Re: can antibiotics mask inflammation from the metros too?

[Guest guest]

> If you're taking oral antibioics and applying a topical treatment

> at the same time, how can you know if the antibiotics are masking

> the irritation and inflammation caused by the topical treatment

> itself (say Metrocream), just as antibiotics can mask inflammation

> caused by skin care products?

-=-=-==

That's a good question. That's where the art of medicine comes into

play. Talk over various plans with your doctor. If you suspect but

aren't certain if your skin is reacting to topical antibiotics, you

might try stopping the cream and see what happens. First make certain

your skin is stable and that you haven't changed anything on your

face for several weeks, so you know any immediate changes are likely

due to changes in topical antibiotics.

If your skin immediately improves, you have the answer! If your face

starts getting worse just restart the cream -- I would think that

unlikely if you're still on oral antibiotics, but it's a possibly to

look out for.

Yes, many physicians use a low dose antibiotic together with a

topical antibiotic for maintenance of rosacea.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD