From: gnas_@_.edu
Date: Fri Mar 19, 1999 3:44 am
Subject: [rosacea] Re: Antihistimines/Hay Fever
Hi Jennifer,
You were on my list -- just bumped you up. I am not getting married until next
May -- I will be at various national and international vascular meetings (this
is our busy time of year.
Below are just some thoughts:
1. I don't know if there is any difference between the three brands (at least
concerning rosacea). I don't imagine that there exists much difference. If you
have had success, I would probably not change at this time.
2. Sometimes those cort sprays do cause a reaction. But other times, short
duration treatment with them are extremely beneficial. No one can tell until he
or she tries it.
3. Im glad you asked about Nasalcrom ----- Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have stumbled onto something here. Let me explain. We are now learning that
part of the problem with rosacea skin and vessels may be due to altered function
and reactivity of mast cells. Mast cells are located in facial skin and are in
close proximity to blood vessels. Mast cells are also in great abundance in the
nasal passages. When activated, these mast cells open up (degranulation) and
release substances that cause the nearby vessels to open up (increased blood
flow) and leak (swelling). Mast cells release histamine, cytokines,
prostaglandins and inflammatory enzymes that can cause intense bouts of
inflammation. It has been speculated that these mast cells are hyperactive or
hypersensitive to stimuli such that they release these inflammatory substances
quite often and in great concentration. These mast cells have been shown to
release these substances in response to:
1. Heat
2. Sun
3. Friction across facial skin
4. Increased nerve activity
5. Immune response
6. General irritation
7. Spontaneously
The reason why antihistamines sometimes help alleviate the redness, flushing,
burning and itching associated with rosacea is because it blocks the actions of
mast cell released histamine on blood vessels. But, if you remember from the
list above, mast cells release many other potent inflammatory substances.
So the goal should be to stop the mast cell from releasing any of its contents.
This can be done by stabilizing the cell membrane of mast cells -- with certain
drugs. The active ingredient in nasalcrom (cromolyn sodium) is one such drug --
but it takes some time to stabilize the membrane of mast cells within your nasal
cavity (so be patient). So yes, I highly recommend it.
Some other interesting news:
1. Some of the allergy/immunology specialists that I gathered information from
said that after treating a handful of patients for allergies (with oral
medication that stabilizes mast cell membrane throughout the body), some of
their patients who also had rosacea noticed an improvement in their redness and
flushing by up to 70-90%. After they stopped the treatment however, the
symptoms reappeared.
2. Some physicians are now using topical cromolyn sodium (in a hydrophilic
base) to treat severe inflammatory skin conditions. Drs. Moore and Sorensen
from LSU Medical Center are reporting good to excellent success with this
treatment lotion. It is exciting to speculate that this may be a potential
weapon against rosacea in the near future -- I am in contact with these
physicians and will relay any more news.
Science is amazing isn't it -- its just a matter of time!!!!!!
Hope this helps,
Geoffrey
========
Dr. Geoffrey Nase
<85256738.007a58e7.0-@_.gov> wrote:
Original Article: http://www.egroups.com/list/rosacea-support/?start=2514
Dear Dr. Nase,
Yikes! I didn't realize you were going to be out of town for 3 months. If
it's wedding-related, I hope you have a smashing good time!!
I know you're very busy, so I would not normally repeat questions, but
usually you are so good at responding to people that I wonder if my
questions about antihistimines and hay fever treatment got overlooked. I
completely understand if you don't have time to answer everyone -- I
appreciate everything that you are doing. It would be helpful if you had
easy answers to these questions, but I understand if you don't.
1. Zyrtec and Claritin have apparently helped a lot of people with
rosacea. I have been taking Allegra for hay fever for several years
(before that I was on Seldane) and I was wondering if Allegra is as
effective with rosacea as the other two antihistimines are. Allegra does
work with my hay fever, and doesn't cause side effects, so I don't want to
switch unless it will do a better job with rosacea.
2. Some time back several people in the group mentioned that Nasacort, a
nasal spray, had caused their rosacea to flare terribly. I have used
Nasacort for several years (hay fever season only) with no problems, but
was wondering if this is something I should stay away from.
3. I have been hearing a lot lately about a nasal spray called Nasalcrom
(active ingredient: cromolyn sodium), which is apparently the only thing
that can actually prevent, rather than merely suppress, hay fever symptoms.
Do you know anything about the effect of Nasalcrom on rosacea?
Thanks again (and again and again)!
Jennifer
P.S. Thanks also to those people who responded with their own experiences!