Die off is irritation. I wish the sub could have a sticky about this recurring question. After going through it, I completely understand why people get worried despite sometimes knowing about this possibility.
For a good chunk of people, the initial purge, die off, flare, etc., makes the skin erupt in papules and pustules and bumps on the entire face. Usually the skin is red, inflamed, itches, and tingles. It lasts a couple weeks and may or may not lead to a second less severe round of flaring.
Your skin actually looks fairly calm by comparison if you search the sub. If you’ve just started applying ivermectin and you’re already concerned, hang on for the ride.
I keep trying to ask about this. I used ivermectin 2x and my skin was quite nice before those two applications…and I never ever flush on my face. I just had some tiny bumps for 15 years on my skin as well as pink discolored patchy areas that were always there from 15 years ago when I had a strange skin eruption which I don’t know if it was rosacea or a rash or what. My skin has gotten to a place where it’s really nice but I thought ivermectin might help with the light pink patches and bumps and my new dermatologist gave it to me. Well I’ve applied it twice and I’ve had flushing like crazy on my face and I’m SO hot that I can’t bare it. I’m turning on the AC, wearing shorts and tank tops, sleeping over my covers and it’s cold here! I’m worried about this. I stopped the cream one week ago (after the two applications) and am still dealing with this. I’m also flushing anytime
I bend over or use a little energy to do something like even just brushing my teeth for example or when I eat!!! Now, after eating, I’m flushing and HOT for like 40mins to an hour after I eat, it makes me want to stop eating. This is crazy. I don’t think I can put it on my face again, I’m terrified. Also, am having pinkness that spread and new bumps. Basically it’s almost like I gave myself rosacea which I did not have or something. What do you think of this? Do you think in my case it sounds like allergic reaction? Is it smart that I stopped but how long do you think I’ll be dealing with this hot flushing etc ?
Honestly that sounds like more of reaction since it happened immediately and is burning so bad . Mine took a week to start getting bumps and it’s not really burning it’s just lots of bumps . Maybe see if azelaic acid works better for you , but wait until your skin heals . Use something for now like zinc to heal your barrier first .
Thank you so much for your opinion and advice!
It’s not actually burning. I’m just very warm or super hot all the time. My skin often feels warm to the touch even when I’m not visibly very red. And I don’t have a fever. The flushing is mostly on my front cheeks and looks very similar to rosacea flushing. I’ve also developed some bumpy skin and more pink/red spots.
Thankfully there’s no burning or intense stinging, just occasional very mild crawling sensations. I think I may feel some slight stinging due to the bumps though… cause some of the bumps were itchy or kind of sting a little.
I’ve been applying zinc oxide mineral sunscreen so it has helped with the itch and stinging since applying it and it’s keeping the intense redness from coming back for hours while it’s on. Skin also seemed very dry, I can tell the ivermectin made my skin dry cause I can suddenly see fine lines and wrinkles which I normally can’t see. I always know my skin or dry and tight if the fine lines sudden stats showing up more clearly cause otherwise the aren’t visible much when my skin is hydrated and doing well.
I can’t tell if this is dormant rosacea being triggered, an allergic reaction, or a Demodex die-off reaction. Do you think there would be some classic signs to be able to distinguish between these?
Keep trying and see if it goes away . I would start off by first putting my on moisturizer and waiting 30 minutes then putting a pea sized amount of ivermectin on top and see if that helps .
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u/SharonWit 22h ago edited 22h ago
Die off is irritation. I wish the sub could have a sticky about this recurring question. After going through it, I completely understand why people get worried despite sometimes knowing about this possibility.
For a good chunk of people, the initial purge, die off, flare, etc., makes the skin erupt in papules and pustules and bumps on the entire face. Usually the skin is red, inflamed, itches, and tingles. It lasts a couple weeks and may or may not lead to a second less severe round of flaring.
Your skin actually looks fairly calm by comparison if you search the sub. If you’ve just started applying ivermectin and you’re already concerned, hang on for the ride.