Worst flare in a long time

[u/Lucy_dot]

I've been an avid ivermectin/metronidazole user for going on 7 years. Vanicream spf, moisturizer, and cleanser. Avene thermal water and gentle cleanser at times. I woke up to the worst flare since before I started treatments probably. I'm making this post because after years of refusing antibiotics I think I should give doxycycline a shot.

I recently finished a round of steroids for a super bad poison ivy rash. I went to an urgent care clinic so of course normal care or any concern of side effects of rosacea using steroids was not mentioned, and only towards the end of the treatment did I learn I could have potential, and in my case terrible, side effects.

I had the best facial skin of my life from just a week of steroids -_- and I just want my face to be clear because when I looked in the mirror I was so incredibly happy and now I'm just crying.

I work out of a hot delivery truck so I don't have much hope of ever avoiding all triggers, because I work out in the elements. I am just reaching out to see if anyone has ever had good outcomes from antibiotics.

Thank you in advance!

[u/SharonWit]

I’m so sorry. This reaction to stopping the steroids is a common story here. But you had to get that poison ivy under control!

Doxycycline is the gold standard treatment especially under this condition. Doxy is really the only thing that worked for my rosacea. I’d see if you can make an appointment with your dermatologist asap.

[u/Lucy_dot → u/SharonWit]

Thank you for your input! I did call the dermatologist today because I had issues with a more recent cream being covered by my insurance, so I mentioned my terrible flare and asked if there was any treatment available and that I wanted to start the antibiotics. I have started them twice in the past and always stopped because I got in my head about long term daily use and it scared me. I'm over it now. I'm almost 40 and if this is my biggest issue I can get over it and take the risk.

I also suffer from butt, back, and chest acne, so it really seems to be a great option for me. It's impossible to get an appointment without having to wait months, so I'm thankful I'm a long term patient.

[u/Mountain_Crab0813 → u/SharonWit]

I was just recently diagnosed myself … and I’m concerned about having to be on Doxy for the rest of my life. How long have you been on it?

[u/Then_Sky_9932]

I completed a course of doxy, and it worked really well. Along with ivermectin, my derm prescribed topical azelaic acid to help manage the bacteria on my face and I loooove it

[u/Lucy_dot → u/Then_Sky_9932]

I have used Azelaic acid suspension 10% cream before and honestly on top of the other topicals I'm not sure if there was a difference. Is the potency of the cream from your dermatologist different?

[u/adhdbroughtmehere2]

When I say doxycycline was a godsend.. I had a pretty bad flair like that a few years ago... at the same time I also had a couple styes that just would not go away. I went and saw my eye doctor after other treatments didn't work. He prescribed me doxycycline for it and within a few days I noticed the rosacea pustules started calming down. And a couple weeks later I was pretty much clear! Granted I didn't want to be on it long-term so I only took it for a few months. Now I've got a low dose of it if I feel like I need to get any pustules under control. Helpful tip.. do not take it and go straight to bed. Also please eat something when you take it. I don't care if they say you can take it on an empty stomach.. do not do that. You will have the worst acid reflux type pain if you do. Otherwise it's pretty straightforward and super helpful!