7 replies to this topic

[alisa]

Hello,

To make a long story short, I used Elocon (mometasone furuoate) on and off from last July to January on both cheeks to control eczema. Added all together, I probably used Elocon a total of 8 weeks or so during that time. Horrible mistake!!! When I decided to finally stop Elocon, I went to a dermatologist in January, who prescribed me desonide for a week and doxycycline 100mg for a month.

Now, it's been about 3 months since I've quitted using Elocon. Now, I either smear Aquaphor on my cheeks (I really recommend this, and no, you don't break out) and use Cetaphil or don't do anything. Everything is relatively better but I still have some symptoms of steroid rosacea. I don't have any pimples or pustules, but my face is still red and oftentimes feels hot. My biggest problem is that the skin still seems to be irritated--millions of very tiny eczema-like bumps/uneveness that I can only see if there's light on my face and I'm standing half a foot away from the mirror.

I know I've improved since January. BUt I'd like to hear your advice on how *long* it took/takes for steroid rosacea to completely improve to the pre-steroid, smooth skin state. Also, how crucial is using sunblock? I feel that every sunblock I try makes my face even redder...

ETA: I only thought about using Elidel/protopic recently, and my derm didn't mention it. I guess it's a little too late for me to start using these medications? Or not?

ETA (Again): I think part of the redness and hot feeling may have to do with the Aquaphor (because it's such a thick ointment). It's non-irritating, but I do think my face gets hotter after I apply it....

[WantToBeFree]

Hello,

To make a long story short, I used Elocon (mometasone furuoate) on and off from last July to January on both cheeks to control eczema. Added all together, I probably used Elocon a total of 8 weeks or so during that time. Horrible mistake!!! When I decided to finally stop Elocon, I went to a dermatologist in January, who prescribed me desonide for a week and doxycycline 100mg for a month.

Now, it's been about 3 months since I've quitted using Elocon. Now, I either smear Aquaphor on my cheeks (I really recommend this, and no, you don't break out) and use Cetaphil or don't do anything. Everything is relatively better but I still have some symptoms of steroid rosacea. I don't have any pimples or pustules, but my face is still red and oftentimes feels hot. My biggest problem is that the skin still seems to be irritated--millions of very tiny eczema-like bumps/uneveness that I can only see if there's light on my face and I'm standing half a foot away from the mirror.

I know I've improved since January. BUt I'd like to hear your advice on how *long* it took/takes for steroid rosacea to completely improve to the pre-steroid, smooth skin state. Also, how crucial is using sunblock? I feel that every sunblock I try makes my face even redder...

ETA: I only thought about using Elidel/protopic recently, and my derm didn't mention it. I guess it's a little too late for me to start using these medications? Or not?

ETA (Again): I think part of the redness and hot feeling may have to do with the Aquaphor (because it's such a thick ointment). It's non-irritating, but I do think my face gets hotter after I apply it....

All that shit is horrible for your face. Stop using it ASAP.

[alisa]

All that shit is horrible for your face. Stop using it ASAP.

Did you actually read my post?! I currently only use Aquaphor and Cetaphil. I'm considering using sunblock and would like recommendations.

I know that there are others here who have had steroid rosacea, and I would really appreciate your comments and support.

[Wynne]

Keep using the Aquaphor, as you're doing. I can't recommend any good sunblocks as I've not found a terrific one for me, yet, either.

I'm glad your skin improved! It will continue to improve but it will take time, remember how long it took to get to its state in January, then realize that it will likely take even longer to heal up. It is possible that you may not return completely to your pre-steroid rosacea state as sometimes (just sometimes) the damage is permanent, but you're lucky in that it was essentially a short(ish) time that you used the steroid so you do have a chance of completely recovering.

[alisa]

Keep using the Aquaphor, as you're doing. I can't recommend any good sunblocks as I've not found a terrific one for me, yet, either.

I'm glad your skin improved! It will continue to improve but it will take time, remember how long it took to get to its state in January, then realize that it will likely take even longer to heal up. It is possible that you may not return completely to your pre-steroid rosacea state as sometimes (just sometimes) the damage is permanent, but you're lucky in that it was essentially a short(ish) time that you used the steroid so you do have a chance of completely recovering.

Thanks for the comments!

For anyone else suffering from steroid rosacea, I personally think Clindagel is amazing! 2 days after applying it in the morning, I could already see a difference in the tone and redness of my skin. I find it totally non-irritating, and I've put it on for 5 days so far without any side effect and continued skin improvement. And it makes sense--clindagel (ie, clindamycin), as an antibiotic, has anti inflammatory properties.

I also recently discovered a good sunscreen (for me, at least): Neutrogena dry-touch 30 spf. Absolutely non-greasy and non-irritating.

Obviously, this is all my experience, and maybe these products won't work for you.

My regime:
Morning: Wash with water, CLindagel, wait 10 minutes, Neutrogena dry touch sunscreen
Afternoon: application of aquaphor if necessary on cheeks if skin is too dry (and if I'm at home)
Evening: Wash with cetaphil, apply differin to forehead (to prevent clogged pores), apply aquaphor on cheeks
Zero pimples or pustules, maybe 1-2 clogged pores

My skin has improved immensely since the last time I posted (a lot less sandpaper-bumpy like), though slight redness and dryness continue to be a problem.

[Alberto1]

Keep using the Aquaphor, as you're doing. I can't recommend any good sunblocks as I've not found a terrific one for me, yet, either.

I'm glad your skin improved! It will continue to improve but it will take time, remember how long it took to get to its state in January, then realize that it will likely take even longer to heal up. It is possible that you may not return completely to your pre-steroid rosacea state as sometimes (just sometimes) the damage is permanent, but you're lucky in that it was essentially a short(ish) time that you used the steroid so you do have a chance of completely recovering.

Thanks for the comments!

For anyone else suffering from steroid rosacea, I personally think Clindagel is amazing! 2 days after applying it in the morning, I could already see a difference in the tone and redness of my skin. I find it totally non-irritating, and I've put it on for 5 days so far without any side effect and continued skin improvement. And it makes sense--clindagel (ie, clindamycin), as an antibiotic, has anti inflammatory properties.

I also recently discovered a good sunscreen (for me, at least): Neutrogena dry-touch 30 spf. Absolutely non-greasy and non-irritating.

Obviously, this is all my experience, and maybe these products won't work for you.

My regime:
Morning: Wash with water, CLindagel, wait 10 minutes, Neutrogena dry touch sunscreen
Afternoon: application of aquaphor if necessary on cheeks if skin is too dry (and if I'm at home)
Evening: Wash with cetaphil, apply differin to forehead (to prevent clogged pores), apply aquaphor on cheeks
Zero pimples or pustules, maybe 1-2 clogged pores

My skin has improved immensely since the last time I posted (a lot less sandpaper-bumpy like), though slight redness and dryness continue to be a problem.

where can i get clindagel?

[alisa]

Keep using the Aquaphor, as you're doing. I can't recommend any good sunblocks as I've not found a terrific one for me, yet, either.

I'm glad your skin improved! It will continue to improve but it will take time, remember how long it took to get to its state in January, then realize that it will likely take even longer to heal up. It is possible that you may not return completely to your pre-steroid rosacea state as sometimes (just sometimes) the damage is permanent, but you're lucky in that it was essentially a short(ish) time that you used the steroid so you do have a chance of completely recovering.

Thanks for the comments!

For anyone else suffering from steroid rosacea, I personally think Clindagel is amazing! 2 days after applying it in the morning, I could already see a difference in the tone and redness of my skin. I find it totally non-irritating, and I've put it on for 5 days so far without any side effect and continued skin improvement. And it makes sense--clindagel (ie, clindamycin), as an antibiotic, has anti inflammatory properties.

I also recently discovered a good sunscreen (for me, at least): Neutrogena dry-touch 30 spf. Absolutely non-greasy and non-irritating.

Obviously, this is all my experience, and maybe these products won't work for you.

My regime:
Morning: Wash with water, CLindagel, wait 10 minutes, Neutrogena dry touch sunscreen
Afternoon: application of aquaphor if necessary on cheeks if skin is too dry (and if I'm at home)
Evening: Wash with cetaphil, apply differin to forehead (to prevent clogged pores), apply aquaphor on cheeks
Zero pimples or pustules, maybe 1-2 clogged pores

My skin has improved immensely since the last time I posted (a lot less sandpaper-bumpy like), though slight redness and dryness continue to be a problem.

where can i get clindagel?

Hi, it's a prescription medication for acne and sometimes used off-label for rosacea.

[Wynne]

I'm glad to read that the Clindagel is helping! It sounds like you are going to make a good recovery. Please remember to use steroids only for a short time, and infrequently, and only a tiny amount (if you ever do again, that is!)