Natural health: How can I stop my rosacea flare-ups?

Plus: dealing with twinges of sciatic pain

Pic: iStock

I’m in my late 30s and suffer from rosacea. It flares up sometimes, leaving me with an ugly rash. What natural treatments would you suggest?

The exact causes of the inflammatory skin condition rosacea are not clear. However, studies have found it is associated with skin and gut microbiome disturbances.

Focusing on soothing gut healing and anti-inflammatory foods is a good way to support gut health and restore bacterial balance.

Deficiencies in the B vitamin group are common with rosacea, so if you wish to supplement your diet, choose a B-complex supplement containing around 25mg of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6.

Stress plays a significant role in triggering gut imbalance, so while it might seem like an unusual solution, it is crucial to take steps to reduce stressors (physical, mental, and emotional) in your life.

Sunshine is another common trigger, so using a natural sunscreen on your sensitive skin is best. Chemicals in personal care products (particularly hair care, make-up, and body wash), household cleaning agents, and foods can also be triggers for worsening the redness and bumps, so make sure you choose natural and organic alternatives.

If you are under the care of a dermatologist, you can request an examination to test for specific bacteria or parasites on your skin. The results will help create a tailored course of action rather than a trial-and-error approach.

I got sciatica during my second pregnancy, which was agonising. The pain has mostly gone, but now and again, I get a twinge of pain. I do stretching exercises daily, which help. Is there anything else I could do?

Sciatica is an unfortunate side effect that can happen during any pregnancy but is more common in subsequent pregnancies due to a laxity in the pelvic ligaments.

The ovaries produce the hormone relaxin to help loosen the pelvic ligaments in preparation for pregnancy and childbirth. However, this laxity can be linked with spinal instability and misalignment, which can impinge on the sciatic nerve.

The sciatic nerve stretches through the lower back, buttocks, and down into the back of the legs, which is why it causes such trouble when it flares up.

Sciatica is the term used to describe pressure on this nerve, which triggers pain and difficulty with movement, impacting the lower back, buttocks, and legs.

The hormones oestrogen and progesterone also fluctuate throughout pregnancy and post-partum, affecting muscle tone and fluid retention which can lead to sciatica lingering after the birth of your child.

Stretching exercises will help relieve nerve impingement and reduce pain. In addition, consider seeing an acupuncturist, chiropractor, or osteopath. Whichever modality you choose, it’s a good idea to check if the practitioner has experience treating sciatica.

Increasing your dietary potassium intake can help relieve chronic sciatica. Foods naturally rich in potassium include sweet potato, tomato paste and puree, beetroot greens, live cultured yoghurt, most beans and pulses, bananas, oranges, potatoes, prune juice, and carrot juice. Also, keeping well-hydrated is essential for any condition involving nerve health.

If you have severe weakness, lack of sensation in your extremities, and prickling or tingling, you should see a doctor since this can indicate a serious level of compression along the nerve. Loss of control in the bladder or bowel is a sign that you should seek immediate medical help.

• If you have a question for Megan Sheppard, please email it to [e-mail]
• NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.