Yesterday, I gave a little background on my rosacea. Had I known the signs of rosacea, I would have seen my doctor much sooner than I did. I could have saved myself the embarrassment of the painful bumps. I probably could have even prevented them
Could you have rosacea? Symptoms can very by person, but here are the most common signs:
- Blushing: a tendency to blush or flush easily
- Redness: persistent redness in the center of the face
- Irritation: a burning or stinging sensation on the face; the skin may itch or feel tight
- Bumps: red bumps, visible blood vessels and pus-filled pimples may occur
- Eyes: burning, itching, watery eyes and/or swollen eyelids
As I’ve mentioned a few times, rosacea did cause me some emotional distress. I was so uncomfortable in my own skin. I’m normally a pretty confident person but before I started treatment, I didn’t want people to see my face. I seriously felt like every time I spoke with someone, they were looking at my face and thinking, “What the heck is wrong with this girl?” It probably wasn’t the case, but that’s how I felt. It really hurt how I interacted with people.
The good news is that there is treatment available! It’s important to start treatment because if left untreated, rosacea can cause permanent damage to your skin. There are topical and oral therapies. I’ve been taking a low dose antibiotic and couldn’t be happier. I’ve also made some lifestyle changes that are totally helping.
To help spread the word about Rosacea Awareness Month, Cynthia Nixon is speaking out for the first time about her rosacea:
It seems to make me feel better when a celebrity speaks out about an issue. It helps me feel like I’m not alone and that even famous people can have the same issues that I have.
To find out more about rosacea, visit the RosaceaFacts website You can take a screening and find a dermatologist in your area that can help you get the treatment you need and deserve. To join in on the discussion and find support, join the RosaceaFacts facebook page.
Disclosure: This post enters me into the running to be a RosaceaFacts Ambassador, sponsored by Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
