Forget about the summer heat and sun... at least 30% of all rosacea sufferers sweat profusely without any known trigger. Even more rosacea sufferers sweat during physical exertion, indoor/outdoor heat, sun, circadian rhythm of the body (your body heats up by itself at various times of the day), stress, emotional exertion, mental exertion and of course, spicy foods.

Most times these sweating episodes are accompanied by moderate-to-severe flushing episodes. This is a problem and often makes a person a recluse. You don't need ETS, beta bockers are not going to help, and clonidine is way off the mark. This response is due to a faulty neural wiring of your cholinergic nerves to your facial sweat glands and blood vessels. Upon stimulation, these nerves release a powerful neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine binds onto sweat gland receptors to create sweat and onto blood vessels to cause potent dilation and flushing.

There are extremely effective treatments for this sweating/flushing syndrome that are near-cures for most rosacea sufferers.... but, you must be treated under the guidance of a physician. Very simply, you want to try various anticholinergics -- yep, all the ones tauted for Overactive Bladder Syndrome. These completely block the release and or receptor activation of acetylcholine so the sweat glands remain dry and the blood vessels stay calm. The newer anticholinergics are very specific, can be used for short periods and on special occassions -- which make them a great option for many rosacea sufferers with these symptoms.

The one remaining trigger I have (along with most people) is sweating and flushing to strong Thai food. I think most Americans do as 90% of the people in Thai restuarants that I frequent are flushing and sweating (and the Thai Chefs often peak out for a good laugh ). This is a very strong response for me; however, I can completely block this response for 6 to 8 hours with one anticholinergic pill. Not a single drop of sweat and not one dilated blood vessel... I can completely stump the Thai chefs.... although they've put so much spice in the food sometimes that my stomach grumbles. No side effects for me and only I only use this prophylactic treatment for very special occassions (e.g. spicy food). Others have similar triggers that impede them from enjoying life... talk to your physician about the pros and cons of anticholinergics like the ones listed below. Used wisely, they can get you out of the house again and enjoy your weekends and/or weekdays.


Anticholinergic drugs include:

Detrol LA
Ditropan XL, also available as a patch called Oxytrol and gel called Gelnique.
Enablex
Sanctura
Vesicare
Toviaz

Please get a full physical and disclose any other health conditions or medications/herbs that you are taking to your physician in order to make the most informed and safest decision possible.

Keep us all posted if you go this route. Over the past couple years nearly 3 dozen rosacea consults have gone this route with tremendous success.

Cheers

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Best,
Geoffrey

Dr. Geoffrey Nase
Ph.D: Neuro-Vascular Physiologist

Email: drnase1000@hotmail.com
Bibliography: http://drnase.com

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very interesting.. would you recommend taking these daily or just special occasions?