My coworker and I were talking last night. Her husband has rosacea and has been on – I might spell this wrong – tetracycline, an antibiotic, for years for his rosacea. It hasn’t cured him, but it keeps his skin clear. He takes two pills a day, one in the morning and one at night. I absolutely loathe the idea of being on an antibiotic for literally the rest of my life, but my coworker explained that it is a very very gentle antibiotic _{(so I don’t have to worry about recurring yeast infections)} and has no side effects at all.

She explained that in the long run I couldwill develop a “bulbous” nose. Not maybe, but will, and that is just a long range effect of having rosacea. She said it is frustrating how many people don’t know what it is, and by that she meant DOCTORS, too! She was very kind and encouraged me to see a doctor and get on it.

So… I don’t want to be on an antibiotic for the rest of time, but I also realize how much this hurts me. It’s irritating, tight and even painful at times. What I thought was acne on my chin isn’t, but actually another aspect of my rosacea. If I was diabetic, I would absolutely NOT hesititate to take care of myself and take whatever medicine I must. If I had depression, I would RUN to the doctor and pursue whatever alternative measures, too. So no more hesitating. It’s off to the doctor for me.

I know that there is a natural treatment called Sea Buckthorn (Or Seabuck Thorn, not sure on the spelling) available at the health food store… but it is currently out of my price range. Maybe once I am on this tetracycline and I can afford it, I can also encourage healthy skin with the seabuck thorn, too.

Wow… the prospect of having good skin is intoxicating! I’ve always been very pretty, and I’m not camera shy, but with rosacea I haven’t had a photo taken since last November. Regardless of my (very high) self esteem, rosacea has certainly taken its toll on my confidence.

I can hardly wait…