Clarifoam

[lpolinsk]

I am just newly diagnosed with Rosacea. My doctor has prescribed Oracea and Clarifoam (Sulfacetamide and Sulfur). I haven't been able to find much about the Clarifoam. Does anyone have experience with it?

Thanks.

[LoisAnne]

My derm prescribed a sulfacetamine and sulfur wash and a cream called Clenia. It must be similar or the same thing. There was another one named Rosaderm that was also the same main ingredient. I used Clenia until my insurance dropped it from my formulary list. I don't know that it helped a whole lot but eventually, with the use of minocycline, things did clear up considerably so perhaps it played a part Actually I still have a bit of the wash left and do use it a couple of times a week. I don't have flushing, just the p&ps, so maybe it is more helpful with flushed skin. After a year of trying various topicals I was just given a prescription for generic metrogel and it seems to be the best so far. (got it from my regular doctor, not my derm). Good luck, I hope the Clarifoam works for you.

[LoisAnne]

Make that sulfacetamide, not sulfacetamine.

[lpolinsk]

I am battling both Rosacea and Seb Derm, so I hope the "all in one" indication on the bottle is true. I will keep you posted as to how it works.

[Aurelia]

I am battling both Rosacea and Seb Derm ...

That's rough.

... so I hope the "all in one" indication on the bottle is true. I will keep you posted as to how it works.

Yes, please do ... and very best of luck.

Kind regards,

Aurelia

[Nora]

I was dx with seb derm about 2 years ago and until recently managed to keep it under control by using cortizone when I had flare up which were infrequent and generally only lasted a few days. About 4 months ago my face started to get very red, was at times swollen and hot , burned and itched considerably. I went to the derm last week and he confirmed that this is now rosacea. This confused me as I didn't think itching was a symptom of rosacea. However, he gave me a sample of Clarifoam and I used it for about 4 days. It made my skin so dry and chapped it was painful. I tried rinsing it off after application as the website says, but that didn't help. I stopped using it and had to use Aquaphor for a few days to lubricate my skin. So, I guess this is not for me!!. He also gave me a sample of Promiseb and I will try this tonight and post my experience. One of the things my derm did say is that he believes this is caused by stress and he suggested I should try to see what may have precipitated this flare (which has now lasted 4 months) in the way of a stressful situation. I'm unaware of any particular stress in my life but will admit to being a worrier. Would like to hear anyone else's take on this.

[LoisAnne]

Interesting about the stress idea. After my derm had tried several topicals with me and given me antibiotic prescriptions to take he made the suggestion that I make an appointment with a "Mind and Body" clinic in town where they do holistic medicine and look into stress etc. I did not really make the connection and did not follow up on it. (for one reason, insurance does not cover it). I too would not think I had much stress in my life but I suppose in this day and age we all have stress.
And yes, rosacea itches! I was surprised to learn that too.

[Auburn]

Hi Nora,

I posted about my experience with Promiseb here. If you also have dandruff (as most seb derm sufferers do) you will need to treat your scalp (and ears) at the same time you treat your face. The company that makes Promiseb has launched the accompanying shampoo in the UK, which, unfortunately, is not yet available in the US. Promiseb cream is not easy to apply to the scalp (and that little sample tube will only last two weeks if you apply it very thinly on the face -it's supposed to get rid of seb derm symptoms in 14 days but, if it works for you, you'll need to keep applying it a few times a week, for maintenance). You could use Nizoral or Head & Shoulders shampoo on your scalp and ears.

If your skin is very sensitive, especially now that you say it feels very dry, the anti dandruff shampoo will irritate your face (as will hot water while showering) so try to avoid getting any shampoo or hot water on your face.

One of the things my derm did say is that he believes this is caused by stress and he suggested I should try to see what may have precipitated this flare (which has now lasted 4 months) in the way of a stressful situation. I'm unaware of any particular stress in my life but will admit to being a worrier. Would like to hear anyone else's take on this.

How old are you? Fluctuating hormones can cause flares.

[Nora]

It sounds like the Promiseb focuses on seb derm. According to my derm, I have Rosacea and the symptoms do seem to agree with this. I don't have any signs of seb derm in my scalp at all. I am 58 years old, well past menopause, so I doubt this is hormonal at this point. I think I'll still give the Promiseb a try.

[CrabbyCathy]

I can definitively say YES to my rosacea both itching and being initially brought on by stress.