Can Antibiotics make rosacea worst?

April 4, 2002

I was diagnosed with rosacea in Feb. I had such a mild case of

rosacea that my Derm was not certain that I had it(I only had 4 or 5

papules and no redness). I had flawless normal skin. She gave me

samples of metrolotion and a prescription for doxycline 100 mg 1 time

per day to " calm things down " and help with the progression. Six

weeks later when I returned my face was a mess! During the six weeks

my rosacea progessed to the point that I had papules and pustules

everywhere, my cheeks and forehead were red and it began spreading to

my nose! Keep in mind during this six weeks I drastically changed my

diet, I cut out sugar and lowered my carb intake, started to drink a

gallon of water per day, started taking tons of vitamins, grapeseed

extract, wobenzyme, flax seed oil, B complex, A, D & E and acidpolius

(sp) tablets. Cut out my apple martinis, reduced my high intense

workouts to very low ones and purchased 2 books including Dr. Nase's

and plunged into as much information that I could. Prior to being

diagonsed I ate and drank whatever and never had this reaction after

going on meds that was supposed to help " calm things down " and get it

under control!

I'm ten times worst than I was in January and Feb. can someone

explain how this can happen if you are doing everything right? I

asked my derm to put me on biaxin 500mg per day after telling her I

did research on this med. and that the doxy did not help me because

of the low dosage that I was started on. Can someone tell me how to

ween myself off of antibiotics (I've been on them for 8 weeks) w/o

causing my condition to get worse? I don't want to stay on drug

after drug that could result in other problems down the road.

And although I'm having clearance from the biaxin, I don't want to

stay on antibiotics. I feel like I should have done what my friend

did. She too has rosacea refused the drugs and topicals and only

washed her face with plain water (that's all she could tolerate) and

she had a very bad case of rosacea (worst than mine) her face looked

horrible. It took six months but she has had 100% clearance for 8

months now. I'm frustrated and feel like my disorder got worst after

I saught treatment. Marajorie can you help me understand what the

heck is going on and how this progression can happen so rapidly while

on meds that was supposed to help? and do you have any advice how to

get off of the anti's w/o creating more facial chaos!

Thank U-

The former model :-(

April 4, 2002

Maxigee, I don't see how the doxycycline had anything to do with the

exacerbation. I'm impressed your dermatologist could diagnose rosacea

without redness and only 4-5 papules and a history of " flawless

normal skin. " cea is a chronic condition with exacerbations and

remissions that can be managed but never controlled. So if you do

have rosacea, symptoms can unfortunately worsen even with your best

effort and intentions.

But you didn't mention the most important aspect: what you were using

to clean and moisturize your face during those six weeks, or what

you're using now. One obvious explanation for your worsening symptoms

is direct irritation from skin care products or makeup, including

botanicals and other products marketed as for sensitive skin.

One common mechanism for worsening rosacea as antibiotics are

weaned/discontinued: their anti-inflammatory action mask the

irritation caused by skin care products, then when antibiotics are

withdrawn the irritation/inflammation manifests unchecked. So just

because your face improved with antibiotics doesn't necessarily mean

you're using the best products on your face -- which are as few

ingredients as possible, a bare minimum cleanser and a moisturizer

that mimics the protective barrier (either oil or a water-based

moisturizer with simethicone).

Your doctor is the one to prescribe and stop your antibiotics, not

anyone here.

Good luck.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

April 5, 2002

I had an allergic reaction to MetroLotion, and had a red, itchy, swollen rash

all over my face within a few days of starting to use it. I am able to use both

MetroCream and MetroGel, but was allergic to the lotion. This may be your

problem, too.