Essential Oils and Other Natural Treatments Help Rosacea Sufferers

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 by: Fleur Hupston
Tags: rosacea, essential oils, health news

(NewsTarget) Rosacea is a genetically inherited condition which affects mostly Caucasian men and women between the ages of 30 - 50. Often referred to as "adult acne", the condition can be painful and difficult to treat. Conventionally treated with antibiotics, rosacea can be helped with natural products and treatments.

Symptoms of Rosacea

Red patches may appear on the face at the onset of rosacea, making it look like the individual concerned is sunburnt. The skin on the face may be very dry and sensitive. As the condition worsens, small pustules appear on the face, nose, cheeks, forehead and chin.

Rosacea affects more women than men; however, in men the condition is more pronounced and often results in nasal bumps which make the nose appear swollen and disfigured. This is called rhinophyma. Onlookers who are unaware of this distressing disease often unkindly conclude that a man with a red, bulbous nose (symptomatic of rhinophyma) is a heavy drinker.

Besides antibiotics and topical antibiotic creams and gels, laser treatment is sometimes used to diffuse the spider veins and redness on the face. In severe cases, surgery is used to correct rhinophyma. Antibiotics are a temporary cure and long prolonged usage of antibiotics can cause other health problems.

Natural Treatments for Rosacea

Essential Oils: Pure, therapeutic grade essential oils can be applied directly to the skin or they may be blended with sweet almond or jojoba carrier oils. Poor grade, impure essential oils can aggravate rosacea.

The best essential oils to use for rosacea treatment include lavender; tea tree oil; eucalyptus; chamomile; frankincense; sandalwood and cedarwood.

Green Tea Cream: Dr. Tanweer Syed, a dermatologist at the University of California in San Francisco, reports that a cream containing a green tea extract called polyphenone produces a 70 percent improvement in rosacea compared with an inactive cream.

B Vitamins: Inadequate riboflavin, caused by insufficient dietary intake or poor absorption in the digestive tract, may be associated with rosacea. Natural food sources of vitamin B2 include nuts, green leafy vegetables, fish, legumes, whole grains and probiotic yogurt.

Niacinamide Cream: Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, has been used topically for rosacea. It is thought to improve the skin barrier, improve the skin's moisture level and reduce inflammation.

Rosehip Seed Oil: This gentle oil is said to strengthen broken and damaged capillaries and acts as an astringent to heal and reduce redness.

Licorice: Glycyrrhizin, one of the main ingredients in licorice, is believed to contribute to the herb's many healing properties. Laboratory studies have shown that glycyrrhizin reduces inflammation and soothes skin irritation.

Rosacea sufferers should avoid foods that may trigger the condition such as spicy foods, coffee and alcohol. A diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and a lot of water is recommended.

Before administering any product, rosacea patients should seek the advice of a skin care specialist.

Sources:

Gehring W. Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 3.2 (2004): 88-93
Rosaceasupport.org, information retrieved 21 September, 2009
http://www.internationalrosaceafoundation.or...

About the author

Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between writing for Natural News and various other sites, home schooling her children and studying part time.