20 Comments

I have been diagnosed with rosacea for over a year now but thinking back, I’ve probably had it for as long as I can remember but just never put two ans two together, I am currently using Fineaca azelaic acid 15%. I don’t know anyone else with it, feels like I am so alone sometimes and I feel embarrassed telling people, even friends so I keep it to myself as I feel like if you do not have rosacea then you can’t fully understand how it actually make you feel.

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I know exactly what you mean, it can be such an isolating condition. I really hope that you can find support and community here, we all know what you're going through so you can always come and talk to us x

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Awe Lucy I really feel for you. I know exactly how you feel. I’m now 58 and have had rosacea since 1998. As I’ve got older I’ve lost the embarrassment of telling people and I just say it if I feel I have to. It is difficult though as you say,people really don’t understand unless you experience it yourself x

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thank you for offering your support and kindness, Frances x

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I feel really alone with my condition. I don't know anyone who has rosacea. First time I heard about this condition when I was diagnosed with it over 10 years ago. I didn't know anything about it. I didn't have any support from anyone. Was so hard to learn about this condition, took me over 10 years to know the basics and I still learn every time I read other people's comment and advise.

Often ( especially during my bad days when my face is red, hot and swollen ) I feel like I am the only person who knows what is going through.

I still didn't accept my condition and feel very sad and hoples.

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I'm so sorry to hear that, I have been exactly where you are. That's what inspired me to start talking about it so publicly, and to start trying to build a community to help so that no one else ever had to feel like that. I really hope you can find support and compassion here and on my other platforms - we are all here because we're in the club x

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You are inspiration to many people, not only those who has rosacea.

Thank you very much for everything you do for others ❤️ 😊

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That's such a lovely thing to say, thank you x

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I also don’t know anyone else with rosacea. My dermatologist recommended Metrocream or Metrogel. He suggested the cream over the gel. I don’t like the greasy feeling, so I went with the gel. If I watch what I eat, it seems to also not get too bad. I got it as I aged. Dealing with it the best I can. Good luck to all of you!

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How long have you been using the gel? I use the cream and have been on the same tube since May. I don't use much but it really makes a difference

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I’ve been using the gel for several years. I use it twice a day, morning and evening. It seems to keep it from spreading too much. I use a tube up in about two months or a month and a half sometimes. The Rosacea Society recommends a facial powder that can be used as a cover up. I use that intermittently depending where I am going.

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Thanks Barbara. That's good to know

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Just jumping in here to say how much I'm loving the helpful chat in these comments. It makes me so happy! Thank you x

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My name is Brenda❣️

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I don't know anyone else with Rosacea. My doctor diagnosed me over e-consult by looking at a photo so I wasn't given any information.

I've always been teased for blushing so easily and now I know why.

I was always told that people with red cheeks and red enlarged noses were alcoholics.

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I'm so sorry that you had to hear such horrible experiences with teasing and awful misconceptions about alcoholics. It's part of the reason I try to raise awareness with the general public, because these kind of assumptions can be so damaging.

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I had heard of rosacea before being diagnosed & remember thinking yikes that sounds bad. I don't know anyone else with rosacea though.

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That's so interesting, I love hearing about people who were aware of rosacea before diagnosis. That means all the work of raising awareness has helped! x

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I had heard of rosacea before my diagnosis in 1998, but I still don’t know anyone else in my circle who has it. My friend who is a beauty therapist understands it, and it was her that told me back in 1998 that she thought I had it, which my GP then confirmed.

I find nobody really cares, because it doesn’t affect them - I work in an office with a “hot air” central heating system - it’s brutal!! My face stings most of the day. I can deal with the redness, but when I have a breakout I reach for lymecycline which works for me within a few days. I haven’t found any gels or creams that agree with me 😊

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That's so lucky that you had a knowlegable friend to help! I know what you mean, people can be so inconsiderate. The amount of times I asked to move desks because I was placed directly under the central heating or next to a huge window and people just stare at you like you've fallen out of a tree!

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