Hazel,
Go ahead and use the topical cromolyn sodium (sodium cromoglycolate)
solution. Side effects are very rare and if it works for you and improves
quality of life the way you described it, no reason to discontinue. This
medication is given to many as a preventative management for asthmatic
attacks as an inhaler spray. Interestingly, it has also been used with
success in infants with unresponsive eczema (atopic dermatitis) on the skin.
The inhaler solution is applied to the involved skin. And no significant
adverse effects have been reported with this use either. The mechanism of
action is this: when a sensitized individual is exposed to a culprit
allergen, the mast cells degranulate and release chemical mediators such as
histamines etc. which trigger symptomatic responses such as itching,
inflammation, wheezing, swelling, hives etc.. Na cromoglycolate prevents
this process thereby inhibiting release of mediators. Some doctors advice
patients to use it for preventative purposes when they expect to be
exposed - say, someone allergic to cats visiting a place with cats. Others
have to use this med daily long-term.
I suspect that you may have an allergic component that triggers your nose to
itch and flush.

Linda Sy M.D.
Linda Sy Skin Care
http://www.lindasy.com
Voice:Toll-free 877-Lindasy (546-3279)
FAX: 925-939-5207
----- Original Message -----
From: "Hazel Roots" <hazroots@...>
To: <rosacea-support@egroups.com>
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2000 9:54 AM
Subject: [rosacea] Question for Dr Nase and/or Dr Sy


>
> ORAL SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE IN THE TREATMENT OF ROSACEA
>
> After developing symptoms of a facial rash that included itching and
flushing in January this year and seeing four dermatologists, all of whom
gave me different diagnoses, I was eventually diagnosed with rosacea and
seborrhoeic dermatitis. I have been prescribed Lymecycline to control the
tiny inflammatory papules that I later developed and Clonodine for the
facial flushing. I could not tolerate Ketoconasole cream so I wash with the
shampoo twice a day. Now the spots and flushing are under control and are
bearable but I still have a symptom which I have had from the beginning and
which, to me, is the most distressing symptom of all, and that is nasal
flushing with itching and swelling. This occurs always after dinner in the
evening and wakes me at 2-3 a.m. and is driving me to distraction. It can
also occur unpredictably and this stops me from having any social life
because one does look a bit ridiculous with a bright red nose and pale
cheeks!
>
> Although I have mentioned it to the dermatologist and my GP no-one has
managed to address it. The GP once gave me Phenergan but this didn't help.
The Ketoconazole shampoo helps to keep the seb derm under control but only
has minimal effect on the nasal inflammation.
>
> A few other people in this group also seem to have the same problem and
one group member suggested using Nasalcrom spray. I tried a 4% sodium
cromoglycate spray and, after months of suffering this excruciating symptom,
I had immediate and dramatic relief in that the itching, redness and
swelling disappeared within 5 minutes and the effects were lasting. I was
able to go out to a restaurant for the first time in months and felt like I
could start living again. However, since then I have been told by another
group member that this spray can damage the lining of the nose and
eventually worsen the condition. Devastating news when you just feel you're
getting your life back on track.
>
> My question is, as this seemed to work so dramatically, would I benefit
from sodium cromoglycate in oral form. I noticed in an e-mail from Dr Nase
to David Pascoe (Message 1963) that Dr Nase said it is important to find the
cause that lies behind our individual rosacea and one of the causes he lists
is "disease due to facial mast cells" which he says can "release potent
substances that can cause microvessels to dilate for prolonged periods". As
sodium cromoglygate is a mast cell stabilizer and seems to work so
dramatically in my case, I wondered if the cause of my rosacea was to do
with some problem with the mast cells? The only reference I can find in
relation to mast cell disease of the skin is that of urticaria pigmentosa
and, in the books I have consulted, flushing is not mentioned as a
component.
>
> I feel that taking the standard prescription for rosacea of antibiotics
and Clonodine is not really getting to the cause and there must be something
I can do that can at least allow me to live my life a bit more comfortably
than at present. I appreciate that you are both very busy but would be
really grateful for some help with this dilemma which does not seem to be my
dilemma only.
>
> Thank you in anticipation of any help you can give.
>
> Hazel
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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