Thursday, December 06, 2007

Rosacea News November 2007

1. COL-118/Sansrosa $150+ a month ?

A recent investor presentation from Collagenex gives some hints as to how Collagenex will price COL-118. Collagenex believe that their anti erythema product used for  2-4 months of treatment at $150 a month leads to a $330-660 million market. $150 a month for COL-118 treatment sounds like a lot. One wonders how much the suggested $150 a month will translate to at the pharmacy counter.

(click to continue reading →)

 

2. Sansrosa’s sister to enter redness race

PubMed pushed out an interesting abstract in the last couple of days. A bit of digging reveals what looks to be a running mate for COL-118/Sansrosa. COL-118 and Oxymetazoline appear to be promoted by separate groups of researchers. This is good news for rosacea sufferers as it means there may well be a choice between 2 topicals that can help address the redness and flushing of rosacea.

(click to continue reading →)

 

3. aspirin for flushing says Dr. Bikowski

Alluding to a link between rosacea and migraines, Dr. Joseph Bikowski says that aspirin should be the first line of defense against rosacea flushing. A recent article in Dermatology Times highlights the potential benefits (and risks) of taking low doses of aspirin long term for rosacea swelling and flushing.

(click to continue reading →)

 

4. Clinuvel trialling CUV1647 (melanotan) for skin cancer for transplantees

Getting some press in Australia currently is a story about a trial starting today in Melbourne. The trial will assess the efficacy of CUV1647 (also known as melanotan) to protect against skin cancer in patients who have had organ transplants. Patients who have received organ transplants are at a much higher risk of contracting skin cancer because of the immune suppressive drugs that they must take.

(click to continue reading →)

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Rosacea News October 2007

Rosacea News October 2007

1. the best moisturisers with sunscreen

I love CHOICE Magazine in Australia. They do great reviews, always concentrating on practical outcomes. A recent report dealt with moisturisers (yes we spell them with an "s") on the Australian market that also contain sunscreen. For those that want both the protection offered by a sunscreen and a good moisturizer, this report is for you.

2. ivermectin clears untreatable rosacea

In this case report of one patient, the papules and pustules of rosacea were difficult to treat until oral ivermectin was included in the treatment regime. This 2007 paper is similar to a 2002 paper, Treatment of rosacea-like demodicidosis with oral ivermectin and topical permethrin cream. The 2002 paper is also a case report of a single patient with recalcitrant symptoms

3. spotlight on rosacure (synchrorose) silymarin + MSM, user reviews

Rosacure has been around for a while and is easily available, but it seems that only a few rosacea-support members rave about it. The products genesis and marketing are  good, so lets look at some of the available background information and product reviews.

4. measuring ocular rosacea severity

The National Rosacea Society has today posted a blog item about some new research into wanting to quantify the severity of ocular rosacea symptoms. From Scoring Aids Eye Research The new questionnaire, called the Severity Criteria of Ocular Rosacea (SCOR), includes more than 25 signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea observed by both physician and patient, including eye dryness, tearing and burning; history ...

5. tinted moisturizers, ever tried them ?

A great thread has been started at the Rosacea Support Forum on tinted moisturizers. The poster mimicocolulu has been writing some great posts lately. Here, in the new Makeup and Cover Up forum, she gives us the low down on how tinted moisturizers can work well for rosacea sufferers.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Rosacea News September 2007

1. how metrogel works II - free oxygen radicals

Another recently published paper that seeks to understand the role of Reactive Oxygen Species in the development of rosacea. The inflammatory pathway that leads to rosacea symptoms is slowing gaining more and more attention. All rosacea sufferers should do themselves a favor and do some reading on the role of inflammation in rosacea.

http://rosacea-support.org/how-metrogel-works-ii-free-oxygen-radicals.html

2. Melanocorp gets warning from FDA for melanotan II

Looks like the FDA has finally caught up with Melanocorp for selling Melanotan II over the internet. Their web site currently down. "FDA Issues Warning Letter to Melanocorp, Inc. For Illegal Sale of Melanotan II Melanocorp, Inc. advertises the product Melanotan II on its Web site as an injectable tanning product, with additional claims that it is effective in protecting against skin cancer and rosacea."

http://rosacea-support.org/melanocorp-gets-warning-from-fda-for-melanotan-ii.html

3. an interview with Ann-Marie Lindstrom, The Rosacea Handbook

Here is the first in what I hope will be a series of interviews with a few rosacea writers that are mostly unknown to the online rosacea community.

Thanks to Ann-Marie Lindstrom for agreeing to answer some questions from Rosacea News.

http://rosacea-support.org/an-interview-with-ann-marie-lindstrom-the-rosacea-handbook.html

4. maximum effective dose of doxycycline is 40mg a day

There has been a lot of copy written about so-called low dose or anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline. This form of antibiotic therapy is one of the more promising recent therapeutic developments ; it will likely become a widely known and available treatment.

http://rosacea-support.org/maximum-effective-dose-of-doxycycline-is-40mg-a-day.html

5. Rosa Relief Face Cream offering free samples

Gary Hammerstrom from Bio-Application Technologies is offering a free sample of a new product his company has developed. His offer has been posted to the RSG as Free sample offer of a new product named Rosa Relief Face Cream.

http://rosacea-support.org/rosa-relief-face-cream-offering-free-samples.html

6. Long Pulse Dye Laser and Nd:YAG (Cynergy Multiplex) used together

This just published paper is a case report of one 60 year-old patient who was unresponsive to the usual first line rosacea treatments. Additionally 2 treatments with Lumens One IPL were unable to offer clearance.

http://rosacea-support.org/long-pulse-dye-laser-and-ndyag-cynergy-multiplex-used-together.html

7. new rosacea support forum: how to post

The new Rosacea Support Forum is up and running. This forum is one the companion forum to the email based Rosacea Support Yahoo!Group.

The new forum is fast, friendly and fun !

http://rosacea-support.org/new-rosacea-support-forum-how-to-post.html

8. an interview with Arlen Brownstein, Rosacea, Your Self-Help Guide

Thanks to Arlen Brownstein  for answering some questions from Rosacea News.

http://rosacea-support.org/an-interview-with-arlen-brownstein-rosacea-your-self-help-guide.html

9. arnica montana for swelling and bruising

In a recent Rosacea News article the highlighted LPDL treatment regime used Arnica pre- and post- treatment to reduce the bruising and swelling associated with pulse dye laser.

http://rosacea-support.org/arnica-montana-for-swelling-and-bruising.html

10. an interview with Georgie Holbrook, Joy-Full Holistic Remedies

Thanks to Georgie Holbrook for answering some questions for Rosacea News

http://rosacea-support.org/an-interview-with-georgie-holbrook-joy-full-holistic-remedies.html

11. topical kinetin (kinerase) moisturizer for anti-aging

This article was first highlighted by Rosacea News in March 2006 as result of the 2006 Annual Meeting of the AAD, Poster Session in San Francisco. The paper was called Tolerability and efficacy of a moisturizing lotion containing 0.1% kinetin for improving the signs of acne rosacea in facial and neck skin

http://rosacea-support.org/topical-kinetin-kinerase-moisturizer-for-anti-aging.html

12. incyclinide fails for rosacea, acne still possible

Despite promising looking Phase 1 and initial Phase 2 dose finding studies, Incyclinide will no longer be developed as a treatment for rosacea.

http://rosacea-support.org/incyclinide-fails-for-rosacea-acne-still-possible.html

Monday, September 03, 2007

Rosacea News August 2007

Rosacea News August 2007 - http://rosacea-support.org/2007/08

1. Cathelicidins make the news

Lots of buzz at the moment about the publicity raised by a nature.com article about Cathelicidins.

This article is a result of a few years of research by Dr. Gallo. We’ve been reading about this research, some of it sponsored by the NRS, since at least the Fall of 2002

2. sanrosa (COL-118) phase 2 looking promising

As was mentioned in January this year, COL-118 (product code used for the sansrosa product) is expected to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 in 2007. Collagenex has published results from their Phase 2 trials that were conducted in order to test some dosage levels to assess how they effective they are and also any side effects.

3. Rosacea News is changing

As I approach 300 articles for Rosacea News, it is time for a bit of a change. I started writing items in July 2005, and back then I wasn’t really sure what I’d find. Since then I’ve learnt heaps as I trolled the internet looking for fresh and interesting developments in the world of rosacea. Surprisingly, there is a lot of good information out there.

4. Most popular Resource & Supplements Items

Dan has done a great job in creating and maintaining the Rosacea Supplements & Resources Pages. I’ve just checked the server stats and here are links to the most popular pages.

5. how to cure a red face (facial erythema or redness)

Many rosacea sufferers are looking for help to reduce the redness of their face. This is one of the first rosacea symptoms that people might notice. What treatments have fellow rosacea sufferers used to hide the ruddiness and angry face that sometimes accompanies rosacea ?

6. RR: Summer 2007 Roundup, demodex bacteria

The NRS have published their Summer 2007 edition of Rosacea Review. They highlight a paper presented at this year’s AAD Meeting in Washington DC.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Rosacea News July 2007

Rosacea News July 2007

view all the July News Items online: http://rosacea-support.org/2007/07

1. oracea plus metrogel, better than 100mg doxycycline plus metrogel ?

A clinical trial, sponsored by CollaGenex, is recruiting patients to see how Oracea compares to doxycycline (100mg once a day) when combined with metrogel 1%.

We can see from a Collagenex annual report that COL-101 was the name for Periostat MR, which then became Oracea.

oracea plus metrogel, better than 100mg doxycycline plus metrogel ?

2. organic tomatoes higher in quercetin and kaempferol

In a 10 year study highlighted by the BBC, organic tomatoes were found to contain twice the levels of flavonoids compared with commonly grown tomatoes.

organic tomatoes higher in quercetin and kaempferol

3. Melanotan causing vision problems ?

An interesting thread over at the Rosacea Forum to do with the safety of taking melanotan. Steve, who is using Melanotan himself, points to a thread on a Melanotan message board where Robert is reporting some issues with gradual onset vision problems ;

Melanotan causing vision problems ?

4. VEGF and macular degeneration any link to rosacea ?

It is not only rosacea that is interested in how VEGF affects blood vessels and thus how a disease that is related to blood vessels progresses. The `wet` type of macular degeneration is associated with the growth of abnormal blood vessels. Thus there may well be some common areas of research between rosacea and macular degeneration

VEGF and macular degeneration any link to rosacea ?

5. Daily Telegraph: seeing red, how to combat rosacea

It is nice to see that slowly newspaper articles on rosacea are becoming more informed. One might even think that they are surfing the net to see what new information is out there.

Daily Telegraph: seeing red, how to combat rosacea
_________________

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Rosacea Support and News Pages on the move

The Rosacea Support Group and Rosacea News pages are moving to a new site. Yes that's right, after quite a few years at rosacea.ii.net they are on the move to a new wordpress inspired site at rosacea-support.org ;

Now with the ability to leave a comment on every page and a great search feature and posts all nicely categorised.

Coming soon a new forum as well.

If you are an internet wizard and use a feed reader, you can just click here ;

Enjoy !

Friday, July 06, 2007

Rosacea News June 2007

1. Trial recruiting for Pulse Dye Laser with Photodynamic Therapy

TRIAL: The Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen is currently recruiting patients for a study comparing  the "efficacy and adverse effect from long-pulsed dye laser versus long-pulsed dye laser-mediated photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris and rosacea." The study is titled Laser-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy of Acne Vulgaris and Rosacea

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/06/trial-recruiting-for-pulse-dye-laser.html

2. cetaphil moisturizing cream helps rosacea dry skin

PAPER: This study is saying that a gentle moisturizer is an important part of a rosacea beating regime. This was one of the gems that took me years to realize. In order to best treat rosacea, you will need to find a good gentle skin care routine. This routine should include a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Any prescription or over the counter topicals can then be added to your gentle care regime.

Beneficial use of Cetaphil(R) Moisturizing Cream as part of a daily skin care regimen for individuals with rosacea. J Dermatolog Treat.  2007;18(3):158-62., Laquieze S, Czernielewski J, Baltas E. , PERITESCO. Paris. France.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/06/cetaphil-moisturizing-cream-helps.html

3. anxiety, depression and being obsessed with your skin

NEWSPAPER: From: This is London, from the Evening Standard: Train suicide of woman depressed by her wrinkles

What a terribly sad story. Rosacea can be an all consuming disease and there is definitely a danger in becoming obsessed with your skin. The struggle to look normal can be too much for some, sadly. Please everyone realize that other people really aren't as interested or worried about your skin as you are. If you feel you aren't coping with your anxiety or feelings about yourself then please be brave enough to see a doctor and ask for some help.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/06/anxiety-depression-and-being-obsessed.html

4. WP: Fashion & Beauty Article: Seeing Red

NEWSPAPER: It is not very often than an online newspaper or news site features a half decent article about rosacea. This article from the Fashion & Beauty section of the Washington Post is reasonable for a mass audience paper. Rosacea is still a mystery to the population at large, so it is encouraging to see this sort of article. 

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/06/wp-fashion-beauty-article-seeing-red.html

5. metrogel: how it gets into your skin

PAPER: Two recently published papers look at the processes involved when you apply metrogel topically. The first abstract just tells us that they undertook some new ways of measuring metronidazole absorption, but doesn't reveal their results.

The second abstract suggests that a cream based metronidazole formulation (presumably metrocream, but could also include Noritate) had the greatest absorption when tested with human skin. They suggest that future research is needed to determine if indeed this makes any difference to rosacea symptoms.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/06/metrogel-how-it-gets-into-your-skin.html

6. demodex mite bacteria causes the inflammation ?

PAPER: This paper is proposing that a particular type of bacteria taken from a demodex mite, called Bacillus oleronius is capable of producing an inflammatory response. As the mite was isolated from a patient with papulopustular rosacea the tempting conclusion is that this bacteria has caused these rosacea symptoms. This part is of course not confirmed, just the fact that it is possible to isolate a bacteria that causes an inflammatory response in humans.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/06/demodex-mite-bacteria-causes.html

Monday, June 04, 2007

Rosacea News May 2007

1. RRF funded study: cathelicidins and VEGF reduced by IPL/PDL

The NRS has published on their blog some results from a recently
concluded study. The study was titled `Structural and biologic changes in the rosacea skin induced by pulse dye laser and intense pulsed light', and was part funded by the now defunct Rosacea Research Foundation.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/05/rrf-funded-study-cathelicidins-and-vegf.html

2. wearing contact lenses and ocular rosacea

Many rosacea sufferers, especially those who suffer from ocular rosacea wonder if they will ever be able to regularly and comfortably wear contact lenses. When your eyes are sore, gritty and blurry would one want to consider trying to apply a contact lens ? I don't have any
ocular symptoms but I do know that I take it as right to be able to
wear contacts instead of the hassle of glasses.

PAPER: In this article, Contact Lens Wear in The Rosacea Patient (which was mentioned in a recent edition of Rosacea Review), Dr. Mannis lists the factors involved with the successful wearing of contact lenses when you suffer from ocular symptoms.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/05/wearing-contact-lenses-and-ocular.html

3. melanotan: could it cause skin cancer ?

This article from the DailyMail is offering some warnings about being
too quick to jump on the Melanotan II bandwagon. It is worth
remembering on top of all of the warnings below, that Melanotan
specifically as a rosacea treatment is also something we know very
little about. I think that the combination of rosacea sufferers
desperate for relief, the relative ease of obtaining Melanotan, and the fact that so little is known about its effects, is a recipe for
dangerous outcomes.

NEWS PAPER: Pretty pills: The dark side of the latest underground
beauty trend

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/05/melanotan-could-it-cause-skin-cancer.html

4. elidel vs. protopic, does it work for rosacea bumps ?

This recently published blind study suggests that elidel (pimecrolimus)
is no better for rosacea papules and pustules than the vehicle it uses.

A previous study in 2005, Pimecrolimus for treatment of acne rosacea
suggested that elidel could indeed be useful for rosacea, but this
study was not a double blind study - it was not compared to another
inactive topical.

PAPER: Pimecrolimus cream 1% for papulopustular rosacea: a randomized vehicle-controlled double-blind trial.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/05/elidel-vs-protopic-does-it-work-for.html

5. incyclinide dosage trials: 40mg too much

Collagenex has announced that their ongoing trials to find the best
dosage for Incyclinide have discovered that 40mg can cause
photo-toxicity.

PRESS RELEASE: CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals Discontinues 40 mg Cohort of Phase II Dose-Finding Study of Incyclinide for the Treatment of Acne

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/05/incyclinide-dosage-trials-40mg-too-much.html

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Rosacea News April 2007

1. Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) and azithromycin
PAPER: The role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the etiology of acne rosacea: response to the use of oral azithromycin.

As a followup to the recent note pathogen infection (Chlamydia pneumoniae) cause theory, comes a recently published paper, the first to address Cpn and Rosacea. This paper is very preliminary, but at least now Cpn is on the map.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/04/chlamydia-pneumoniae-cpn-and.html

2. Pyratine 6 (vs. Kinetin) reduces redness and acne lesions

WEB Site: The internet Press Release sites are full of an announcemet from Senetek about a product called Pyratine 6 and its possible use in treating rosacea. The announcement is based on a comparison of Pyratine 6 with another of Senetek's products - Kinetin.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/04/pyratine-6-vs-kinetin-reduces-redness.html

3. IPL excellent for treating red face and broken blood vessels

This 2007 paper confirms another study which was published in the same journal in 2003.

PAPER: Objective Evaluation of the Effect of Intense Pulsed Light on Rosacea and Solar Lentigines by Spectrophotometric Analysis of Skin Color.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/04/ipl-excellent-for-treating-red-face-and.html

4. anti-flammatory actions of tetracyclines

This article, just published is adding to body of research of the anti-inflammatory actions of the tetracycline family.

PAPER: Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Tetracyclines

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/04/anti-flammatory-actions-of.html

5. oxytetracycline (Terramycin) joins low dose antibiotics

This paper (sadly only available in Polish) highlights the fact that one more tetracycline - oxytetracycline is joining the ranks of proven low dose antibiotics. A normal dose of oxytetracycline is 250-500mg four times a day.

PAPER: Oxytetracycline--mechanism of action and application in skin diseases

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/04/oxytetracycline-terramycin-joins-low.html

6. cutanix goes offline, gets letter from FDA

A few people have noticed that Cutanix seems to have vanished off the face of the internet. Their web sites at cutanix.com, tvdepot.com are offline, and their corporate web site at bioformmedical.com no longer even mentions Cutanix.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/04/cutanix-goes-offline-gets-letter-from.html

7. flavay anthogenol hydrates and reduces skin stress

I thought this product sounded interesting, especially as it is professionally promoted, readily available, but little is known about how well it works for rosacea stressed skin. Anything that has been proven to reduce oxidative stress and help hydration could also help in rosacea.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/04/flavay-anthogenol-hydrates-and-reduces.html

Monday, April 30, 2007

flavay anthogenol hydrates and reduces skin stress

I thought this product sounded interesting, especially as it is professionally promoted, readily available, but little is known about how well it works for rosacea stressed skin. Anything that has been proven to reduce oxidative stress and help hydration could also help in rosacea. Some of the other claims like ;

"In addition to being a potent antioxidant, ANTHOGENOL is best known for the nutritional support it gives to the vascular system, especially to the thin and delicate capillaries where all the system’s essential functions culminate."

[Proven Health Benefits for Circulatory System]

also sound interesting.

Only time and user feedback will tell how well this supplement works. If you do try Anthogenol please post over at rosacea-support and let us know how you get on.

Anthogenol is made from pine bark and grape seed extract ;

Dr. Masquelier received several patents for the commercial extraction and isolation of OPCs from pine bark and grape seeds. It is these highly defined complexes that have been subject to intensive biological, toxicological, pharmacological and analytical research; and approved in Europe as over-the-counter medicines.

[Masquelier on OPCs and grape seed extracts and pine bark extracts]

The web sites are professional looking so the company is investing in the promotion of this product.

One relevant looking study is below ;

Anti-Inflammatory and Skin-Hydrating Properties of a Dietary Supplement and Topical Formulations Containing Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, B. Hughes-Formella, O. Wunderlich, R. Williams, Bioskin GmbH, Hamburg, Germany. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology 2007;20:43-49

Background: Anti-inflammatory and skin hydration properties of a dietary supplement and 2 topical formulations (Anthogenol) with oligomeric proanthocyanidins were investigated.

Methods: Forty-two subjects were randomized into 2 groups: one taking the dietary supplement (100 mg/day) and the other without supplement. After 4 weeks, erythema was induced using UV radiation followed by treatment with topical cream or lotion. Erythema was measured for up to 72 h after irradiation. Skin hydration after 1 and 2 weeks of application of the cream and lotion was also measured in separate test fields.

Results: Both topical formulations led to a significant suppression of erythema formation and the dietary supplement led to an additional slightly stronger suppression. Thus 72 h after UV exposure and compared to the control fields of patients that had not taken a dietary supplement, erythema was slightly (13.2%) lower in the subjects that had taken a dietary supplement. The cream resulted in a maximal reduction of erythema of 45.9% (p = 0.0015), while the lotion resulted in a maximal reduction of 53.1% (p = 0.0002). Both topical formulations also increased skin hydration (by nearly 20%; p < 0.002 for all combinations of dietary supplementation and topical treatment) and the hydration was higher in the group taking the dietary supplement.

Conclusion: The regular use of Anthogenol products may help to protect from free-radical-mediated skin inflammation and to increase skin hydration.

Further Reading ;

Monday, April 09, 2007

ocular demodex, tea tree oil as a treatment

ocular demodex, tea tree oil as a treatment

This recently published paper suggests that a variety of ocular symptoms might be caused by demodex infestation. Six patients all having demodex present, and suffering with recalcitrant symptoms (including 4 diagnosed with rosacea) were given tea tree oil for a weekly eyelid scrub and tea tree shampoo for a daily scrub. All patients showed a large decrease in demodex counts and relief from their symptoms. Other recently published studies are showing that tea tree oil kills demodex.

Eucerin Redness Relief: product reviews

Eucerin Redness Relief: product reviews In 2005 a new range of skin care products from Eucerin (Beiersdorf Inc) called Eucerin Redness Relief was released. They are claimed as "Safe for sensitive skin and appropriate for Rosacea".

aveeno ultra calming with feverfew: product reviews

aveeno ultra calming with feverfew: product reviews There is a lot of interest from rosacea sufferers in treating their rosacea with natural or herbal therapies and remedies. Many shy away from treatments like antibiotics and metrogel. So far the best collection of information about natural products I've found is a paper called Treatment of Rosacea with Herbal Ingredients. One of the herbs mentioned in that paper was Feverfew.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Rosacea News March 2007

Rosacea News March 2007

1. Xolegel for treating seborrheic dermatitis (seb derm)

PAPER: Anti-inflammatory effects of ketoconazole: Clinical benefits in
the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/03/xolegel-for-treating-seborrheic.html

2. wanted: 11-18 year olds for survey about online support

SURVEY: Fiona Fox, who is a PhD student at The Centre for Appearance
Research, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK, is looking
for young people with a skin condition to take part in some research
online.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/03/wanted-11-18-year-olds-for-survey-about.html

3. ocular rosacea difficult to cope with

PAPER: Quality of life impact of ocular rosacea,

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/03/ocular-rosacea-difficult-to-cope-with.html

4. aveeno ultra calming with feverfew: product reviews

REVIEWS: Aveeno has released 3 products from their `Active Naturals
Feverfew' range ; Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15,
Ultra-Calming Moisturizing Cream and Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/03/aveeno-ultra-calming-with-feverfew.html

5. lavender, arnica, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and calendula ; do they work ?

MAGAZINE: Natural first aid: Are natural first-aid remedies effective?'

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/03/lavender-arnica-aloe-vera-tea-tree-oil.html

6. pathogen infection (Chlamydia pneumoniae) cause theory

COMMENTS: A really interesting thread is going on in the
rosacea-support group. Dan is airing some of his thoughts on how a
pathogen might lead to the chronic inflammation we see in rosacea.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/03/pathogen-infection-chlamydia-pneumoniae.html

7. so just how does metrogel work ?

COMMENTS: Actually the way that metronidazole works is well known. How
the effect of metrogel leads to a benefit in rosacea, well, that is
something worth exploring some more later on.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/03/so-just-how-does-metrogel-work.html

8. exotic and expensive cosmetics, do they work ?
WEB SITE: Golf for Women: First Annual Skin Care Awards.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/03/exotic-and-expensive-cosmetics-do-they.html

9. ocular demodex, tea tree oil as a treatment

PAPER: Corneal Manifestations of Ocular Demodex Infestation
PAPER: Clinical treatment of ocular demodecosis by lid scrub with tea
tree oil
PAPER: In vitro and in vivo killing of ocular Demodex by tea tree oil.

http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/03/ocular-demodex-tea-tree-oil-as.html

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

pathogen infection (Chlamydia pneumoniae) cause theory

A really interesting thread is going on in the rosacea-support group. Dan is airing some of his thoughts on how a pathogen might lead to the chronic inflammation we see in rosacea. Even though Dan clearly states he has no medical background (and indeed it is worth remembering this point) it is clear that he has done a lot of reading on this topic.

Some more thoughts on a possible link: Chlamydia pneumoniae and Rosacea: A potential link?

Chlamydia pneumoniae may be something new to many (it was to me), so also see the wikipedia page: Chlamydophila pneumoniae

lavender, arnica, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and calendula ; do they work ?

Australia's Choice magazine is an independent magazine that reviews products from the point of view of the consumer. Recently they published an articled titled `Natural first aid: Are natural first-aid remedies effective?'

The summary of the article ;

There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence from years of traditional use, but scientific evidence for the clinical effectiveness of natural first-aid remedies is generally lacking.

Most of the world relies mainly on natural medicines, and their popularity is growing in the west. You can easily find natural first-aid remedies in pharmacies and healthfood shops. But can you be sure that they’ll work?

Something I hadn't heard of before is a body called `Commision E'. Where available the article cites findings from Commission E.

Commission E

An exception to the lack of scientific study of natural remedies is Commission E, a German government regulatory agency composed of scientists, pharmacists, toxicologists, physicians and herbalists that has produced a series of documents known as herbal monographs — essentially formal reviews of medicinal herbs based on the available scientific evidence as well as evidence from traditional use, case studies and the experience of modern herbalists. The monographs are considered to provide authoritative information including approved uses of the herbs and their side effects, interactions and doses.

See the full article for examples of where Commission E has published relevant information.

Some of the remedies in this article have been discussed in the past as possible treatments for rosacea. Unfortunately there isn't much in this well written article suggesting that any of these natural remedies have been proven as effective for inflammatory skin diseases. 

Following are some interesting extracts ; 

Aloe Vera

The evidence is mixed, but it probably can’t hurt to try certified aloe vera gel (or aloe vera juice squeezed directly from the plant, if you have one) on minor wounds and burns/sunburn — and it might work.

Arnica

Arnica montana is a medicinal herb with a long history of use for treating swelling and bruising resulting from blows, and injuries such as sprains. Arnica flower is commonly available in both herbal and homeopathic preparations.

Clinical evidence for arnica as an effective first aid treatment is lacking, but people with osteoarthritis might want to give it a go.

Calendula

Calendula officinalis, or marigold, is a member of the daisy family (Compositae/Asteraceae). Its preparations have been used since ancient times to treat inflammatory skin conditions and accelerate wound healing.

Lavender oil

Oil from the lavender flower (Lavandula angustifolia) has been used as an antiseptic in medicine since ancient Arabian, Greek and Roman times.

The clinical evidence for its effectiveness as an antiseptic is lacking, though sprinkling lavender oil in your bathwater to help you relax is likely to be safe enough.

Tea tree oil

Australian Aborigines have used the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant for medicinal purposes for many centuries. Tea tree oil’s traditional use is as an antiseptic for preventing and treating minor skin infections.

The evidence so far is encouraging, though not definitive. It may be worth a try on insect bites and minor skin infections.

Further Reading ;

so just how does metrogel work ?

I have mentioned a few times in the past that the way that metrogel helps rosacea is unknown. This statement deserves some clarification. Actually the way that metronidazole works is well known. How the effect of metrogel leads to a benefit in rosacea, well, that is something worth exploring some more later on.

You may wonder why there is so much emphasis on the metronidazole based products ? As much as metrogel and its friends metrocream, metrolotion, rozex, noritate (and indeed generic metrogel, also from fougera) are not a panacea for rosacea, they do represent the single most proven treatment specifically for rosacea. Thus newly diagnosed rosacea sufferers are quite likely to leave their doctor's surgery with a script for metro-something. All the studies show that in many cases metrogel does indeed work. Further, other studies clearly show that combining metrogel with antibiotics results in better clearance.

So back to `how does it work ?'  Well my one sentence summary is "metronidazole breaks down into a substance that kills the DNA of the cells of some particular bacteria and protozoa".

Thanks to Dan for sending me the following links ;

From DrugBank: Metronidazole

Pharmacology: Metronidazole, a synthetic antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent of the nitroimidazole class, is used against protozoa such as Trichomonas vaginalis, amebiasis, and giardiasis. Metronidazole is extremely effective against anaerobic bacterial infections and is also used to treat Crohn's disease, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and rosacea.

Mechanism of Action: Unionized metronidazole is selective for anaerobic bacteria due to their ability to intracellularly reduce metronidazole to its active form. This reduced metronidazole then disrupts DNA's helical structure, inhibiting bacterial nucleic acid synthesis and resulting in bacterial cell death.

From Antibiotics that Inhibit Nucleic Acid Synthesis

Figure 11-8. Structure of metronidazole and its mechanism of action. Metronidazole enters an aerobic bacterium where, via the electron transport protein ferrodoxin, it is reduced. The drug then binds to DNA, and DNA breakage occurs.

(An anaerobic organism is any organism that does not require oxygen for growth. Protozoa are a particular type of single cell organisms.)

This naturally leads to the followup question - if eliminating the substances that metronidazole (and for the purposes of this argument, lets include systemic antibiotics as well) is active against leads to relief from some rosacea symptoms, what does that say about the possible cause of rosacea ? Now, that is a question that there isn't much agreement about and something worth talking about some more, later.

Further Reading ;

ocular demodex, tea tree oil as a treatment

This recently published paper suggests that a variety of ocular symptoms might be caused by demodex infestation. Six patients all having demodex present, and suffering with recalcitrant symptoms (including 4 diagnosed with rosacea) were given tea tree oil for a weekly eyelid scrub and tea tree shampoo for a daily scrub. All patients showed a large decrease in demodex counts and relief from their symptoms.

Other recently published studies are showing that tea tree oil kills demodex. See ;

I have always pushed the line that demodex mites have thus far only been proven to be innocent bystanders in rosacea symptoms. In order to prove that the mites are responsible for some ocular symptoms we now need double blind studies to show 2 things - firstly that killing demodex does lead to a reduction in ocular rosacea symptoms and secondly some studies that show how tea tree oil works. We also now need larger studies that confirm that tea tree oil is a safe therapy for ocular symptoms.

Corneal Manifestations of Ocular Demodex Infestation, Kheirkhah A, Casas V, Li W, Raju VK, Tseng SC., Ocular Surface Center, Miami, Florida. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Mar 19

PURPOSE: To report the corneal manifestations in eyes with Demodex infestation of the eyelids.

DESIGN: Noncomparative, interventional case series.

METHODS: This retrospective review included six patients with Demodex blepharitis who also exhibited corneal abnormalities, which led to suspicion of limbal stem cell deficiency in three cases. All patients received weekly lid scrubs with 50% tea tree oil and a daily lid scrubs with tea tree shampoo for a minimum of six weeks. Improvement of symptoms and corneal and conjunctival signs were evaluated.

RESULTS: All six patients exhibited ocular irritation and conjunctival inflammation, while meibomian gland dysfunction (n = 5), rosacea (n = 4), and decreased vision (n = 3) also were noted despite prior treatments with oral tetracycline, topical steroids with antibiotics, and lid scrub with baby shampoo. These patients were proven to have Demodex folliculorum (n = 6) and Demodex brevis (n = 3) by microscopic examination of epilated lashes. Their corneal manifestation included superficial corneal vascularization (six eyes of five cases), marginal corneal infiltration (two eyes of two cases), phlyctenule-like lesion (one eye of one case), superficial corneal opacity (two eyes of two cases), and nodular corneal scar (two eyes of two cases). After treatment, the Demodex count was reduced from 6.8 +/- 2.8 to 1 +/- 0.9 (standard deviation; P = .001). All patients showed dramatic resolution of ocular irritation, conjunctival inflammation, and all inflammatory, but not scarred, corneal signs; three patients showed improved vision.

CONCLUSIONS: A variety of corneal pathologic features together with conjunctival inflammation, commonly noted in rosacea, can be found in patients with Demodex infestation of the eyelids. When conventional treatments for rosacea fail, one may consider lid scrub with tea tree oil to eradicate mites as a new treatment.

Further Reading ;

Friday, March 02, 2007

Rosacea News February 2007

Rosacea News February 2007





1. demodex bacteria - could that be the cause ?





PAPER: Electron microscopic investigation into the possible etiology of


rosacea and the implication for treatment,





http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/02/demodex-bacteria-could-that-be-cause.html





2. red face and photodynamic therapy (PDT)





PAPER: Topical photodynamic therapy for treatment of facial erythema


with acne vulgaris





http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/02/red-face-and-photodynamic-therapy-pdt.html





3. topical antihistamine reduces oily skin and acne





PAPER: A 4-week, randomized, double-blind, parallel group trial


evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of sebum control product in


male and female subjects with oily skin appearance and mild to moderate


acne vulgaris





http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/02/topical-antihistamine-reduces-oily-skin.html





4. revlon (Almay) sensitive skin cream helps rosacea





PAPER: Use of a liquid cream improves sensitive rosacea-prone skin





http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/02/revlon-almay-sensitive-skin-cream-helps.html





5. Mariah Carey has rosacea ? celebrities as advocates ?





MAGAZINE: I’ve got thighs and buttocks, I'm never going to be a size zero





http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/02/mariah-carey-has-rosacea-celebrities-as.html





6. rambazole dose and side effects being studied





PAPER: Tolerability, safety, and pharmacokinetics of single and


multiple oral dosages of R115866 in healthy volunteers





http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/02/rambazole-dose-and-side-effects-being.html





7. cleansing your SD skin with a sonic brush (Clarisonic)





PAPER: An efficacy assessment of a novel skin cleansing device in


seborrheic dermatitis,





http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2007/02/cleansing-your-sd-skin-with-sonic-brush.html
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