What are natural treatments for rosacea?

Introduction

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects the face (generally, to the greatest extent near the center), the eyelids, and, sometimes, the neck, upper back, and chest. Symptoms mostly occur in sun-exposed areas and consist of redness, acne-like pustules and papules (but not comedones, or blackheads), visible blood vessels (telangiectasias), and swelling of the skin. Dramatic facial flushing may occur after consuming alcohol, hot drinks, or spicy foods, or after exposure to excessive sunlight or extremes of hot or cold. In the eye, acne rosacea produces symptoms known as blepharitis. Over time, rosacea may cause the nose to become enlarged.

Treatment of rosacea involves avoiding stimuli that worsen the disease and using medications similar to those used for acne. Laser treatment can remove unsightly blood vessels and reduce flushing.

Proposed Natural Treatments

A substantial (246-participant) twelve-week double-blind study found that a cream containing 1 percent Chrysanthellum indicum significantly improved rosacea symptoms compared with placebo. In another placebo-controlled study, a combination of milk thistle and methylsulfonylmethane topically applied by forty-six persons for one month appeared to be effective for rosacea. Weaker evidence hints that cream containing niacinamide might be helpful. One preliminary study found some evidence that a cream made from green tea may provide benefits as well.

Some alternative medicine practitioners believe that rosacea is caused by poor digestion and so recommend the use of betaine hydrochloride or apple cider vinegar to increase stomach acid. In addition, they may recommend digestive enzymes. However, there is no meaningful scientific evidence to indicate that using these treatments will reduce symptoms of rosacea.

Other natural treatments that are sometimes recommended for rosacea, but that also lack scientific support, include aloe, aromatherapy, burdock, chamomile, Chinese herbal medicine, food allergen avoidance, red clover, rose hips, selenium, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, yellow dock, and zinc. Some herbs and supplements should be used only with caution because they could interact adversely with drugs used to treat rosacea.

Bibliography

Berardesca, E., et al. “Combined Effects of Silymarin and Methylsulfonylmethane in the Management of Rosacea: Clinical and Instrumental Evaluation.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 7 (2008): 8-14.

Draelos, Z. D., et al. “Niacinamide-Containing Facial Moisturizer Improves Skin Barrier and Benefits Subjects with Rosacea.” Cutis 76 (2005): 135-141.

National Rosacea Society. http://www.rosacea.org.

Rigopoulos, D., et al. “Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Flavonoid-Rich Plant Extract-Based Cream in the Treatment of Rosacea.” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 19 (2005): 564-568.

Turkington, Carol, and Jeffrey S. Dover. The Encyclopedia of Skin and Skin Disorders. 3d ed. New York: Facts On File, 2007.