Re: Fw: Accutane treatment for rosacea

[Guest guest]

Hello a,

It is not uncommon for some patients to get worse during the first month of

rx with accutane. This usually gets better as the treatment continues.

Treatment duration generally lasts 4 months with variation in diff patients.

If you continue to get much worse, I suggest you contact your dermatologist

and let him/her know this. Occasionally, a patient may have to be given a

short course (1 week) of oral cortisone to break this severe inflammatory

cystic flare. Accutane does cause patients to have a flushed look but this

gradually fades after discontinuation of rx. One of the uncomfortable side

effects of accutane is dryness and this may also cause your skin to feel

tight, cracked & inflamed. You may wish to use some heavy duty greasing up,

such as vaseline or if you don't like the greasiness, you can apply some oil

on your skin. We carry a Moisturizing Oil for Face & Body which might help

you during this stage of your rx. Or, you can ask your derm for

recommendation. Effective moisturization will remedy the dryness and soothe

the skin. Be sure to wear a moisturizing sunscreen with SPF 30 when out in

the elements as accutane also causes one to be highly photosensitive. We

have a product called Recreational Sunscreen SPF 30 that you might sample.

Accutane does help seborrheic dermatitis, in my experience.

Re reducing your dosage to 20 mg per day, that may be a good option in order

to reduce your side effects - bring this up with your doctor.

The possible effect of stopping your rx early, is that you may not get the

long-term benefit of accutane and may get recurrence. However, there are

occasions when patients are so uncomfortable that I have had them stop the

accutane for a period of time; then resume once they got some relief.

Sy M.D.

Sy Skin Care

http://www.lindasy.com

Voice:Toll-free 877-sy (546-3279)

FAX:

Accutane treatment for rosacea

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>>Dr. Sy (and group)-

>>

>>I was diagnosed with rosacea and seborrhea dermatitis in early 1999

>although

>>I believe I have had rosacea for several years. I am middle-aged and

>going

>>through menopause. Because I also have some seborrhea hyperplasia and

>>milia, my dermatologist prescribed 40 mg accutane. One week after I began

>>taking accutane, I was hiking in New England and the weather turned cold

>and

>>windy. I broke out across my cheeks and chin. The chin was cystic

>nodules,

>>something new. This was by far the worst breakout I have experienced.

In

>>addition to the accutane, I use metrogel on my nose and forehead and

>>noritate on the rest of my face. I have now been on accutane four weeks,

>my

>>skin is no better, and its condition is bone dry and burning although I

>>moisturize constantly.

>>

>>My questions for you are:

>>

>>* If accutane reduces sebum production and shrinks sebaceous glands,

why

>>am I breaking out so badly?

>>

>>* Accutane is supposed to be anti-inflammatory? Why is my face so

>>inflamed?

>>

>>* Is accutane supposed to help seborrhea dermititis? Mine is at the

>>hairline and is very irritated.

>>

>>* Can a dosage of 20 mg. be effective if the 40 mg. is too strong? I

>>have heard that the European method of administering accutane is 20 mg.

>over

>>a longer period of time. Does this work for rosacea?

>>

>>* Is 4 weeks too early to tell the effectiveness of accutane?

>>

>>* Are there adverse effects if you stop treatment early?

>>

>>* Does accutane help milia? I have read it reduces keritinization but

>>continue to get milia.

>>

>>* My skin is so irritated that I am unable to use make-up. Do you have

>>any suggestions?

>>

>>I appreciate any advice and suggestions you can provide.

>>

>>Thank you very much,

>>a

>>

>>

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