Q. I am intrigued by the report that washing with an Epsom salt solution (magnesium sulfate) could ease rosacea. I have suffered from this skin condition all my adult life.
I took antibiotics and Accutane, but neither of them cured the problem. Recently I started taking a magnesium supplement for high blood pressure. Lo and behold, it banished the rosacea. My skin is clear and incredibly soft.
A. Rosacea causes redness of the cheeks, nose and forehead. Fine red lines can often be seen just under the skin and some people also experience pimple-like blemishes.
The usual treatment for this condition (also known as Acne Rosacea) includes antibiotics such as doxycycline, minocycline or tetracycline. Doctors may also prescribe topical antimicrobials (metronidazole) or azelaic acid (Finacea).
We could find no studies of magnesium supplements to treat rosacea, though we are glad to hear it works for you. Other readers have taken omega-3 fatty acids with good results, and Italian researchers have reported that supplements with silymarin (from milk thistle) and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) helped ease symptoms (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March, 2008).
