Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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So, Violet9 suggested this a while back but I didn't think my persistent and untreatable "acne" on one specific part of my nose was rosacea (d'oh). After doing some more research, I am almost positive that is what it is. I'd like to avoid going to the dermatologist, at least for a little while, to see if I can manage this on my own.

I am noticing a thickening of the skin on one side of my nose with very deep redness and some small acne-like bumps. It goes without saying it is very embarrassing.

My current skin regime: splashing with just water, not adding any type of moisturizer. I was doing the oil cleansing method for a few months but noticed it was actually making my skin drier. I use a really high quality 100% mineral powder for make up.

I have been primal (no dairy, minimal chocolate and wine) for 8 plus months. I formerly was incorporating liver every week but I am going to stop doing that for awhile, since I read that an excess of vitamin A will exacerbate symptoms. I eliminated coffee about a month ago. I've cut back on my drinking for the last month (maybe 1 - 3 glasses / week). I have an autoimmune disorder where I am not supposed to be in the sun, so I usually limit my sun intake anyway (though I have gotten more lax with that, since I have been able to tolerate it more and everybody touts the benefits of sunshine). I have been supplementing with D3 (formerly 5000 IU, about to increase to 8000 IU), Zinc, Magnesium, Copper, Chromium, K2, Biotin, Evening Primrose Oil, CoQ10, and occasionally Cod Liver Oil (though rarely, since I usually get sufficient stores from my diet). I know that is a ton of supplements but I have been experimenting with the Perfect Health Diet and wanted to see how I'd do on their supplement list for a month.

What else should I do? I've been through the rosacea.org list of common triggers but I'd like to hear how you all are managing your rosacea / herbal remedies / types of face wash (if any). I know there was a similar question posted awhile back, but I'd like to get an updated answer. Also, how soon after consuming a trigger food do you notice an outbreak?

EDIT: I am going to try increasing my dosage of Evening Primrose Oil, cycling in some topical treatment with EPO and get back to a stricter autoimmune protocol. I'll report back in a month or so and update results. Thanks to everyone who chimed in.

edited Aug 13 at 13:00

asked Aug 9 at 13:33

Marcy
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milk is a trigger for me...it's almost immediate, it seems. I love ice cream, so I do get the occasional flair up. I can handle heavy cream, but if I stay away from milk long enough, my skin clears up fine. – ryan Aug 9 at 14:54

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Soy is a trigger for me. Surprisingly gluten and dairy seem to have no effect on how inflamed or red my skin looks, but gluten breaks me out. Marcy have you tried applying high-LA oils to your skin? Acne prone skin is deficient in linoleic acid generally. – BoneBrothFast Aug 9 at 17:15

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I have the same problem. Sometimes it is worse than other times, but I can never pin point the triggers. I know the neolithic foods really mess me up, as does citrus. – ROB Aug 9 at 19:27

@BBFast - I haven't tried high-LA oils.... but I will check it out when I head to my co-op later today. Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't consciously eaten gluten, except a handful of run-ins with soy sauce, since December. The thing I have been most lax with is eating things that I know are cooked in vegetable oils when I go out. Other than that, I have been pretty strict on the diet. Definitely going to try tightening the reins to see if there is an improvement! – Marcy Aug 9 at 19:47

@ ROB - I will experiment with eliminating citrus, though it makes me a little sad. – Marcy Aug 9 at 19:49

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Aglaee the Paleo RD · Answer 1 · 2012-08-10 08:08:50Z UTC

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have you tried adopting an autoimmune + gut-healing protocol?

answered Aug 10 at 8:08

Aglaee the Paleo RD
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I have tried autoimmune for a different crappy skin condition I have but didn't really notice any difference in my skin (but I am going to try it again since it wasn't difficult to adhere to and I see no harm in trying it for longer). Thanks for weighing in! – Marcy Aug 13 at 12:59

don't forget the gut-healing part! – Aglaee the Paleo RD Aug 14 at 6:55

Happy Now · Answer 2 · 2012-08-10 07:59:57Z UTC

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I wasn't actually working to control my rosacea, just an allergic reaction, but taking quercetin and nettle capsules a few times per day seems to have calmed it down quite a bit as pleasant side effect.

answered Aug 10 at 7:59

Happy Now
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Thanks for the comment! – Marcy Aug 13 at 12:56

Rachel · Answer 3 · 2012-08-09 18:49:50Z UTC

I have found that eating primal, in general has helped my rosacea and I haven't really found any foods that trigger it per say. However, it wasn't until I started taking a supplement called "Breast-D" (calcium d-glucarate and diindolylmethane) that I noticed a big decrease in my rosacea problems. These are estrogen dumping compounds, so they flush your system of estrogen. I finally went to the doctor's to have my hormone levels measured, and I was estrogen dominant and way low on my progesterone (I am assuming you are a woman from your post name). I researched the connection between estrogen and rosacea, and there seems to be a strong link (although correlation is not always causation). I would think about having your hormones checked to make sure they are in normal ranges. After supplementing with progesterone, my symptoms have decreased even more. Also, I use Mary Kay's Timewise facewash and have been using coconut oil (right from the jar) as a moisturizer. It has helped get rid of some of the redness and damage.

Natural treatment for rosacea?

3 Answers