How Botox and Allergy Avoidance Could Relieve Rosacea or Migraines

As far as modern medicine has come, there are still certain conditions that continue to puzzle us. Experts may not always know what causes or exacerbates these conditions, which can be incredibly frustrating to those who have been diagnosed with them. Two such conditions are migraine headaches and rosacea. They are certainly quite different in their scope, as one causes debilitating pain and affects roughly 38 million Americans while the other is characterized by facial redness and impacts approximately 14 million people in the United States. But they do share a certain amount of mystery. They also may be treated through the same unconventional means — and could be triggered by some of the same things.

According to the Mayo Clinic, experts aren’t exactly sure what causes rosacea, though it’s likely that genetics and environment could both play a part. There are also certain triggers that can increase blood flow to the skin (and therefore make rosacea more pronounced), such as alcohol, spicy foods, extreme weather, medications, and exercise. Interestingly, some of those triggers are shared by individuals who experience migraine headaches, which can include alcohol, certain foods, weather changes, oral medications, and physical exertion. Just like with rosacea, migraines are thought to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors — and women are more likely to develop these conditions than men are.

Despite the fact that these conditions are often treated very differently — rosacea with oral medications, laser therapy, or sensitive skin care routines and migraines with pain relievers, preventative therapy, or rest — there are some intriguing overlaps. Both have connections with the body’s blood vessels, as some migraine medications purposefully constrict blood vessels to block the brain’s pain pathways and most rosacea triggers involve factors that dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow to the face. And in recent years, both conditions have been successfully treated with Botox injections like this Botox in Rawley, MA or Botox treatment in Cape May Court House, NJ.

One recent analysis of studies that involved the effects of Botox on migraines revealed that after three months of this type of therapy, patient quality of life increased while migraine frequency decreased significantly. Although Botox results typically last anywhere from three to six months in patients who opt for this procedure for cosmetic reasons, those who receive these injections to alleviate headache symptoms typically receive them more often. Experts believe that the injections block nerve signals that communicate pain to the brain. Two other recent studies found that botox treatment like Botox in West Des Moines, IA may work for patients with rosacea as well, though researchers aren’t sure whether it’s because botox fillers stop blood vessels from dilating or because it blocks immune cells from becoming inflamed. In either case, patients did experience a reduction in facial redness in less than two weeks after the procedures were performed, and the results lasted for up to four months afterwards. Interested patients can also try treatments such as this skin therapy in Hendersonville, TN or IPL treatment in Baton Rouge, LA for lasting results.

What’s more, there may actually be a seasonal allergy connection that migraines and rosacea share. Migraine sufferers are often misdiagnosed with sinus problems and severe seasonal allergies, and because the condition is often worsened due to changing weather patterns, it makes sense as to why one might be confused for the other. Researchers also believe that because migraine sufferers tend to have more sensitive nervous systems, they’re more likely to react quickly (or even overreact) to environmental changes. If you’re exposed to a seasonal allergy, you might experience body inflammation and actually cause a migraine. Understandably, you might get more migraines during the times of year when outdoor allergies are at their peak. However, experts are still exploring the link between the two.

Those with rosacea may do well to take steps to avoid seasonal allergies, too. Airborne allergies can cause inflammation for rosacea sufferers as well, which can make their condition worse. An older survey found that 32% of rosacea patients experienced flare-ups due to allergic reactions, while a 2015 study found that rosacea patients were more likely to have airborne allergies than people who did not have rosacea. Since 83% of all travelers say they’d choose an allergy friendly room if given the option, it makes sense that rosacea patients would want to do everything possible to avoid these seasonal triggers.

Ultimately, there’s no cure for either condition; symptom management and preventative measures are usually all patients can do to keep their diagnosis at a manageable level. But the more you know about potential triggers and treatments, the better your quality of life will be.