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Originally diagnosed as infection at urgent care,...
Originally diagnosed as infection at urgent care, prescribed Keflex and Desonide.
Flare 1 lasted 4 months. It was swollen itchy, painful.
Primary thought same and gave me Bactrim.
Dermatologist #1 Metrogel(too harsh), then Sulfacetamide (did nothing)
Dermatologist #2 Prednisone, Doxy, Finacea, Oracea, Eurax, Azithromycin, Ivermectin. The prescribed the Isotretinoin, but while waiting for approval I spontaneously cleared, only to have it come back 4 months later.
Flare 2
Same dermatologist prescribed the newly approved Soolantra. This was not working. Also tried another dose of Ivermectin and some Permethrin which I practically had to beg for after showing him I did have too many Demodex by buying a cheap microscope and checking myself.
On to Dermatologist #3 as I needed one closer.
Used a steroid cream and Prednisone, then started on 10mg/day Of Isotretinoin and upped dose by 10mg every couple of weeks or so to where I am today at 40mg/day. These are my results so far.
No initial breakout since I started so low and went up gradually. Dry lips, skin, eyes and some lower back pain and vaginal dryness(yes it will dry you out here too) are the side effects I have experienced so far. I have been using lip balm, an Aloe with Vitamin E for my face and then a regular body lotion for the rest.
Flare 1 lasted 4 months. It was swollen itchy, painful.
Primary thought same and gave me Bactrim.
Dermatologist #1 Metrogel(too harsh), then Sulfacetamide (did nothing)
Dermatologist #2 Prednisone, Doxy, Finacea, Oracea, Eurax, Azithromycin, Ivermectin. The prescribed the Isotretinoin, but while waiting for approval I spontaneously cleared, only to have it come back 4 months later.
Flare 2
Same dermatologist prescribed the newly approved Soolantra. This was not working. Also tried another dose of Ivermectin and some Permethrin which I practically had to beg for after showing him I did have too many Demodex by buying a cheap microscope and checking myself.
On to Dermatologist #3 as I needed one closer.
Used a steroid cream and Prednisone, then started on 10mg/day Of Isotretinoin and upped dose by 10mg every couple of weeks or so to where I am today at 40mg/day. These are my results so far.
No initial breakout since I started so low and went up gradually. Dry lips, skin, eyes and some lower back pain and vaginal dryness(yes it will dry you out here too) are the side effects I have experienced so far. I have been using lip balm, an Aloe with Vitamin E for my face and then a regular body lotion for the rest.
Better pics
Trying to get better photos, they show up to small for detail.
Still suspect it was Demodex all along.
I figure it cannot be a coincidence that I cleared up within a month after the Ivermectin last time, but I do strongly believe that you need multiple doses because of the short life span(14 days) and all of the eggs left behind from the ones you managed to kill off. Thats like treating lice and leaving the nits. I think it just took them a while to re-populate to cause this 2nd flare, and this time the meds weren't touching them! Derm didn't seem to think this was the case, but the clearing after it was quick and rather dramatic. He never even did a skin scrape. This is why I bought a cheap $25 USB microscope and $5 slides at Amazon. These photos show what I believe to be the culprit. Every pustule and bit of sebum I collected were filled with Demodex!
Since the Isotretinoin drys you out, I think it basically takes away their food supply(your oil) starving them to death as well as taking away that nice moist environment they need to thrive and this is why it may work. Just my own theory, but it makes sense.
I recommend for anyone, especially with pustular rosacea to push for the skin scrape!
Since the Isotretinoin drys you out, I think it basically takes away their food supply(your oil) starving them to death as well as taking away that nice moist environment they need to thrive and this is why it may work. Just my own theory, but it makes sense.
I recommend for anyone, especially with pustular rosacea to push for the skin scrape!