Rosacea is a common skin condition, although its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Persistent redness of the skin -- the skin of the face, most commonly -- is one of the defining characteristics of this health problem. Before using dietary supplements to help treat your rosacea, review supplement-related issues with your family physician, including proper dosage and treatment duration.
Identification
Rosacea may appear in several different ways, including as swelling, redness, skin eruptions or easily observable blood vessels on your face. Numerous symptoms are associated with this condition, such as bloodshot or watery eyes, stinging sensations in your face, a red nose, diffuse or focal facial redness and an increased likelihood of blushing. Factors that may trigger rosacea include consuming hot drinks or alcoholic beverages, exposure to cold weather and experiencing chronic stress.
Helpful Supplements
Certain dietary supplements have long been used in treating rosacea. According to Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., a naturopathic doctor and author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," three of the most important dietary supplements for treating this condition include B-complex vitamins, pancreas extract and hydrochloric acid. Other helpful supplements may include primrose oil, pycnogenol, vitamin A with mixed carotenoids and kelp. Although dietary supplements are a time-honored approach to treating rosacea, more scientific evidence may be required to support their use for this condition.
Supplement in Focus
Primrose oil, also known as evening primrose oil, is a dietary supplement that may help banish your rosacea or reduce rosacea-related symptoms. In her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch states that primrose oil helps heal many skin disorders and contains a substance called linolenic acid, which is needed by your body for optimum skin health. Primrose oil has traditionally been used in treating many conditions, including rosacea, arthritis, hot flashes and multiple sclerosis.
Considerations
The two most common long-term health complications associated with rosacea include irreversible changes in your appearance, such as a bulbous nose, and low self-esteem. Many people turn to dietary supplements to help treat their rosacea, but the use of supplements does not guarantee a beneficial health result. Dietary supplements may contain powerful medicinal ingredients that stimulate physiological changes in your body, and they should always be treated with caution and respect.
References
- National Health Service: Rosacea
- PubMed Health: Rosacea
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D.; 2002
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
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