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Rosacea: Natural Treatment Options

Rosacea is a skin condition affecting millions of people, characterized by facial redness, papules or pustules, and dilated blood vessels. Dermatologists often prescribe antibiotics such as doxycycline (now marketed under the name Oracea) or topical creams. Patients using these medications often experience significant side effects or are not satisfied with the effectiveness of conventional medical treatment for rosacea. If you have been diagnosed with rosacea, natural treatments may be an appropriate and successful way to improve your skin.

From a holistic point of view, dermatological issues such as rosacea are related to imbalances of the digestive system. Many people suffering from rosacea, for example, have been found to be hypochlorhydric, meaning they do not produce enough stomach acid. When stomach acid is inadequate, food and especially proteins are not digested properly. In addition, because the stomach acid isn’t present to neutralize microbes that are digested, bacterial and candidal overgrowth can occur in the digestive tract. Also, undigested proteins can encourage an immune response in the gut, leading to inflammation, and as an acid environment is necessary for nutrient absorption and food is not digested properly, many nutrients are not optimally absorbed from the food we eat.

This condition is reflected in the skin. Natural treatment for rosacea focuses on correcting this condition, when the digestive issues are addressed the skin symptoms often resolve. Topical treatment for rosacea may hide the symptoms, but they can not affect the underlying imbalance. The skin, after all, grows from the inside out.

How do we do this? Holistically, of course. The following steps must be taken:

• Improve digestion by increasing the production of stomach acid to appropriate amounts. This can be done through herbs or sometimes even by supplementing with stomach acid. Digestive enzymes may also be required.
• Improve nutrient status. Many nutrients, such as zinc and vitamin A, may be deficient in those suffering from rosacea, due to a history of poor absorption. B vitamins, especially B12, need appropriate secretion by the stomach to be absorbed.
• Correct the microbial balance in the intestines. Probiotics may be appropriate and certain herbs and nutrients can selectively kill the unhealthy bacteria and fungi.
• Address underlying causes. Digestion often becomes unbalanced during extended stress. Are you still experiencing significant stress? Options to reduce stress should be explored.

If you look at the above list, you will see echoes of many of the therapies for rosacea. Some people are successful using antibiotics for rosacea, for instance, and we can see why: bacterial overgrowth is a component of impaired digestion. Likewise there are topical creams for rosacea that contain vitamin A derivatives (Retin-A is an example). That these should offer some relief is not surprising: vitamin A is often deficient due to malabsorption. As you can see, not only do these medications cause significant side effects in many people, they do not address the whole person and as such may offer some relief, but cannot offer resolution.

If you would like to learn more about treating rosacea naturally, call today to make an appointment with Dr Hanson.