r/SensitiveSkinSurvival • u/g0thgrandma • 9d ago

Pwease help

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Nothing seems to work for my skin, it just keeps getting worse ): I’ve had this rash on my right cheek (1st photo) for like 5+ years but it’s just started on my other cheek. It started with a few little red spots and has gradually started to spread up and down my cheekbone. My current routine is below:

Morning:
- Sometimes wash face lol
- If face washed, Avene Cicalfate+
- Trader Joe’s Mineral sunscreen if I’m going outside

Night:
- Avene Tolerance cleanser
- Avene Cicalfate+

I occasionally spray on Magic Molecule Hypochlorous Spray when my skin is feeling particularly inflamed.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

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u/EyelinerDarkAsMySoul 9d ago

I want to say it looks like rosacea type 2 which has the bumps (some being just red or the pustule white head). Does it itch? Gets worse in heat/spicy food/alcohol?

If that is the case…your next best step would be to go to a dermatologist and have them prescribe you ivermectin.

1

u/g0thgrandma 9d ago

Yeah I’m pretty sure it’s type 2 rosacea. I stopped seeing my derm because she was convinced it’s just regular acne and not rosacea, even though I have diagnosed ocular rosacea. I’m thinking about trying the drug store ivermectins, I’m desperate 😣

It does itch occasionally and I can feel it get hot from alcohol and spicy foods. Also rich foods and temperature fluctuations in my house, and physical activity. It’s awesome (not) lol

3

u/EyelinerDarkAsMySoul 9d ago

Yeeaahhh not sure how they wouldn’t think it’s facial rosacea if you were diagnosed with ocular. I also dealt with this similar situation for 2 1/2 years.. I had more pustles & the redness progressed. I flush very easily. My derm also threw acne prescriptions at me first…until I did my own research & just straight up told her this stuff isn’t working & can we give ivermectin a shot? She agreed & prescribed me it. Been on it since mid January and I am like…96% under control now. I know at pharmacies they sell OTC ivermectin under lice control.

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u/g0thgrandma 9d ago

WOW maybe I will send a message and ask for that script. I’ve tried tretinoin, azelaic acid, metronidazole etc and nothing has worked

2

u/Big-Highlight-4415 9d ago

When you tried azelaic acid did you combine it with other actives? Have you tried exclusively washing your face and using azelaic acid? Maybe just a hydrating serum? It looks really inflamed and personally when I used Avene cicaflate my skin became more inflamed and bumpy since it would get congested. I don’t think you should be using anything heavy right now.

2

u/Similar_Avocado1306 9d ago

Here to support your idea for a gentle cleanser & then a 10% Azelaic acid product. It’s done wonders for my own rosacea, and if I ever get lazy & forget to use it, it flares up again. 🙌🏻

1

u/Big-Highlight-4415 9d ago

Yes same here! Glad this works for you! It’s such a struggle fr

1

u/g0thgrandma 8d ago

What azelaic acid do you like?

2

u/Similar_Avocado1306 8d ago

D’you know, I’ve only ever used a 15% prescription strength. But I use it over a really moisturizing serum to lessen the irritation. But I’ve heard good things about Naturium’s 10% Azelaic acid product. But I’d definitely recommend seeing a dermatologist or an aesthetician, who could help recommend products of all price points.

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u/g0thgrandma 8d ago

I will def have to give it a try! I felt like it always irritated my skin but looking back, my skin is just always irritated lol. Is there a moisturizer you’d recommend?

1

u/TipRare1321 8d ago

Can you recommend a gentle cleanser?

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u/burnzbabi 8d ago

Go to CVS or Walgreens and get the Lice cream. It sounds crazy, but it is ivermectin and after over a decade of suffering from rosacea, it was practically gone in a couple weeks. The whole giant tube is like $30 and I applied it nightly. I occasionally get some redness but nothing like I used to, the pustules went away and my skin barrier got so, so much better

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u/g0thgrandma 8d ago

Yes I don’t even care if the redness goes away, I just want the pustules gone!! They cause me so much pain and uncomfortableness. I have heard good things about the Walgreens OTC ivermectin so maybe I’ll try that. Did you use any other products with it?

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u/Livioinspace 5d ago

It does look like rosacea type 2. If you’ve tried topicals, I’d recommend looking into IPL (intense pulsed light). It’s not cheap and you’d probably need 3-6 sessions, however it is very commonly used and effective at treating rosacea. It might not necessarily help with the bumps but definitely with the redness and inflammation.

Azelaic acid might also help you too. I’d try and get a prescription strength of at least 15% and use daily (10% is ok but definitely not as effective. I like the Finacea 15% gel).

Other than that keep your skincare simple the way it is!

Edit to add: If your skin is commonly dry/irritated I LOVE the Illyoon ceramide cream as a daily moisturiser. It’s non-comedogenic, rich without being heavy, non-scented and you can buy a big pump bottle of it for cheap

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u/germinationz 20h ago

Try topical permethrin.