Metronidazole (most commonly prescribed as Metrogel 1%) is a prescription drug that is available in several formulations. As an oral treatment metronidazole is known as flagyl. Topical metronidazole is available as noritate, metrogel, rozex, metrogel 1%, metrolotion and metrocream.
What is metronidazole ? well scientifically it is a white to pale yellow crystalline powder. Metronidazole is a member of the imidazole class of anti-bacterial agents and is classified as an antiprotozoal and anti-bacterial agent.
When taken orally, metronidazole is known as flagyl. Flagyl is used for a wide variety of infections including those in the adbomen, bones, joints, nervous system, respiratory tract, skin, as well as vaginal and intestinal infections.
A bit of history
Curatek Pharmaceuticals developed and submitted the New Drug Application for Metrogel in 1988. Since its introduction by Curatek, MetroGel has become the most widely prescribed therapy in the United States for rosacea. In 1993 Curatek Pharmaceuticals sold metrogel to Galderma Laboratories. Galderma has since introduced other variants of Metrogel, namely MetroLotion and MetroCream. Galderma is also an interesting company for rosacea sufferers because they have purchased Collagenex, who are developing a product we know as sansrosa.
Curatek, continued to market MetroGel-Vaginal (metronidazole vaginal gel, 0.75 percent) for bacterial vaginosis. MetroGel-Vaginal was introduced in the U.S. in 1992.
How does metrogel work ? well amazingly after all these products have been marketed and many studies done, the mechanisms by which metronidazole acts in reducing the inflammatory lesions of rosacea are in the main unknown.
Dermik markets a 1%, once a day formulation of metronidzole called Noritate.
Metrogel was responsible for generating sales of about $75 million in 2004.
The patent on the branded product by Galderma expired on June 6, 2006. Fougera is poised to make generic metrogel available, having had tentative approval to produce a generic metrogel.
In July of 2005 Galderma announced that 1 percent metrogel had gained FDA approval. The vehicle is a water-based formulation and contains no alcohol. The formulation was `enhanced with HSA-3′. HSA-3 is described as a combination of ingredients including betadex, niacinamide (vitamin B3), and propylene glycol.”
Metrogel Ingredients
METROGEL (metronidazole gel), 1% is an aqueous gel; each gram contains 10 mg of metronidazole in a base of betadex, edetate disodium, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylparaben, niacinamide, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol,propylparaben and purified water.
So Why all the Metro-products ?
Despite quite a lot of activity in the marketing and development of the metronidazole treatments (lotion, cream, gel, generic equivalents, nortitate 1%, metrogel 1%, once per day, twice per day etc) this particular research paper Metronidazole in the treatment of rosacea: do formulation, dosing, and concentration matter? suggests that the different formulations and treatment frequency make little difference to the treatment outcome.
Thus if you are already using one formulation of metronidazole, changing to another gel/cream vehicle doesn’t appear to be able to offer any additional benefits.
Does Metrogel help with the Redness?
Officially, Metrogel is only indicated for the papules and pustules of rosacea – this is what it was tested against. Some users of Metrogel do find a reduction in redness as a result of the anti-inflammatory actions of metronidazole, but you should probably consider this a bonus rather than a given.
Interesting Research
Some of the more interesting published papers on rosacea and metrogel, and other metronidazole treatments include ;
Topical Metronidazole Maintains Remissions of Rosacea
Topical metronidazole therapy for rosacea.
The efficacy of topical metronidazole in the treatment of ocular rosacea.
Metrogel Coupon
Galderma offers a Savings Coupon for Metrogel that offers 1% Co-pay Card, allowing you to pay no more than $20 when refilling your prescription. If you have insurance, that is. This current coupon offer expires at the end of 2011.
Featured Products
Related Articles:
- Galderma: 1 percent metrogel prescribing information
- So just How Does Metrogel Work ?
- 1 Percent Metrogel from Galderma
- Generic Metrogel soon Fougera
- Metrogel less irritating than Finacea
- Periostat and metrogel better than Metrogel alone
- Rosac Cream vs. Metrocream
- Galderma wants to own the Rosacea Market
153 Comments over 4 pages ↓
I am 45 and have been diagnosed with Rosacea since I was in my mid -thirties. I have extremely oily and sensitive skin, with breakouts on my chest, back and occasional my face.
Acne and Rosacea flare ups always seem worse before my period. Everything is fine for couple of weeks with minimum effort on my part ( cleansing /moisturizing) and the whole cycle starts again. Redness, itchiness, irritation ,breakouts.
I am currently on ACCUTANE( CLARAVIS) 3 times a day ( 20mg). I started 10/08 and are planning on a 5-6 mo. treatment. I was given Metrogel 1% as well. It really dries out my skin and seems to irritate my face more when I use it. My acne has improved, however not the redness/irritation on my face. Some days are better than others. I have had the same experience with using Clotrimazole&Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream, originally prescribed to me for skin irritation on my body, as Shantal with Lodriderm. I used it on my face and it looked great with no irritation but as soon as I stop using it, I have had the same problems.
Sweating from exercising also seems to make redness worse. I would definitely recommend ACCUTANE for acne, not sure if it helps with the redness and irritation /itchines from Rosacea.
I use Estee Lauder Double Wear Make up mixed with my moisturizer since my skin is dry from using ACCUTANE. Sometimes I can tolerate it just fine other times not as well.
Cleansing, toning ( optional) , eye creme, gel/syrum, moisturizer and lastly foundation followed by a light dusting of powder.
I’m very confused. When I picked up the my prescription I wasnt informed very well as far as how to use it. I have the basics but if someone could help me that would be great.
So I’ve read a little of the passages about how to apply metronidazole. But to confirm.
I wash my face, then towel dry. Then apply metronidazole to the affected area, then its okay to apply make-up afterwards??
And if I do apply make-up afterwards, this mean I don’t wash the metronidazole off my face and this is for an all day wear?
Please explain
thanks,
I was diagnosed with rosacea about 8 months ago, I am 26. I suffer from p&p on both cheeks and redness. (I also have a very small patch at the edge of my cheek by my ear that reoccurs – hope that helps Chris McCormick, an earlier post).
I use metronidazole cream which controls the pustules but I still have a slight redness which gets worse with the usual triggers, alcohol, hot baths etc. I also have a cows milk intolerance which is my worse trigger.
My skin is extremely sensitive and I can only use aqueous cream with the metronidazole. For those of you who suffer from dry skin as well as extremely sensitive skin, I have found that using a pure facial oils like vitamin E with absolutely no additives really helps with the dryness but no aggravation. And I definitely find that drinking lots of water helps with the overall condition of my skin, it seems less angry when it is well hydrated.
For kristin, on how to use your metronidazole cream, apply to a clean, dry face on affected area then put on make-up etc as normal. If you find the cream a little strong, you can put your regular moisturizer on first before applying the metronidazole cream, to act as a kind of gentle barrier. Don’t expect miracles overnight, it can take months to see results. I really recommend identifying your own personal triggers to help you control the rosacea. Everybody seems to have slightly different triggers!
Hi,
I was just prescribed Metrogel 1% for my rosacea. My dermatologist’s prescription tells me to apply it twice a day, but the information that came with the product says to apply it once a day. A little confused! I have been applying it once a day for a week and a half with no change in my skin. What do other Metrogel 1% users do? Apply once or twice?
Thanks!
Hi Lee,
Metrogel 0.75% was officially tested to be used twice a day, and Metrogel 1% tested to be used once a day. Noritate which also contains metronidazole 1% is listed to be used once a day. If your dermatologist is happy for you to use it twice per day then that is probably ok. Metrogel doesn’t have long term dangers like say steroids, but it may cause irritation for some users. So go easy and keep an eye out for any adverse reactions.
davidp.
Does anyone know why it takes so long for Metrogel 1% to work? I have heard anywhere from 3 weeks to 9 weeks. What is happening to the epidermis that it takes so long to go away, if it even does? Mine was prescribed alone, once a day, at night. Thanks
Hi Jenny,
Rosacea is an inflammatory disease and metronidazole is thought to interrupt the inflammatory pathway. A one sentence summary is “metronidazole breaks down into a substance that kills the DNA of the cells of some particular bacteria and protozoa”.
I explore this idea further here: so just how does metrogel work ?.
It isn’t a simple process and it takes some time for any changes to be noticed.
davidp.
I am 68 and have never used any make -up except for lipstick. I have had rosacea for over 25 years. I have used Metronidazole o.75%, 45gm for the past 10 years. I apply it very sparingly on my face at bedtime. Otherwise all I do is keep my face clean with gentle face soap such as Olay several times a day. I still do not use make up.
The comment I hear over and over again is what beautiful skin I have. I might add that I have never smoked or used products with caffeine. I am careful about overexposure to the sun. All of these I am sure have contributed to my good skin.
Even aggressive treatment for advanced uterine cancer did not seem to affect my skin, for which I am very thankful.
Hello everyone,
I found this site by chance! and it was a great chance reading you all. Feels good
I will be 40 in september.
I’m not married, no children (maybe this could be a factor?).
In my 20s i encountered red flash-ups on my face and started appearing after my excessive sun-exposure. I had to treat with Avene anti-rougeur cream on my cheeks for several months, it used to decrease the intensity!
Years went by, and i rarely felt anything..
4 months ago i went through internal nose surgery: cloison nasale (could this be another factor?).
1 month ago:
I’ve gone through an intense emotional stress because i am living a longdistance passionate relationship but cannot meet my partner often!
I was during this period drinking around 5 cups of tea/day.
I am having irregularity in my periods (sometimes intense sometimes less).
And i suddenly changed the ambiant temperature of my place, increased the heating which i wasnt used to much in my indoor temp!
My face had reacted suddenly one morning when waking up! a concentrated redness and red bumps with little yellow heads. I was shocked!
my MD prescribed antibiotics 10mg + Topical solution Dalacin. i got better, but one week after end of antibiotics, i noticed my cheeks reacting to (emotional stress or even bad thoughts, chocolate, heat or dressed too warm).
My pharmacist told me to start Rosex Gel 0.75%.
I havent taken any step forward yet but i need to!
Would love to hear from you. Can you advise?
I strongly suggest you take a look at the Newbies section
under “community”. Many of us have taken the time to address our “new” condition and have shared our successes and our challenges. Personally, for me, it isn’t usually “one thing” that we have done, nor is it “one thing” that we can do to correct it. I also think that although Metrogel is working great on me, I also realize it’s my system that is not working right, and it is my system I want to get right. Cleansing my system with a juice fast, and paying attention to an “anti-inflamation” diet, per Dr. Perricone, has done wonders. Finding your triggers through an elimination diet, is nothing short of brilliant. Taking responsibility for your diet, your stress, your exercise program, etc is what it is about. Mind, body, soul! Eating a diet rich in living foods, staying away from sugar and starches, etc will all yield wonderful results. good luck!!!!!!!!!!!! (Cetaphil cleanser is GREAT too!)
I read that METROGEL (METRODINAZOLE ) 0,75 percent treat MEIBOMITIS ( posterior blefaritis) .
Can i have more information ?
Officially metrogel is not approved for ophthalmic use, but I believe that you can get formulation of metronidazole to use for the eye. I would definitely seek the advice of an opthamologist before using metronidazole for any eye symptoms.
I’ll keep an eye out (sorry) for any good information about using specific formulations of metronidazole for opthalmic conditions. Anyone have any good information they can share with us ?
davidp.
Thanks much Cara, i think you’re absolutely right about taking care of other factors like diet, stress, exercice etc. I especially think it’s a must for all of us to keep laughing as much as we can, i know this has a huge benefit on all our system!!
I am on Rozex Gel now from one week, and my rosacea is getting progressively better, but slowly..
I didn’t go to a dermatologist, but i had it from the pharmacy!
For how long you think i can still use Rozex on my cheeks?
Have a nice day!!!
Since I am not too familiar with Rozex I cannot answer that. Laughter is HUGE!! and juicing green juices is too!!
I went on a three day green juice fast and every bump on my face went away!!!!!!! I ate raw sprouts and raw veggies for a week and I was looking brand new. The minute I put sugar in my system the bumps (p’s & p’s)
came back. maybe some day i can have a little of the no no’s but i am not all that interested in getting back to the old way i ate. Plus I lost 8 pounds getting off the starches, sugar, and alcohol, and my old jeans pull right off over my hips. Best of luck, Tatiana!!! Cara
hehe thank you my friend…i will try the green juice a bit instead of orange juice each morning!!!
Keep LAUGHING you’all!!!
looking over your original post i see that you were drinking a lot of tea. i imagine that would be black tea, but even if it were not, it’s the heat of the tea probably giving you a reaction. and the diuretic effect of the tea dehydrating you. the same happened to me but i was doing healing herbs, 4 cups a day, but had a bad flare up. after my juice fast now i can have a cup of tea (i stopped the caffeinated tea, why not, after everything else i purged myself of !) now drink red roibus (sp?) from a south african plant, a very rich in anti oxidants and tasty tea. I put coconut milk in it and stevia. no more sugar or honey or agave like i use to.
also stay well hydrated. a good rule of thumb is half your body weight of water daily in ounces.
btw, blended greens, spinich and such with berries (green for life is the name of the book, botenko, i believe is the author) is a great way to get your green juice without it being tooo much to transitions too quickly into. you know, in a blender, instead of a juicer.
happy to be of service. i promised i would help others if i got relief!! cara
Hi.
I’m 28 years of age and have suffered from moderate rosacea on my nose for serveral years. I currently use a regimen which consists of:
Cetaphil non irritating cleanser
Finacea gel (azelaic acid)
Clinique daily relief cream
Moisturiser with SPF15
The above routine keeps the pustules & pupules under control however the redness is pretty much persistent and I also have a tendency to flush in reaction to food, anxiety, stress etc.
My dermatogolist has prescribed rosex, however I’m reluctant to try it because:
a) I have hyper sensitive skin (is rosex particularly harsh?)
b) I have read that Rosex is primarily for treating p&p as opposed to redness?
Can you advise if metronidazole is worth trying? Alternatively Id appreciate any advice on a superior treatment for the persistent redness, flushing which is making my my self esteem wither.
Many thanks
In response to red roy,
I also have hyper sensitive skin (my own sweat irritates my face) but find I can use metronidazole cream on my rosacea areas. There is the odd occasion where it can sting but that is usually if my skin is particularly irritated. You may find it doesn’t agree with the other creams you use so my advice would be trial and error. If your skin does get irritated, maybe leave it for a few days the try again.
I also find metronidazole does control the redness as well as the pustules. However, everyone is different but I would recommend giving it a try. Without it, my rosacea flares up very quickly- redness and pustules, but when I use it twice a day and avoid my triggers, you wouldn’t know I had it.
To help with the redness more, I have found that using a sunblock called Badger (all natural ingredients- no chemicals) before I go to bed really calms down any redness that seems to develop throughout the day. It contains zinc oxide which is not only really good for the skin but has a whitening effect. At first you’ll look like a ghost but through the night this wears off and just leaves non-red skin! May sound bizarre, but if it works, who cares! You could also try just putting the Badger sunblock on your nose and other affected ares throughout the day to help counter-act the redness, I just wouldn’t wear it everywhere as it can make you look very pale!
Good luck
Victoria, thanks a mill for the advice. Based on your positive experience I will give metronidazole a trial period and see how I go.
I will also have a look for that ‘Badger’ sunblock as it sounds most beneficial. Hopefully it can be obtained online as I doubt its available in Ireland.
Red Roy, Badger Sunblock can be obtained online, I bought mine from a website called beauty naturals but if you google it there are lots of places that sell it so shop around. Good luck with the metronidazole!
Hi Everyone. Has anyone ever used Zithromax for their skin problems? I used it for a severe sinus infection and it cleared my acne and reduced the redness from the rosacea. Everyone kept telling me how great my skin looked. I asked my dr. if it was possible to continue on the z-pack and she said it is prescribed for rosacea and acne on a pulsed regimen. I have never found anything that worked like this before. Any ideas? I also just started the metrogel this week.
Jills Journey.(42 yrs old).. i moved april 2007, beautiful skin until sept 2007 I got a red flat rash on face and blephtis (sp). Dr. gave me script for presidone, said it was contact allergy and eye doctor gave me eye drops. Dr also gave me 2.5% hydrocortisone for face.everything cleared up… Then it came back and stayed. went on predisone again. she said Nope ,it not allergy,its ezcema but no bumpy rash.presidone nasty medicine. i did feel like a superhero -makes you feel great but i had insomnia and gained weight, also put little blond hairs on my face so now i resemble a catcus.lol. tested for lupus TWICE, negative. went to allergist, test neg for everything, Got the patch testing on back (worse week ever.no shower) nothing really came up there.many days i would wake up swollen eyes and after showering in am, washing face,putting moisturizer on my face would burn and be beet red all day!( i have pictures in case it was clearing by the time i went to dermy) back for more presidsone. it wasnt a typical rash, it was a flat burn It burned on my cheeks and felt chapped. went to ANOTHER dermy.said i had rosacea. gave me sulfur medicine. did not like it. irritated it and smelled horrible. threw all my products away. used nothing.still red. got a humifier, got a air cleaner (still thinking allergy)had my water tested by the water dept. All clear there.Got blephitis again.Back to eye doctor. All the first dermy would do is to continue to give me hydrocortisone which is BAD for face. I stopped going out. i became obsessed with looking in mirror to see if there was any teeny weeny improvement from this pain burned face.I couldnt stop.day to day things like even eating were a chore since my face hurt so much. I bought rocacea care products online,This week i went and had IPL laser. not sure if it was the right idea. my face is still beet red and swollen up to my eyes that are now slits. I did get obaji rosacea care which is cleanser, metrogel .75%, moisturizer but i dont think its strong/thick enough since my face is very dry. and i puchased clinque sunscreen for rosacea.I have never used sunscreen.my bad. not sure of the order to put all this stuff on.If my face gets to normal size, i will try these products to see if they work or its BACK to the dermy who really doesnt know and throws things out there. I am afraid to take antibiotic cause i would not want to get pregnant my age but that still has not been offered to me.and accutane is prob not an option, i have high cholesterol and slight osteo from the depo shot.ugh more issues….. i think all the steriods i took over this year has given my steriod induced rosacea.Never have i had senstive skin before. i could do microderabrasions with the best of them,used any product., nothing bothered me till sept 2007 and its been a daily nightmare ever since. Triggers? no clue except the major stress/aniexty i have over this. i dont really drink or eat spicy foods, do have a small coffee twice a week. I can feel the burn crawling across my face anywhere, anytime.there is no pattern. very depressing since this basically has “taken over my life”
I would like to have a facial done and I am worried the possible side effects would be or concerns I need to be aware of?
I am currently using Metrogel and Oracea.
Are there any concerns.
thank you
Just started Metrogel and an oral antibiotic for Rosacea. I mainly have mild redness and the monthly breakouts. Since i started the Metrogel (6 days ago) I am getting these zit like things on my lower cheeks and forehead like crazy! Is this like a skin purge caused by the metrogel that will go away eventually or just a bad reaction to it?
Hi Maren,
Did you figure anything out? I also just started metrogel and had a similar question–if you seem to have a reaction to it, how long should you wait (if at all) to see if you’ll adapt to it before concluding it doesn’t agree with you?
I used the cream (twice daily, .75) for 2 months (I was diagnosed 2 months ago). I asked to try the gel because I’m on the oily side and the cream felt heavy/greasy. Dr. prescribed the 1% (brand name), once daily metrogel. Tonight was my 2nd night using it. The papules are seeming improved, but I’m having a return of stinging and some redness which I hadn’t had in a couple of months.
Thanks, Sarah
A follow up–looks like I’m adapting to the metrogel. Only the third day and my skin is less irritated and looking pretty clear. I think it’s working pretty well. It must have been a temporary adjustment flare-up.
I do find, surprisingly, that I ideally need to use a moisturizer with it (surprisingly because I’m reasonably oily and found the metronidazole cream too heavy).
I am 40 years old and have always had sensitive skin. The skin on my cheeks became very red and irritable after an unexpected day in the sun without sufficient sunscreen. It started as odd spots and then quickly progressed to red, angry blothches on my cheeks. The first visit to my GP (not my regular GP) said I had acne and gave me some Panoxyl which I decided not to use as it it can bleach clothes as it said in the instructions, what on earth can it do to your face. I went to see my regular GP a couple of days later who suspects Rosacea and has given me a strong course of antibiotics and metrogel cream. I am on day 3 and so far I see no sign of improvement, in fact I think its worse. Does anyone know how long you should continue and how long it takes to see any sign of improvent.
hi,there..its been two years after i got this tiny red bumps in my face and constant red face dilemna,i am a softball player whose supposed to be enjoying my last years in university… turn out to be a disaster,after graduation i moved here in United Arab Emirates,(one of the hottest place maybe) in here i found out that its a rosacea.(by dermatologist of course).. she gave me
DUMOZOL(topical)(2X A DAY) and VIBRAMYCIN 100 (oral),two hours after dinner(once)..its freaking hot in here,humid is so bad,foods are usually spicy..so dehydrating,but i’m coping up.. i’ve been using it for almost a month,and its almost gone, the problem is it’s hard to find in the market…..
one more thing,i just got married few months ago,and i want to get pregnant by next year.. i want to stop my oral medication,any suggestion for antibiotics that has no side effects for pregnant
i had mild rosacea a few papules here n there….i used this for a week it broke me out bad….i stopped it…my skin calmed down and the cream went into the garbage….and no, i’m not gonna find out if it gets worse before it gets better
Every time I use anything prescribed by my dermatologist the end result is that it always ends up making my rosacea worse. I recently started using Metronidazole and it appears to be making my rosacea worse, but recently it has been more severe and relentless for longer periods of time than ever. I had a question about the progression of this disease. Have I entered a new phase of severity as before if I had a breakout, the S/S would subside after a couple of days. Now it seems that instead of just getting better that it will get sort of better and then bam I can not get back to what was “baseline” before. (Just marginal redness in my eyebrows, which is where this whole thing started in the first place.)
The only thing that has ever worked in calming my rosacea is Aveeno soap. Unfortunately, it appears to be losing its effect. I don’t understand this condition, according to Wiki, the disease is somehow connected to intestinal bacteria? I should clarify that I used an ATB cream for a while that worked and when it stopped working, it only made it worse. Since then, the Aveeno is the only thing that has helped and all prescription drugs make it worse. Does this mean that the bacteria have developed a resistance to the drugs that worked initially?
The fact that ATBs worked makes me think something is wrong with my immune system. My dad is a doctor and pointed out that I have always had a low graunulocyte count on my CBC as a kid, but my overall WBC count is normal. Is this sig.? My aunt told me that she had rosacea of the eye and takes a steroid shot every year for it. If rosacea is a problem with the immune system, then this would seem to NOT be a good treatment. Perhaps, the problem is that the immune system does not recognize it as a problem. Although, from what I understand drugs that act to trigger the immune system often have bad side effects. Could it be hormonal as is one of the explanations for women who get multiple yeast inf.s. (improper balance of normal flora) At any rate, I wish there was a cure cause I don’t want to live like this…
I have answered questions for “newbies” extensively but I will try to keep this brief. I was alerted by a doctor friend that my “rosacea” took a turn for the worse and I needed treatment. While always pink, the bumps (p & p’s) were new. I tried the met. cream…and it continued to get worse. I finally put on my thinking cap and went on a complete cleanse, raw food for ten days, green juices for three days, weeks of cooked veggies, colonics, wheat grass….and every bit of bumps and redness disappeared. it must be intestinally related. back in the real world i find sugar, caffeine, sweet potato fries, starches generally cause a reaction with me. now i eat according to dr perricone’s inflammation diet which i find relevant for rosacea sufferers as well as acne, and when i don’t i see it in my face. now i can use the met cream to control since i am far from a saint with my diet, but knowing that i can counter balance with a good daily juice of cucumber, celery, spinach and lemon helps me stay in balance.
I also find that jojoba oil and glycerin for moisterizer along with cleansing with cetaphil is wonderful……rosaceans generally need good moisterizers and cetaphil has an excellent one…..
Also, I want to add that I was reluctant to get on the “antbiotic” train…for fear I’d never get off. And indeed, to this day I have not taken them.
My answer to the antibiotics was the Optimum Health Institute in Lemon Grove, California, a non profit cleansing and educational program, in business since the 1960′s and only word of mouth promotion. I did their program for a week and then did my own around the time I was going there and after.
I know the creams are expensive and so my doctor and I decided I would make my own. He gave me a prescription of metronidazole 500mg , I desolve one in a tiny bit of water and I put half of one in a jar of Alba face cream (its natural) The pills cost for fifteen is 4.00 and the jar of cream is 17.00 dollars. Im tired of getting jabbed by these companies that produce these drugs, so Im making my own. So you might want to try doing this.
after hours of skipping out of work to read article after article,….my head is spinning. I found out a year ago I have “a form of rosacea. I tried metrogel .75% but quickly gave up(i think due to impatience..not seeing immediate results) I then went to an Esthetician in 2/09 who recommended the new Clinique Medical line. I used the probiotic cleanser ($30)and the optimizing treatment cream as my moisturizer $80). although expensive, my skin transformed in under a week! To save $$, i realized during the summer i could get away with just using the cleanser and using cetaphil sensitive skin moisturizer. Now that the cold has set back in, my skin is back to being it’s normal pain in the you know what. my question? Can i use a darn cleanser and moisturizer that doesn’t total $100???I read some earlier posts talk about LaRoche Posay Toleriane products. I am definitely clear on the sunscreen front. we all MUST use it and it MUST contain zinc oxide and be PABA free. one that worked for my friend is by Neutrogena. here is the link. if anyone can tell me their “regimen” of what cleanser and hydrating moisturizer to use that would be great! http://www.neutrogena.com/econsumer/ntg/productdetail.browse?segment=women&catId=3&subCatId=9&productId=485&target=/products/sun/sensitive-skin-60-spf-sunblock-lotion.jsp
I am 18 years old now and went to the dermatologist for the first time. I have rosacea, and I hate it with a deep, firey, unexplainable passion! It has set me back in my life in so many ways. My face will get beet red all the time… in a warm room, when i exercise, when I’m embarrassed, when I’m stressed, when I’m dehydrated. Pretty much the tiniest thing will set it off. No one in my family has this.. how blessed am I? I eat extremely healthy and do not drink any alcohol, so i know it is not that. People have told me that I need to identify my “triggers”. Well, its not like I can just get up out of hot classroom just because my face is so so red (but I actually have had to do that before because I was so embarrassed by it. I avoid certain social events. I couldn’t enter into an end of the year speech competition even though I am great at it and love giving speeches, because I know this would trigger it. I can’t even begin to explain to people who don’t have rosacea the damage it does to my self-esteem. People tell me I’m a a beautiful girl, but I can’t believe them because I am so damaged by this skin problem. If I did not have this red, ugly skin, I would be extremely confident! This is so pathetic, but it really makes me want to cry a lot- and it’s only because I know I can be such a great person and do so many new things and meet so many new people, but no. I hate rosacea and if it were a living thing, I would hunt it down and kill it.
My doctor prescribed me tetracycline and metrogel 1%. I wil pray every night for improvement. I am sorry this is so long, but I don’t know anyone with rosacea so I have no one who understands the damper it puts on my life.
Not only did it take me a while to accept and love my white, fair skin in the middle of all these fake, tanning bed addict girls, but now with this, I just wish for different skin. People these days seem to see beauty in tan- not pale..or with the other half of my case, red. I am still going to follow my dreams and continue on, and not in any way am I depressed, but I will just have to continue on knowing I can’t do some of the things I want and I will live with the occassional hurt and embarrassment it puts on me.
Any support, advice, or understanding is much appreciated.
I’m not a “newby” really, except to this great website. Am 66 years old with a life time of worsening instead of improving skin. Every treatment has good and bad effects as my face and chest are so oily and dry and and sensitive. But, one question I can’t seem to find an answer to is, how can Obagi provide a 0.75% metrogel in their rosacea kit without a prescription? My dermatologist is surprised, but I bought it and really enjoy the immediate mostly good effects. The second question is what sunscreen has the least potential for breakouts and irritation? Hope it’s OK to ask 2 questions. Thanks for your time.
HI folks
I have had Rosacea for a few years now , on and off . I have found that chocolate really sets it off ( which is a real shame as I love it !) .
I use Rozex and tetracycline ,which did pretty much get rid of all the redness –I stopped using them about 4 years ago –then in the last 6 months I have been getting boils on my forehead and increased redness so I have gone back to my doc for a new script –heres hoping it works ….thanks for a great site , it really helps when you know your not alone
I just started using metronidazole. It says to use it in the evenings. I put it on around 8 or so and wake up with white flaking peeling stuff where I used it. Am I using too much? I can’t imagine putting it on in the morning. It also seems worse than when I started. Can I use a moisturizer during the day?
hi kristin,
from memory i thought the instructions said to put it on, wait five minutes and then use moisturizer. i do that, and then put on organic wear cover up from physicians formula and my moisturizer is just organic jojoba oil. i also wash with cetaphil and use cetaphil moisturizers as well, when i feel i need more. but better than anything i put on my skin is what i put into my mouth/system. if i eat foods too sweet, too starchy, too fried i have break outs. if i eat raw, lots of salads, if i juice green fresh juices i have clear beautiful skin. good luck!!
Hi,
I’ve just been diagnosed with Rosacea after many visits over a period of 6 months to various Chemists – where each one advised different hydrating creams – I finally sought the advice of my local G.P.
I’m devastated to learn that this will never go away but also confused because my G.P. said it was caused by a mite on my skin. I have read that it may be caused by stress – which is the right answer and should I avoid alcohol whilst using Rozex Gel?
Heya,
I have been diagnosed with Rosacea, just really red and dry skin, and have been using the topical gel for about a week now and I don’t really see a change – just wondering how long it would take to see results, if any at all. Thank you!
Hi Ashleigh,
I’m pleased to say that the Rozex gel I was prescribed is really doing it’s job. The difference in my skin in about a fortnight was remarkable. Hope you have as much success.
I hope I do as well.
And to answer one of your previous questions my dermatologist told me that they don’t exactly know what causes rosacea. I’ve had it for about 5-6 years now and just recently decided to do something about it. They prescribed me the gel and told me to come back in three months – that if it wasn’t working they’d put me on some pill for it. I just hate putting on foundation everyday as an attempt to cover the redness, and it really doesn’t make a difference. I’d rather take pills or rub gel on my face everyday than wear foundation for the rest of my life 
Thanks for your help!
I’ve been diagnosed with rosacea for about a year now…my adult acne (pimples only) suddenly has turned into rosacea (redness, irritation, etc)
It’s gone from occasional pimples and irritation to irritation almost all the time. Every moisturizer/make up item I use irritates it to no end. I’ve changed to bareminerals (all powder) make up, which has helped a lot, but still struggling to find a moisturizer with spf that won’t turn my face stinging into a massive red glow…
Any suggestions on moisturizers? I’ve also started using my metrogel again – any hints on if that will work any time soon to calm this down?
My face has always been so soft, now is just rough, dry and “thick” feeling – anyone experiencing that?
i use organic jojoba oil for moisturizing, it’s amazing. i wash with cetaphil which is great for those with rosacea. also cetaphil has nice morturizers……that don’t irritate. bare essential minerals is awesome as is organic wear make up from physicians formula. there is sunscreen from another company, eucerin, that is great, made to take out the redness.
just as important for me is controlling my diet. it’s sugar, fried foods, (sweet potato fries wreck my face) and carbs (white bread, potatoes, rice) that aggravate my skin. of course hot drinks one after the other doesn’t work for me, nor does alcohol. (a little with food is fine) honey in my tea (one cup after breakfast or at least with food in my stomach) doesn’t give me a problem but something like a mocha from a coffee shop is really bad. corn syrup is really bad. i see it immediately.
three days of a green juice fast (freshly squeezed cucumber, spinach, celery, lemon or something like that) plus colonics cleared everthing up. now i can see what in my diet aggravates my skin.
take responsibility and leave as little as possible to the pharma companies. i never took antibiotics, i was petrified to get on the train that never stops. good luck!
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I first of all what to thank all of you for the support you have given me by reading your emails. I never realized that there was a support group out there for Rosacea sufferers until I started to search the web for more information about this disease. Everyone is going through what I have been dealing with for the passed year.
I was first diagnosed 1 year ago at the age of 62….yup!…you heard me 62. What surprised me is that I never wear make up and really don’t do much sun bathing other then working in the garden. I always did blush but I just thought that was because I am a fairly shy person [and a redhead] and I would turn red at the dumbest stuff. My friends would tease me just to get me to turn red. However, this time the redness didn’t go away and I was beginning to get a rash/blemishes. I heard about rosacea but I never thought that is what it would be at my age.
Since this rash did not go away, I immediately made a doctors appointment assuming that I may have rosacea. Unfortunately, my PCP confirmed my worse fear. I was totally bummed out. I knew this was going to be something I was going to have to deal with the rest of my life. The good side was at 62 how many more years do I have???? Also thank goodness I retired two years ago so I don’t have to deal with looking like this at work.
My doctor perscribed metrogel 1% and for awhile it worked great; however, lately it is not doing anything at all. I have not been able to clear my skin in months. I blame this last series of flare ups on the horrendous winter we have had this year. I have a little dog that I walk twice a day no matter what the weather condition. The cold air and wind worked havoc on my skin. I can’t seem to get the rosacea under control so tomorrow I am going to ask my doctor if she can give me something else along with metrogel 1% to see if I can get my skin to clear up just a little quicker.
I’m beginning to feel that I have to explain to everyone I see that I have rosacea…..I know they see this horrible rash when they look at me. It is on both cheeks, by my temples, on my nose, on my lips, on and under my chin…YUCK! I would start to wear makeup but to me that makes it look worse.
I have good days and bad days but I just keep telling myself that I could have been diagnosed with something a lot worse. At least rosacea is not life threatening (my best friend, mother and husband all passed away from CANCER) and that thought basically gets me through the day.
Again, thanks everyone for all your suggestions, it really helps. I will keep reading to learn more!
hi
i posted on here may 2009 originally about the horrible time i was having with my face and i want to tell how i got rid of my burn, the redness everywhere just like you Becky, ashleigh and Marie. I was in excruting pain with the redness and everything. My dermy kept saying rosacea or allergy that has a trigger..well people. I found it after spending all the time and money on doctors appt and metrogel etc.. I was my TAP WATER.The tap water was irritating my skin and giving me rosacea symptoms.yes i couldnt believe it. i never had a problem. BUT the nano second i stopped using tap water and started washing my face with spring water it has been perfect every since.Not one teeny red hot spot, cheeks are fine.. no bumps.NOTHING. I also stopped using facecloths since i was washing them in the same water with my towels. I use cetaphil and the makeup remover pads, the puffy ones with spring water and i have not once felt my face burning, redness all over or the really dry skin. I havent even had a pimple since. The dry red skin has vanished. and i do not use any scripts orally or on my face. I use a moisturizer called PCA skin hydrator. For too long was I seriously depressed over this and it effected my social life. Now i can look in the mirror and smile.
try it…even just a week. wash with spring water ( i keep a small bottle underneath sink and those cotton pads) it might be your trigger too.
and…
)
my skin is more beautiful than ever using the spring water to wash face. It took two years of trying everything that didnt work.and I would cry myself to sleep almost nightly and then it dawned on me to just try the spring water..couldnt hurt.
I am told i am beauiful constantly and i think its cause my skin looks soo much better.
I hope someone tries this and it helps them too.
READ my post from May 2009.. you will see the hell i was living before this and how serious it was.
I read my email first thing this morning and was excited to read Jill’s comments……thanks Jill.
I will head to the store today and purchase some Spring Water just for my rosacea. I must say though that I have been using Cetaphil since I have been diagnosed with rosacea….my sister turned me on to this. She suggested it since I told her how irritating my skin was. Cetaphil is a “soap-free cleanser” and especially created for sensitive skin. Also I just pat dry my skin after washing it. I never rub it with a towel.
Afterwards since the Metrogel 1% seems to dry out my skin a little, I use a therapeutic moisturizing lotion called Complex 15. It is hypoallergenic and not oily at all. I use this lotion (just a little goes a long way) all throughout the day to keep my skin from getting to dry. If my skin gets too dry I feel itchy. It like a never ending cycle.
HOWEVER, I NEVER TRIED USING SPRING WATER but I certainly will now. Thanks again, Jill. See…! I learn something every day. GREAT!
oh becky I hope it works for you. I never would have thought it was my tap water. I grew up in peabody ma, been here most of my year. i DO noticed the water is hard water (like toothpaste is flat when i brush my teeth) I tried everything else for two years.Did your read my original post? i wanted to jump off a bridge i was in such agony. I wish i could send you pictures to see the difference. I can not FEEL the burn crawling, there is no painful itch. My eyes have been fine. It was still irritating at first and noticed it was reddish when i was washing face but i looked down and looked at the facecloth in my hand and thought “Hmmmmmm i wash these in that same water” so i stopped using that and my face is glowing ever since.
Give it a week and let me know how it went.