What to do if I have Rosacea and IC?

[Olga]

Hello everybody, :help:
I am not new to this support group. I am reading some of your messages and answers all the time.
I was diagnosed with Rosacea 6 months ago. I also have IC for many years. I can't use any topical medications for my Rosacea because of hypersensitive skin of my face. Last time I visited dermatologist and he prescribed antibiotic Doxycycline. I was able to take this antibiotic only for three days. My bladder just couldn't tolerate this antibiotic. I had so much pain. Right now I am in despair because I can't use topicals on my face and can't use long term antibiotics. Do you have any ideas how to stop Rosacea from progressing and not hurt my bladder?
My best wishes to all of you,
Olga

[kelly McC]

I also was diagnosed with Rosacea a few months ago. I was first put on tetracycline and I could not take that either. Made me so sick. Plus my bladder could not tolerate it. My derm said we will try topical treatment next. We had to set the rosacea on the back burner I ended up with a mole being melanoma now that is taken care he is going to work on the rosacea. He did precribe me a great moisturizer and cleanser which have helped some. When my allergies flare or a bladder flare my rosacea flares.
I sent away for a rosacea newsletter it come swith good tips for food triggers many of which are triggers for IC anyway also weather can cause flares. Heat like hairdryer or sun or even cold can cause rosacea flares.
Kelly

[kelly McC]

Here's a list of some triggers
Foods Temperature-related
Liver
Yogurt
Sour cream
Cheese (except cottage cheese)
Chocolate
Vanilla
Soy sauce
Yeast extract (bread is ok)
Vinegar
Eggplant
Avocados
Spinach
Broad-leaf beans and pods, including lima, navy or pea
Citrus fruits, including tomatoes, bananas, red plums, raisins or figs
Spicy and thermally hot foods
Foods high in histamine
Saunas
Hot baths
Simple overheating
Excessively warm environments

Weather
Sun
Strong winds
Cold
Humidity

Drugs
Vasodilators
Topical steroids

Beverages Medical conditions
Alcohol, especially red wine, beer, bourbon, gin, vodka or champagne
Hot drinks, including hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee or tea
Frequent flushing
Menopause
Chronic cough
Caffeine withdrawal syndrome

Emotional influences Physical exertion
Stress
Anxiety
Exercise
"Lift and load" jobs

Skin care products
Some cosmetics and hair sprays, especially those containing alcohol, witch hazel or fragrances
Hydro-alcoholic or acetone substances
Any substance that causes redness or stinging

[ICLori]

I feel for you. I have ocular rosacea, too, and must take the Doxycycline if I want my eyes to stay clear and infection-free. It's always a battle between my bladder and my eyes. I try to go off the Doxycycline for a few days because the med kills my bladder, but then I always have to go back on because my eyes get bad, then my bladder gets worse of course because I'm on doxy. And there are no other meds besides doxy for this - so we are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[Olga]

Thank you so very much for your support,
for list of triggers for Rosacea, for sharing your stories.
To Kelly,
What moisturizer and cleanser your dermatlogist prescribed to you? Everything I use on my face causes burning and stinging.
Olga :)

[diane57]

I have rosacea too - I wonder if there's a correlation between IC and rosacea? I've read (Dr. Larian Gillespie's book, You Don't Have to Live with Cystitis) that she found a large percentage of IC patients were either redheads or had red-headed first-degree relatives. That's the only place I've ever read that, though, so maybe it's been debunked. But it seems like rosacea picks on those of us with Irish/fair skin, and I wonder what percentage of ICers are also red-haired/blonde...

The last rosacea flare I had, I also got a bladder flare. (Pollen allergies were causing both, I think...) I remember looking at my red inflamed face in the mirror, thinking, This is odd, my bladder feels JUST like my face looks today LOL...

[~*~Christine~*~]

Accutane is used to treat both rosacea and severe acne. I was on it for 6 months last year, for acne, and the acne has yet to return and it didn't irritate my bladder. Though some people are scared of the side effects but I personally had none, except dry skin during the treatment which was improved with Flax Seed Oil and moisturizer

[~*~Christine~*~]

I have rosacea too - I wonder if there's a correlation between IC and rosacea? I've read (Dr. Larian Gillespie's book, You Don't Have to Live with Cystitis) that she found a large percentage of IC patients were either redheads or had red-headed first-degree relatives. That's the only place I've ever read that, though, so maybe it's been debunked. But it seems like rosacea picks on those of us with Irish/fair skin, and I wonder what percentage of ICers are also red-haired/blonde..

I've wondered myself if there is a connection between bad skin in general and IC
I have no celtic blood in me that I'm aware of (French and German here) so I guess that theory can't be right ;)

[Olga]

Thanks to all of you, :)
I feel right now much better. I thought that I am the only one who has IC and Rosacea both.
Accutane sounds very promising. I am glad to hear that it may not bother bladder.
My bladder flares and Rosacea flares at same time. I am always wondering what is the connection.
Yes, I have fair Irish skin and freckles and my grandmother was red head. I never thought about this connection.
Olga