Rosacea

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

Eliminate foods that cause an allergic response or to which there is a sensitivity (fast, use an elimination diet, or allergy test to isolate such foods)
Avoid foods that cause vasodilation, including sugar, refined foods, coffee, alcohol, fats, spicy foods, etc.

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

Vitamin A: 100,000-300,000 I.U. for 3 months
Vitamin B-Complex : take as directed on the bottle
Vitamin C : cream - take as directed on the bottle
Zinc: 30 - 60 mg.
Copper: 2 - 4 mg.

Supplements: (references)

Hydrochloric Acid (HCl): 20 - 40 grains (likely, but only if lab work confirms)
Digestive Enzymes: 1 - 2 tablets per meal
Acidophilus and Bifidus: 1 capsule between meals

Botanicals: (references)

Dry herbs - Althea (220 mg.), Geranium (220 mg.), Echinacea (220 mg.), Ulmus (220 mg.), Curcuma (220 mg.), Hydrastis (84 mg.): 2 caps with each meal

Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

Acne eruptions:
Aur., Calc-S., Calc-Eil., Carb-An., Carb-S., Carb-V., Caust., Dulc., Fl-Ac., Hep., Kali-Ar., Kali-Br., Nux-V., Phos., Rhod., Sars., Sep., Sil., Syph., Teucr., Zinc.

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

Coffee enema: 3/week
Sulfur bath (bath tub about 1/2 full of water at 102° F with 1 oz. of potassium sulfate - dip affected area for 30-60 minutes)
Check for the presence of Helicobacter pylori
Azelaic acid cream used topically.

Recommended Labs:

Rule out acne: Physical Exam, History
Rule out allergies: IgG Food Allergy Antibody, IgG and IgE Inhalent Allergy Antibody
Rule out corticord damage: Drug History
Rule out dermatomyositis: Electromyogram, Creatine Kinase, ANA, Skin Biopsy
Rule out erythema infectiosum (Fifth Disease): CBC with Diff, Parvovirus B19 Antibody
Rule out gram-negative folliculitis: Skin Biopsy with Culture
Rule out Helicobacter pylori: H. pylori Antibody, H. pylori Antigen, H. pylori Breath, Rapid Urease, Endoscopy with Biopsy
Rule out perioral dermatitis: Skin Biopsy with Culture
Rule out rhinophyma: Physical Exam
Rule out rubiosus diabeticorum: Diabetic History
Rule out seborrheic dermatitis: Physical Exam, History
Rule out sterile eosinphilic pustulosis: Skin Culture and Microiscopy
Rule out subacute cutaneous systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): CBC with Diff, Blood Chemistry, Urinalysis, CRP, ANA with Reflex, Quantitative Immunoglobulins, Tissue Biopsy

* The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.