Well-being Q&A: Acne Rosacea

I have been suffering from acne around my nose and chin for a very long time. This area is perennially red in colour and more oily than the rest of my face. Also the spots take a long time to heal. Please suggest an ayurvedic remedy to help get rid of the problem and to achieve an even skin tone for the rest of my life.

S.F. Dubai

Acne Rosacea appears as a red rash that is confined to the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin mostly seen in adults. It is also sometimes called "adult acne".

Blood vessels may also become more visible on the skin. Acne Rosacea is different from regular acne as there are usually no blackheads or whiteheads in rosacea. Rosacea signs and symptoms may flare up for a period of weeks to months and then lessen for a while before flaring up again.

Many over-the-counter skincare products contain ingredients such as acids, alcohol and other irritants that may also worsen rosacea.

About one in two people with rosacea experience ocular rosacea - a burning sensation in the eyes.

In severe and rare cases, the oil glands in nose and cheeks become enlarged, resulting in a build up of tissue around nose, a condition called rhinophyma.

The exact cause of rosacea is still unknown and the basic process seems to involve dilation of the small blood vessels of the face.

Suspected causes of rosacea include but are not limited to genetic factors, genetics plus sun exposure, a mite sometimes found in hair follicles, the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (that is associated with stomach ulcers), gastrointestinal disease, and medications that cause blood vessels to widen.

This is considered as a Pitta imbalanced skin condition according to ayurveda.

A number of factors can aggravate rosacea or make it worse by increasing blood flow to the surface of your skin.

Some of these include: consumption of hot foods or beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, temperature extremes, sunlight, stress, anger, strenuous exercise, hot baths, saunas, certain blood pressure medications.

The emphasis should be on therapies that have a calming influence (Pitta balance) on the skin.

Avoid synthetic chemicals. Use products that are labelled non-comedogenic. Wear a non-comedogenic sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Apply a herbal paste made from a mixture of neem, mint, coriander, sandalwood powder, green gram flour and rose water. This paste helps soothe the affected skin.
Consumption of herbs like Santalum album* (sandalwood) Tinospora cordifolia* (guduchi), azadirachta indica* (neem tree), pterocarpus santalinus* (red sandalwood) would be of help. You may take Guloochyadi kashayam* regularly for two months
Soak a soft cotton pad in ice-cold water (or cold milk) and hold it on the affected area
Healthy fats, fruits and vegetables
Avoid non-vegetarian food as much as possible
Reduce intake of caffeine
Regular exercise and adequate sleep are also helpful in ensuring a smoother complexion
Avoid irritating your facial skin by rubbing or touching it too much
Avoid getting agitated or stressed
Use less make-up