Are you Drunk, Or Do You Just Have a Bad Case of Rosacea?
Let’s explore another malady that middle-aged people can expect to see more of as the years speed by.
Rosacea. This once-little-known affliction is now front-page news. In fact, it was in the news this week because scientists say they’ve pinpointed the cause of rosacea.
What is rosacea?
Redness in the face/neck
Dry facial skin
Pimples
Red lines
Bumps on nose (think W.C. Fields, a renowned rosacea sufferer)
For a while I was bothered by my own case of rosacea, so I went to the doctor to get treated. First, I tried Metrogel, which did nothing. Then I tried a special dermatological soap that smelled awful. Then I tried to avoid all of the ‘triggers’: spicy food, alcohol, cold winds, hot sun, rubbing your face with a towel. Then I said, who the heck cares? I don’t do anything about it now.
I’ve just had to become accustomed to questions all winter like this: “Did you just get back from Florida?” (They’re too polite to ask if I’m drunk.)
August 7th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
LOL on the drunk comment. Yeah I have it too, I fit the fair skin and hair profile. You ever heard of IPL treatments? That’s what I do every now and then and poof all gone! Plus it’s great for the skin. However it can be a bit pricey just to warn you.
http://rosacea-support.org/ipl-is-excellent-for-rosacea.html
August 7th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
HAHAHAH that is the FUNNIEST title I’ve read in a LONG time!
August 7th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
G’day Rhea,
Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog. I’ve enjoyed this visit – great to know you update more than once a day.
I’ve enjoyed your editorial approach and your irroverence. As you can see, we have much in common. I am going to add you to my blogroll, so just let me know if that all right with you.
Cheers
David
August 7th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I used to have mild to moderate rosacea, then it basically just quit and never came back. I attribute this relief to praying to the graven idol Uupotachetlli.
August 7th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Thank you for visiting my site, Rhea. Since I fit into your demographic, I’m happy I found yours and will visit again.
I’ve often felt for non alcohol abusing sufferers of rosacea. They can easily be interpreted as what used to be called ‘gin blossoms’ and that’s unfair. Mind you, I have a good friend who is a long time recovering alcoholic who states: “I earned my gin blossoms proudly and I’ll make no excuses for them. Mind you, depending on who I’m talking to, I refer to it as rosacea.”
Ian
August 7th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Hey Rhea!
You’ve been nominated for the Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame!!! Please get in touch with me at your earliest convenience for additional details.
August 7th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Metrogel, as I discovered after going through 2 very expensive tubes, is crap. When I complained about it at my last yearly dermatologist appt., he said (with a touch of ‘tone’ in his voice) “well I can give you something else, I didn’t think you wanted to take pills.” Dude. I live in FL year-round so I can’t use the sunburn excuse, and I’m not drunk nearly as often as my face is red, so… He prescribed Doryx (the brand-name) and my face is back to normal! Once you get it under control, you don’t have to take it every day. It is awesome.
August 7th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
I’d rather be accused of being drunk, then I can act all indignant.
August 7th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
While I’ve heard about and seen rosacea on individuals, I never realized that it was an affliction of the middle-aged so thanks for the heads up!
August 7th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
I think there as a term like ‘rummy nose’, a sort of pejorative as well. My face gets red pretty easily, I was told by a doctor it is histimines. The old sort-of complement was ‘ruddy complexion”.
August 7th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
So far, no rosacea (despite the fair skin), but hot flashes more than make up for it in the ‘turning red at the slightest provocation’ department. Blech.
August 8th, 2007 at 7:04 am
Hi Rhea,
Can’t believe I mis-spelled irreverence as irroverence!
Oops ….
David
August 8th, 2007 at 7:05 am
I’m lucky I guess! I’m weathering the storms of aging pretty well — my health problems stem from other things
August 8th, 2007 at 7:38 am
Good article and also good link by one of your commentors, above. Liked reading, too, that Meryl Streep won and I’ve never bought a lottery ticket and probably never will.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:13 am
I get that on my arms… no one really asks about it though.
No one ever thinks I’m drunk, but I imagine someday they will LOL..
August 10th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Hot flashes have the same effect on m e. Red, red face. I keep saying that I think I have a touch of rosacea because my face just always seems to be so pink. It’s just been the last couple of years. I haven’t brought it up to my doctor because he’s a jerk and blames everything on menopause.
August 10th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Too funny! I’ve had rosacea for at least 10 years – not too severe, but the tip of my nose seems constantly pink. Since I’m a very sensitive soul, most people just assume I’ve been crying and wiping my nose! A few years ago, I had a laser procedure done when I’d had a cheek-and-nose flare-up. My skin was supposed to look “a little pink” for a few hours, but I wound up looking like my face had hit the pavement at 50 miles an hour – for weeks! I was so embarrassed, I lied to my husband and friends that I’d been reaching for a terra cotta pot & it bounced off my face. Seemed plausible at the time! : )