pippet]

Thanks for the advice.

  I've been religiously following my dermatologists prescriptions and the results are minimal at best.  My face doesn't break out any more but there's little change in the redness.  It's time to start a new approach.

  I was wondering if anyone tried any laser treatment?

Thanks again... I am definitely taking notes.   

[alisenjafi]

I think since I started the atripla meds is when mine started . Like skin cancer I wonder if this is HIV (meds?) related.  Despite what the powers that be say, no one in my family had/ has these problems.
A friend suggested hypo allergenic baby oil at night.
It does keep it at bay- not a cure, but don't have sheets of skin peeling away from my nose. eye brows.