Question:
I have had rosacea for about 15-20 years - not quite sure when it started. I used to have strangers tell me that I had a nasty sunburn. I must say that after the first couple of times of that it started to bother me and I wondered what was going on. I thought I was probably just too warm and it would pass. I remember back many years ago I started using Oil of Olay lotion and my face would get kind of itchy feeling and have little bumps - not too noticeable but I could feel them. It seems to have progressed from there. I quit using the Oil of Olay and I think the bumps pretty much stopped but I would still feel a bit itchy. I also have the spider veins and I am seeing a dermatologist and they are getting better - but a long process. I think my mother might have had rosacea as I can remember her having reddened cheeks and lots of spider veins. I, too, have troubles with temperature. If I am outside for a while, when I come in my face feels like it's on fire. And in the summer my face will get more reddened and burny feeling. I drink lots of ice water - love it - and I think that helps - especially to help cool it down. Just the other day my husband gave me a kiss on the cheek and he said my face felt so hot - like it was on fire! But I didn't feel it and I was not any redder than usual. It kind of surprised me - usually I can tell when my face gets hot. Oh well! Glad to be a part of this group.

Answer: -Welcome to the group. You mentioned that you are seeing your Dermatologist to help with your spider veins and that they are getting better. Could you let us know what you are doing for this? Sounds interesting. -I'm not sure what the procedure is called that my derm. uses - he has told me, but I don't remember. It is a tiny metal tip that he inserts into the spider vein and then zaps it with electricity. I think it essentially cauterizes the spider vein. He says he can see the "fluid" in the vein bubble all along the length of the vein. He then zaps it again. He does several different spots at each visit. It does hurt, but I have noticed, finally, the redness is decreasing a bit. My derm. also commented just 1 or 2 visits ago that he is starting to notice a difference, too. It has been a long haul - I think about 5 years, now. I only see him 4 times a year. I think that is to allow my face to heal and calm down in between visits. I do have redness over most of my face - in the usual spots - cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. I consider myself so very fortunate that I have not had any of the blistering and such as some members have described. That must be a nightmare. I can't even begin to imagine how that would be.