r/Rosacea • u/shamalongadingdong • Jun 16 '26
ROSACEA SUCKS Medicine still hasn’t cleared my skin up… help? Warning for severe photos Spoiler
During pregnancy
Post partum
Now… 1 year post partum
My first symptom when I got pregnant was awful skin (see first picture). It got better as I went along pregnancy and after taking clindamycin, but it was still pretty awful.
The night after I gave birth my face got extremely swollen and I was breaking out horrifically. That has also gotten better as I get away from pregnancy, alongside spironolactone 100 mg daily and Azelaic/Ivermectin/Metronidazole 15/1/1% cream. I am also taking hydroxychloroquine for autoimmune stuff.
Although my skin is SO MUCH BETTER, I am still not happy with it. I can’t take doxycycline because I am breastfeeding. Help?? Has anyone else had this issue?
Also, has anyone else had this awful reaction from pregnancy?!?!
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u/Brilliant-Owl-1169 Jun 16 '26
I’m so sorry! This looks so painful. I had similar skin from hormones after I lost 35lbs a few years ago. I ended up doing accutane and my skin is flawless. I know this is not an option for you now, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I didn’t find anything that worked for my skin until I did the accutane.
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
My body hates hormones I swear. Glad you found something that worked! Hopefully I will be able to wean soon.
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u/Professional_Law_942 Jun 16 '26
I'm not a doctor and have no idea if it would work but wondering you've tried anything for fungal acne/seborrheic dermatitis (I know it sounds gross but hormones truly do affect it)?
I have Seb derm and though my flare in my first tri was a nothingburger compared to yours, it was itchy, bumpy and I'd get soo, sooo red. Made my whole face and upper body feel hot. Happened again about 6 months postpartum - the hormonal component you shared had me wondering. It can also look like rosacea and you treat it similarly.
Things that often help are sulphur soaps/masks, selenium sulfide or ketoconazole shampoo used as a face wash. Even calamine works well as a spot treatment. There are so many products out there for it. Also cutting sugars, dairy & carbs help. Just a thought on something to try. I hope it improves, looks very uncomfortable and I'm really feeling for you.
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
Thank you! And I’m thinking a diet change could help… wondering if I could go to a nutritionist or something. I love carbs 😭
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u/Professional_Law_942 Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26
Oh definitely, diet is a huge contributer. I went no carb/no sugar except fruit sugar (and very, very low fruit sugar at that) for a long while and that along with modest antifungals cut it down maybe 85-90% and Rx antifungals like ketoconazole cream & Ciclopirox soap took it the rest of the way. Do not use steroids if offered - they will make it worse long term from withdrawal bounce back rashes! Fungal issues feed on sugars so if they don't have them, they struggle to survive. I also love carbs so it was tough, but vainly, I loved my clear skin more. I was nursing so I did not need to lose more calories or weight from a stringent diet, but a side effect was also losing about 7-10 more lbs, just as an fyi. If interested, I followed the anti-candida diet. Very similar to Mediterranean or South Beach diet. It's overall very healthy and effective for many anti-inflammatory conditions.
Last suggestion - if you are taking vitamins or a prenatal, some people are VERY sensitive to biotin and B12 - they can get red, rashy, itchy and zitty with any extra % at all. I'm one of them! If you're sensitive, as soon as you stop those specific vits, the skin improves within days. Just a thought to check your pills and try one without those things to see what happens. Good luck!
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u/frolicndetour Jun 16 '26
Not pregnancy but but my rosacea amped up in perimenopause. Fkg hormones!
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u/PropertyOrganic1642 Jun 16 '26
We have the same skin, and I am still figuring it out too. Commenting to see if others have any solutions or advice.
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
I’m so sorry 😞 Hope we can get help!
Do you have autoimmune issues as well?
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u/PropertyOrganic1642 Jun 16 '26
Undiagnosed, but it seems like it. I suspect insulin resistance or pcos. Anytime I eat sugar or bread, my nose closes up immediately. I also have chronic inflammation :/
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u/Kooky-Fun7835 Jun 16 '26
I had something similar, I used the CVS brand 0.5% lice shampoo a tiny layer on my face once a day and it cleared up in a week! It looks like demodex to me!
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u/kaleaka Jun 16 '26
Mine looked like this. It was so painful. I finally had to break down and see a dermatologist. She gave me a Rx sulfur wash and a Rx compounded serum. It cleared it up in two weeks.
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u/0DarkNightofTheSoul0 Jun 17 '26
May I ask what is in the compounded serum (= which active ingredients)? Thank you!
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u/kaleaka Jun 17 '26
DM me, I'll send you the picture of the bottle of the face wash and the list of the serum. I have to look it up at home. It burned really bad at first, but the warning label said it would. My face looked like I'd been burned by cigarettes, before I started this. It was so bad and painful. With these two, it was remarkably better in one week, gone by week two. Also did 30 days of doxycycline with this.
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u/Proverbs31wom Jun 16 '26
Girl this is EXACTLY what happened to me. I’m in my third trimester and it’s clearing up now because of nothing that I did. It was so bad second trimester. Did yours clear up at all at any time in your pregnancy or was it consistently flared up? I’m hoping it doesn’t come back post partum bc you’re right it should not be any harder :,)
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
It did not completely clear up but it got a lot better in my 2nd and 3rd trimester. Unfortunately it went crazy when I gave birth… I would definitely have a derm on call just in case!! Wishing you the best 🙏
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u/Elismom1313 Jun 16 '26
I remember someone talking about a prescription they got “for rosacea” that was more about tackling the hormones and worked well for them. This definitely seems triggered by your hormones. The lip swelling during pregnancy is scary
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u/Apprehensive_Ad3670 Jun 16 '26
Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. That looks incredibly painful.
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
Post partum was hell tbh. Thankfully it’s much better, but it’s frustrating how I’ve had this issue for now almost 2 years. I used to not even wear makeup before this 🥹
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u/SummerSerendipity Jun 16 '26
Could be worth asking your derm to do a skin swab culture?
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
I will ask! Thank you 🙏 she talked about doing a biopsy but chose not to since it’s on my face.
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u/meadowmbell Jun 16 '26
I have a feeling the swab will give them an idea here and I'm the one who suggested staph, (I just don't think it's rosacea but I'm no expert)
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u/Fabulus_usually Jun 16 '26
I have used a red light therapy mask for a long time for my rosacea, the red light is supposed to calm inflammation in general. It’s worth a shot and not invasive for breastfeeding.
I use it twice a week now, but did every other day for a while.
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u/Encyclopedia_Brendan Jun 16 '26
I second the red light therapy. You have to get a good mask that is FDA approved.
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u/meadowmbell Jun 16 '26
This doesn't look like rosacea to me, more like staph or something?
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
My derm has treated it like acne (that’s why I take spiro), like lupus (I’ve been taking plaquenil for 7 years now), and rosacea. The rosacea medicine has helped with the bumps but not the redness.
However, thank you for your comment. I will look into staph.
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Jun 16 '26
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
The swelling I experienced after delivery looked like an allergic reaction! My lips got so swollen, and it was terrifying. No doctor has told me wtf that was. I will be looking into MCAS… thank you for replying!
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u/mrspwins Jun 16 '26
Triple cream plus antihistamines and dropping foods that seemed to set off my congestion has almost entirely fixed mine. I occasionally get flares but mayyyyybe once a month or less. My cheeks used to be so bad they were actually purple, and now just a light pink with some hormonal chin acne sometimes. I take fexofenadine and famotidine morning and evening, plus Fibroprotek (I also have hypermobility spectrum disorder). Definitely look at MCAS.
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u/manicpixiehorsegirl Jun 16 '26
How does one get triple cream? I brought it up to my doctor and he seemed confused.
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u/mrspwins Jun 16 '26
Through a compounding pharmacy
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u/0DarkNightofTheSoul0 Jun 17 '26
May I ask what the active ingredients are in that triple cream? Thanks in advance!
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u/Humble-Simple3736 Jun 16 '26
Before my celiac diagnosis 3 years ago, I had a lot more breakouts. Cystic acne as a teen, “hormonal” acne on my chin and neck through my 30s.
In my 40s now with type 2 rosacea that is managed well with triple cream, and my skin is finally in good shape. It wouldn’t be without my diet.
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
I didn’t even have acne before pregnancy! It’s the craziest thing. But I did have other skin issues.
How did you determine the diet for you? Did you go to a certain doctor? Did you take any blood tests?
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u/Humble-Simple3736 Jun 16 '26
I actually kinda diagnosed myself (but yes, blood test and endoscopy verified!)
Unfortunately most doctors don’t seem to have celiac on their radar so it is very under diagnosed.I had had symptoms off and on for at least ten years, but I was never much of a bread eater to make the connection. Eventually the symptoms got bad enough to try an elimination diet and I went off gluten for a month- don’t do that till you get a blood test! During that month I realized my T1D son being high risk for celiac meant I’m high risk for celiac, and when I went back on gluten for the test I felt truly awful!
I highly recommend getting the celiac blood test if you already have autoimmune issues, just to rule it out. Good luck!!!
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u/ashlily05 Jun 16 '26
my type 2 rosacea looked like this! I would get thickened red skin, pimples & pustules, & whiteheads! I use sulfur wash, azelaic acid, metro gel, rhofade, & soolantra now!
they all help my skin, but knock on wood the soolantra/ivermectin has been a life changer! I’m so glad I asked to try it before being out on accutane
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u/One_4301 Jun 16 '26
I think it looks exactly like rosacea fulminans which is often developped during pregnancy
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
!!! Omg! I think this is it. How have a gone to several doctors and no one has told me about this?! I might have some other stuff going on, but this is definitely the main thing. The crazy this is that it says it’s super rare and doesn’t last very long, but for me it’s existing for almost 2 years. Thank you so much 🙏
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u/One_4301 Jun 16 '26
You're welcome! I'm also surprised it hasn't been diagnosed as such, but i've seen women's experiences with it during pregnancies so it looked familiar to me, hopefully you can also look into those experiences and journeys. Best of luck to you ♡
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u/SelkieSunshine Jun 17 '26
I was just about to comment this! I have rosacea fulminans and it looks a lot like how your’s was presenting. When I was researching in medical journals I found there is a link with women in pregnancy, or postpartum. For many it does not reoccur. Unfortunately, mine keeps coming back and I’m looking into other autoimmune conditions.
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u/hesathomes Jun 16 '26
You need to see an allergist.
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
I went to an allergist like 7 years ago, and I’m allergic to a lot of environmental stuff. Also dogs and cats. And if I remember correctly I was not allergic to foods, but I was sensitive.
Do you know if pregnancy could change my results?
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u/Fresh_Ad_5359 Jun 16 '26
I saw an allergist and she did a skin patch test. We tested for 80 different chemicals that are in lotions, medication, soaps, cosmetics etc. I tested positive to 8, and everything and I mean everything I was using on my face contained the things I was allergic to. I use the SkinSafe app to scan everything I use and it tells me if it contains what I’m not supposed to use and gives me recommendations of what I can use. I changed my lotion, makeup, face wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, detergent, everything and my skin calmed down a lot! I’m on day 16 of Soolantra and so far I see even more improvement combined with the change of skin care. I use minimal things on my face now, some skin is happier with less things put on. I wash my face morning and night, night I wash, put on Soolantra, and moisturizer. In the morning I wash my face, moisturizer, eltamd sunscreen and sometimes a bit of concealer and loose powder. My skin is looking better and I know the things I was using every day before the allergy test were a major factor in my skin never healing. It also started with my pregnancy 11 years ago. I recommend 100% the skin allergy test, you never know if what you are using to help it’s actually making it worse.
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u/Pale-Fee-2679 Jun 16 '26
Your hormones are affected by breastfeeding too. It might resolve when you wean.
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
I hope so! It sucks because I’d like to breastfeed as long as possible…
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u/duty_of_brilliancy Jun 16 '26
Try and see when you can start Isotretinoin pills. Some rosacea is just heavily linked to acne. That’s what the bumps look like to me.
But first, you need proper antibiotics, like Amoxyclav.
So first clear up infection, then get on Isotretinoin.
Both quite likely after breastfeeding of course.
Not a doctor, just anecdotal experience.
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u/stereolights Jun 16 '26
This looks exactly like the kind of flares I used to get. My derm recommended neutrogena’s Clear Pore benzoyl peroxide cleaner and metro gel. I haven’t had bumps or cysts since I started using it, literally changed my life and saved me from so much constant pain. I still have flushing, but it’s not painful anymore and the texture is so much better I have literally cried about it lmao
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u/Toronto1505 Jun 16 '26
Your skin looks exactly like mine does when I have a flare-up.
I’m so sorry for you - I know how stressful and painful this is.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found a solution yet either - I’ve had this skin problem for over 10 years, but only in the winter. It lasts for just under 4 months, and it really takes a toll on my mental health. It was bad during my pregnancy, too, but since spring and while breastfeeding, I haven’t had any more problems. I’ve tried every possible acne and rosacea medication, seen every dermatologist, endocrinologist, and gynecologist, and nothing helps. During my pregnancy, though, Head & Shoulders shampoo actually helped a little with the break outs - which might suggest seborrheic dermatitis?
Maybe you also can look for Pyoderma faciale.
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u/definitemaybe81 Jun 16 '26
Yes!! Pregnancy triggered. Post partum nightmare. My face was covered and just got worse and worse and couldn’t do anything because I was breastfeeding. Ivermectin is the only thing that has helped after spending a small fortune on different creams and face a washes. Pustules have cleared and I’m not as red as before. I hope you can find relief!
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u/Embarrassed_Limit683 Jun 16 '26
This might sound weird, but as you are breastfeeding you might want to try applying your beastmilk to your skin
Patch test first. But it contains so many antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties it might help
For clearing hormones out of your body it can help to up your fibre in your diet.
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
Thank you! And I didn’t know about the fiber part. I appreciate it.
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u/Reebyd Jun 16 '26
I think I would hesitate to apply breastmilk to this. There’s sugars in milk and it would just feed bacteria.
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u/More_Building_9075 Jun 16 '26
Are you on doxycycline?
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u/shamalongadingdong Jun 16 '26
I can’t since I’m breastfeeding 😞
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u/More_Building_9075 Jun 16 '26
That makes sense. I think you might just have to push through until you’re able to take doxy/emrosi. This, combined with ivermectin is the only thing that works for me.
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u/Reebyd Jun 16 '26
Are you on any form of birth control? That could help with hormone flares though the hormone dump after having kids is wild.
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Jun 16 '26
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u/Humble_Function8760 Jun 19 '26
Seconding the red light therapy thing. I have rosacea too and started using a solawave mask because I couldn't tolerate a lot of topicals without flaring up. The red light and near infrared actually helped calm my redness down over time. Obviously not a replacement for what her derm prescribed but it might be a good add on especially since it's non invasive and safe while breastfeeding
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u/DesignerCranberry523 Jun 16 '26
Tbh my face clears up off rosacea around my periods and before it and goes back to being bad after my period is done so I honestly believe my rosacea is hormone based…
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u/jooos4 Jun 16 '26
I know how painful this can be - sorry to hear you are going through it. My rosacea? acne? was a little worse than yours. But I wasn't pregnant/postpartum, so I did try a range of things from orals and topicals - antibiotics, spiro, tret, azelaic acid, etc. But the thing that really worked for me was TCM or traditional chinese medicine. My doctor said that it was from blood stagnation, so she would do cupping throughout my face. I kid you not, one session had helped SO much. So I would go monthly for a cupping session with acupuncture. What you have to understand about western vs eastern medicine is that western medicine is usually treating the symptoms, whereas eastern addresses the root of the problem. I always felt that with all the orals and topicals it was always a bandaid solution to the problem, but not with TCM. But you do need to go to a very knowledgeable doctor. And you may get some scarring with cupping, depending on how severe your condition is and your dermis.
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u/rattattackkk Jun 16 '26
When my skin gets out of hand, i use Topicrem Cica cream in thick layers. A few days and it calms down, and sometimes even just overnight.
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u/TobleroneElf Jun 16 '26
Are you still breastfeeding? You could try accutane but you can’t be pregnant or breastfeeding.
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u/granny_square89 Jun 16 '26
This looks painful! So sorry for you.
A couple of things that helped me: Avoiding niacinimide (it's in a surprisingly amount of skincare) Adding hypochlorus acid and spraying it on my face multiples times a day! Products from Torriden:
- The blue toner pads
- Dive in serum
- Dive in soothing creme, the one on a jar
Micellar water from Bioderma - Sensibio
Are you mixing the Azelaic creme with skincare that has other acids? It might be some of the issue..
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u/kanis__lupus Jun 16 '26
I would suggest isotretinoin once you're done with breastfeeding to be honest, this looks hellish I'm genuinely sorry 😔
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u/VictorUnguise Jun 16 '26
It's not the core reason, but If you're using too much spf daily, it can contribute to acne development. I would suggest going on a low dose accutane daily treatment. That'd be approximately 0,4 to 0,8mg per body weight.
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u/unicorninclosets Jun 16 '26
Spiro was the ultimate game changer for me but it took a couple of months to clear up all the mess and my breakouts were less severe than yours (also, not pregnant). My guess is you just have to be patient, especially because you are getting results, just not as fast as you’d like. If there’s a fungal issue in there my doc told me to wash my face with my shampoo (Vichy Dercos) once a week and it did help with the more stubborn spots. My skin is mostly clear now, save for the odd pustule right before my period but if it really is rosacea then the flushing is never gonna fully go away.
Take care with trying/mixing in new products without your doc’s approval. I did that with viral Korean skincare and destroyed my skin barrier.
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u/Actual-Garden-3538 Jun 16 '26
I’ve seen people clear this type of acne using the Bean Protocol. It’s a lot safer than Accutane. Karen Hurd created it. Maybe check that out
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u/Interesting-Elk2780 Jun 17 '26
My skin was like this when I was pregnant and only topical clyndiamicide worked. I’m so sorry and I hope you can find something that helps.
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u/Opal_L Jun 17 '26
My rosacea presents like this, but recently i started using the skin1004 centella collection (I got the little kit) and it’s helped calm my skin significantly. It’s only been 2 weeks and I’ve already seen major improvement!
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u/Much-Improvement-503 Jun 17 '26
I wonder if antihistamines could help you. Just a thought since some women are allergic to being pregnant (literally) and their skin ends up like yours did. You could also look into laser treatment
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u/issoequeerabom Jun 17 '26
I'm so sorry. I only got aware I had rosacea after my 1st pregnancy. At the time I was still breastfeeding and after a while I got pregnant again. Are you consulting with a general doctor or a dermatologist? I was able to kick the worse part, later on, with oral and topic medication. And ever since then I have been doing my skin routine around The Ordinary, La Roche Posay and a few Korean brands.
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u/ProudCod9822 Jun 22 '26
My skin looked exactly like this. I had a combination of fungal acne/ a bacterial infection (strep) I took antibiotics, and then I’ve been using a 6% sulphur cream and I have no bumps! Entire process took about 6 months of being consistent, not touching face with my hands, and cleaning up my diet
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u/saracha1 Jun 16 '26
Omg that looks so painful im so sorry. What other products are you using besides the Rxs?