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Ivermectin topical and Itching: What Users Say

Brand names: Soolantra, Sklice

Itching: mentioned by 44 users (11.0%)

Based on user experiences from 399 Ivermectin topical reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

acne 12.8%
itching 11.0%
redness 9.8%
burning 5.8%
bumps 5.5%
pain 4.0%
flare-ups 2.8%
dryness 2.5%
dry skin 2.3%
allergic reaction 1.8%

Reviews for Ivermectin topical

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Rea...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 23, 2020

For Rosacea "My experience with Soolantra is similar to Grateful’s. Skin reddening and becoming more sun-sensitive, bumps and pustules got me to the GP, a disastrous prescription of flucloxacillin that multiplied the bumps and pustules a hundredfold and caused me to have 2 weeks off, but fortunately got me to an excellent dermatologist. The dermatologist prescribed washing with Dermol500 and applying Soolantra. I have been using it now since 17 April (today is 23 May) and in that time, it has cleared all lumps, bumps, scales, rash, redness and amazingly (to me) stopped the strange flushing feeling that would creep across my face like an allergic reaction several times a day. I have been almost crying in gratitude with the relief from the pain and itching."

10 / 10
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171 Report
  • Eda...
  • May 9, 2019

For Rosacea "UPDATE: I last wrote here 17/4/19. I finished my three-month course on Soolantra for Perioral Dermatitis. Here’s a brief summary of what my skin was like during: Days 1-2: immediately cleared up everything. Days 3-14: huge flare-up - I’d wake up with 2/3 new papules each morning, and the cream made my skin itch like anything. Weeks 3-4: major improvement, barely any papules left, and my nose area had completely cleared. I also noticed I no longer itched after applying the cream! Weeks 5-8: started to get more papules on my chin, and the nose area flared up again. Weeks 9-11: probably the worst time - I now started to get 1-3 BIG whiteheads around my chin area, that said, they never lasted long (about 1-2 days). The best way to deal with these is to have a steamy shower because often they will pop naturally, then apply soolantra straight after! Week 12: now my skin is completely clear and smooth! I’m so happy! Really hoping this helps!"

10 / 10
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158 Report
  • Nic...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 27, 2021

For Rosacea "I had terrible rosacea flare-ups in lockdown and tried Soolantra. Days 1-3, a glimpse of the future! The most amazing baby skin overnight! The next couple of weeks, tremendous die-off flare-ups, itching, red, spotty, dry, and awful. Now, week four, my skin is clear and baby soft. I do not think it has looked like this for 40 years!"

10 / 10
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82 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Sbe...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 11, 2020

For Rosacea "Just wanted to share my experience because these reviews have helped me so much. I'm on day 13, and my skin is clearing so well. The first few days (until day 10-11) were terrible!! I mean awful! Bumps everywhere, and redness and itching. I was also using Finacea gel during the day, and I believe that was making my skin worse. I stopped using that during the day and started using sodium sulfacetamide (Klaron), and my skin has made a turn for the better. I had some redness (butterfly rash) and tons of papules. They seem to be clearing up, and my skin is crazy soft. I'm using Neutrogena ultra-gentle wash in the morning and night, Paula's Choice 2 percent clear exfoliant everywhere except my cheeks day and night, the Klaron topical antibiotic in the day, then Vani Cream Lite in the day, and then Soolantra in the evening, no cream on top of it. Please try this routine if you are struggling!! I will update when it's been a month (:"

10 / 10
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40 Report
  • Eda...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 14, 2019

For Rosacea "UPDATE: I last wrote on here 2/25/19! It has now been a month for me using Soolantra for my rosacea, and wow, my skin hasn’t looked this great in ages! My skin is smooth, not as itchy, no longer red, and I have just one tiny red bump left! I occasionally get a random small pustule, but come morning it is already gone! Hoping that I am near the end, however, I know there are highs and lows! Fingers crossed for everyone!"

9 / 10
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44 Report

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  • Den...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 26, 2019

For Rosacea "I am a 42-year-old female, with fair, sensitive skin. I am 105 lbs and about 5'2'. Increased skin symptoms over the last year. I started getting what I thought was hormonal acne on my jowls. I thought the acne-like symptoms were due to hormone fluctuations; my skin would clear during specific points in my cycle. Foods would trigger it. In addition to acne-like red bumps, pustules, redness, slight itchiness, swelling, etc., I also started to get these small, pink raised patches on my cheeks, up closer to my eyes. These were itchy; I thought it might be eczema. The acne-like symptoms spread to my jawline, then cheeks. I went to my derm and found it was Demodex. I was in disbelief that this could be causing my symptoms, as I am incredibly clean. Rx: oral Ivermectin (4 tablets 1x/week for 4 weeks) and Soolantra (nightly). Days 1 and 2 were okay. Days 3-5, my face got worse. My face was probably reacting to Demodex dying. By day 7, my face was completely clear and has been since (4 wk Tx completed)."

10 / 10
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37 Report
  • Mar...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 20, 2018

For Rosacea "Today I feel sad. I have been using Soolantra for 7 weeks now. The first 3 days were terrible, with major redness, itching, and lots of pimples. But then they disappeared, and also the bumps that I have had for several months started to reduce in size. My cheeks have had a very strange texture because of the rosacea, but they now got smooth and less red. I have rosacea on my nose and cheeks. So I was happy until now, week 7, when suddenly it seems to go in the wrong direction. I have a breakout that is really bad, with itching, pimples, and more redness than before I started. I know it says that you should continue for 12 weeks, so I will do that. I will come back and tell what happened. But I wanted to share my experience since I know how hard it is to have rosacea and also to read only stories that include people who got rid of it only in two weeks. I have type 2 with p&p, but I also have redness with broken blood vessels."

5 / 10
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32 Report

More FAQ

  • Hal...
  • May 22, 2020

For Rosacea "I have been suffering from rosacea for around 5 years. I would get persistent red, scaly patches on both cheeks, they would clear up slightly but quickly return. Alcohol definitely made it worsen. I’ve also always been quick to flush if embarrassed. I heard about Soolantra and decided to give it a go in lockdown since I am not going to see anyone at the moment. :) The first evening I put it on, the next morning, my patches had risen and become more noticeable, they even had small, white pustular spots on them, which I’ve never had before! So something was definitely working. Then came the severe itchiness for around 5-7 days. It was so hard not to scratch! I found an ice pack helped with this stage. Then came the flaking, which is the stage I am still going through two weeks in. The patches are still there, but the rest of my face feels very smooth. I think this cream is having a positive effect on me as the redness is not as bad, and the patches feel a little bit smaller, but we will see!"

6 / 10
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22 Report
  • mdb...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 3, 2024

For Rosacea "I am now on week 6 of Soolantra every night. I wanted to wait until now to give an accurate review. I finished a course of Roaccutane for acne in 2017 and afterwards suffered from easily reddened skin. After a series of illnesses, I developed rosacea. I tried a routine with azelaic acid, I tried cutting all actives, I switched to a low dose of tretinoin, but the severe redness continued. I started Soolantra as a last-ditch attempt to help. Week 1 was hideous. I mean the worst cystic acne type bumps I've had since pre-Roaccutane. Not only were they huge and painful, but every time I checked in the mirror, a new one came. If you feel tempted to try and pop these... think again. Instead of healing in a few days like an acne lesion, they spread in width and redness almost like a bug bite. My usual Duac spot treatments did nothing except burn. Then came the itching and burning of my skin in general. At week 3 to 4 came calmness. Only the odd tiny bump. Week 6, best skin I've had in months."

10 / 10
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6 Report
  • Hox...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 3, 2019

For Rosacea "I have been using Soolantra for one week so far. I still have pustules and scaly patches, but they are improving. Almost from day one, the itching and heat have gone! I have had rosacea for 13 years and had forgotten how normal feels. Even if my skin gets no better, it is worth it just for that."

8 / 10
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24 Report
  • Jus...
  • August 1, 2019

For Rosacea "In Canada, this ivermectin cream is called Rosiver. Have been having large pustules and dry, flaky skin for over 5 years now, I’m 62. Finally found a dermatologist that suggested this cream...I’m now on week 4, has improved a lot, no itching. (I honestly thought I had bugs under my skin...maybe I’m not far off the mark there). Demodex mites are more prevalent in older adults, especially ones with fair and sensitive skin. I’ve probably had these mites in an overabundance for years...and then all hell started breaking loose. (I also had bad acne as a teenager). I’m hoping by the end of 3 months I’m totally clear of them. So far, this cream has worked better than Metrogel and all the other creams I’ve tried. Here’s hoping!!! The sad fact is how expensive this cream is...over 200 dollars here in Canada."

8 / 10
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23 Report
  • JAL...
  • February 8, 2018

For Rosacea "Here is my experience with Soolantra. Week 1 - 2: Burning, itching, tingling. Sometimes very intense. Week 3 - 4: Things got very bad during week three. I looked horrible. End of 4th week I started to notice some slight improvement. Weeks 5 - 6: Major improvement in skin texture, papules diminished, redness decreased. Week 7 - 8: Very frustrating. Good one day, bad the next. Towards the end of week 8, things began to clear again. Week 9 - 12: Continued improvement during the 3rd month with mostly good days. After 3 months, I stopped using it daily, and my skin has never looked this good. Redness has improved considerably but not 100%. Suggestion for those considering this medication is to start off using very little and stick with it. Cost for a 45-gram tube is $400 in Southern California. With my insurance, it was $200. Adding the manufacturer's coupon, it was $75. After 6 months, I just got my first refill. A little goes a long way. Good luck to all."

9 / 10
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23 Report
  • Mad...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 29, 2020

For Head Lice "Do not use this medication on your children or anyone! My child lost all of her hair, and my other daughter lost half of her hair! Scabbing, sores! This product is very dangerous and should be pulled off the market! This damaged a little girl's life that will never recover, a year later, she still has almost no hair!"

1 / 10
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23 Report
  • Kim...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 21, 2017

For Rosacea "I have been using Soolantra for 6 days now. I have read the reviews and I am trying to hang in there, but my outbreak is horrible. Don’t want to leave the house. I am experiencing burning, itching, and tingling. My cheeks have bumps all over them with pustules and extreme dryness. It is sore to touch. I am trying to suck it up, hoping that the reviews I have read are true and it will get better. Has anyone gone through this? I had mild rosacea, so this is horrible."

1 / 10
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20 Report
  • Nic...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 20, 2016

For Rosacea "At first, I thought Soolantra did not work, but that was only because I had another problem-due to my inhaler, which had given me a yeast infection on my face. I got worse and worse, then solved that problem and began Soolantra again. It actually seems to make my skin look better on contact. There is such a difference that I use it in the morning or just before I go out, and people have noticed. I don't have an extreme case of rosacea, but the redness, large pores, itching, and burning are responding to treatment. I only put it on the affected areas to conserve it, and I had some samples, so that is why I estimate only $2.00 a month. With insurance, a tube is $60."

10 / 10
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21 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 27, 2019

For Rosacea "Started using Soolantra after my doc prescribed it for rosacea, which I was shocked at, as being a beauty therapist, I totally did not think I had rosacea, as I would link rosacea to sensitive, red, inflamed skin, which mine is not. I have a terrible uneven texture occurring in my skin for years now. It has just gotten worse over the years and I have pit marks. Been using the cream for a few days. My skin is very dry and tight, but I think I am seeing a slight improvement in the texture issue. But my neck is blotchy and itchy, which I didn’t have before, and I am getting some breakouts again, something I don’t really get? I can only assume that it brings out the badness to clear it up, perhaps. Most people on here have redness rosacea, so I think I’m still in shock that just my texture issue is rosacea, but I’m willing to give this a go as I think I see an improvement. Anyone else on here just have the texture issue with no redness and been diagnosed with rosacea? I’d love to hear back."

8 / 10
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13 Report
  • Ano...
  • February 27, 2018

For Rosacea "Not just good. Amazing! (So far). Only been using this for 4 days, but I can tell you this cream has already worked incredibly! I'm 31, and I had my first breakout of rosacea 5 months ago. It started with red pustules that started on my upper/inner cheeks, and then my cheeks started itching and burning, and the pustules spread to the entire surface of the cheeks down to my jaw. This drove me crazy for months, and I tried everything: removing foods I was eating, changing skin products, taking oregano oil, etc. No joke, after the FIRST application, the reduction in itching and volatility of my skin was noticeable. After 4 days, my skin continues to itch/sting less, and everything is continuing to fade. I don't know if this cream works for all subtypes of rosacea, BUT if your rosacea is predominantly itching and stinging, with red bumps and pustules, PLEASE try this cream."

10 / 10
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14 Report
  • Tee...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 9, 2018

For Rosacea "I have been struggling with my skin for a year from long-term use of topical steroids. It has been such a roller coaster. I've been on many regimens of antibiotics and creams, nothing worked. My self-confidence was so low, and depression was at an all-time high. My doctor wanted to put me on Accutane, but I declined because of the numerous side effects. I started yet a new regimen of Tetracycline and Soolantra on 4/27/18, and my skin has improved 95%. The first 3 days, my skin purged with small white zits, then each day they were less noticeable. After a week, they were gone, and my skin was smooth. I'm experiencing redness and mild itching, but remember my skin is hypersensitive due to steroid use, so this may just be me. I will take red skin over 'frog skin.' The price was $160.00 with insurance, but it was worth it. I'm a little scared to write this review so soon, but I know how it feels to think that nothing will work. So far, it's amazing! Don't give up hope."

8 / 10
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13 Report
  • Lib...
  • August 24, 2016

For Rosacea "Used a sample tube for a month - cleared up bumps, and skin tone was more even. Also, my skin stopped itching. Got a prescription and will be using every day. Hoping I get to the point where I only need very little to no makeup to cover up the redness."

9 / 10
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13 Report
  • Mar...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 3, 2024

For Rosacea "After reading so many negative reviews, I was afraid to start using this cream. I bought it in February and started to use it at the end of May. And it definitely changed my life in a good way. Most importantly, I don’t get that redness and burning sensation anymore. In the first five days, I experienced itching and redness, couldn’t apply any other product, and felt the skin was very reactive but not necessarily worse than my worst times with rosacea. In the first 6 weeks, bumps showed up every day (2-3) and my skin was very oily. In my case, I have demodicosis associated with rosacea. I could see demodex with a zoom mirror (you can search on Instagram, there are many dermatologists that post photos on how Demodex could be seen on the skin when it's an overpopulation). I also removed any foundation, as I have oily skin and using foundation added more oil and fed the Demodex. I used a minimum of cosmetic products on my face: Metrocreme Ivatherm in the morning, mineral SPF when out in the sun, and washing with Avene cold cream."

10 / 10
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2 Report
  • Tan...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 10, 2018

For Rosacea "This was a miracle cream for me! After having done a round of dye laser, I was still red and inflamed. My dermo then prescribed Soolantra, and my face literally cooled down overnight. I didn't really have any big breakouts on my face, BUT my neck was blotchy, hot, and itchy for 10 days. The demodex were evidently living more on my neck than on my face. I have been using the cream nonstop now for 6 months and have no intention of stopping!"

10 / 10
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11 Report
  • Cup...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 7, 2019

For Rosacea "I started with symptoms in October of 2018. Went to my family doctor and didn’t diagnose me with rosacea. She gave me a topical antibiotic and an oral prescription for itching. She told me it was inflammation of capillaries. I noticed the antibiotic was not helping. Never thought it could be rosacea. I was finally diagnosed with this, this past Friday by a dermatologist. I am currently on day 6 using Soolantra plus an oral antibiotic. Haven’t seen any change so far. My flare-ups are on my face around my nose area. Breakout is not as bad as the ones I’ve read, but they are itchy and painful. I suffered from acne at a younger age, and it doesn’t seem fair for this to be happening in my late 60s. I’m staying positive and hope this will clear or improve in time with this medication. I will write another review in a month or so. Keeping my fingers crossed."

5 / 10
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11 Report
  • Ale...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 18, 2022

For Rosacea "I've been diagnosed with papulopustular rosacea in August 2021. My face was covered in red, inflamed pustules, and my skin was itching and burning. My dermatologist prescribed me Soolantra and said if there weren't changes after a month of using it, then she would add Doxycycline for 3 months. I was so desperate, so I didn't want to wait another month to see if there would be any results, so I took the antibiotic in parallel with Soolantra. After a month, my face cleared up by about 80%, and I continued with Soolantra and Doxy for 2 more months and then stopped both of them because my skin was fully cleared. After a month, my rosacea came back even worse. I started to apply Soolantra again without the Doxy this time, and now I'm in my 4th week since I started to use it again. So far, my skin is worse since the beginning, I don't know if it's the Demodex die-off or my skin is not reacting well to it, but I feel like Soolantra is not the cure for me. I will keep pushing with it though for a few weeks."

6 / 10
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4 Report
  • Son...
  • April 14, 2019

For Rosacea "Ok, so I have attempted to use Soolantra 3 times. Each time I use it, within a few hours the small few pimples I have (I’m on oral antibiotics to manage outbreaks) become irritated and burn/itch. In the past, I have stopped using the cream after a couple of days. This time, I’m on my 4th day, and I still feel a burn/itch sensation from the bumps. Is this normal? Should I push through??? It is clearly making it worse. Unlike a previous person, this cream cost me $60 a tube, 30g."

6 / 10
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6 Report
  • Tar...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 16, 2018

For Rosacea "I was prescribed Soolantra for a rash on my forehead and chin. I've taken it for a month now, and I've seen some improvement, but the rash is not completely gone. I did break out across my face after using it for 3 or 4 days. Little bumps all over my face that itched. I'd read about the side effects and that this usually went away, so I continued, and my face cleared after about a week. My skin is so soft now, I love the feel. Since the rash has not completely disappeared, I couldn't give it a 10."

8 / 10
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6 Report

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