Rhofade and Itching: What Users Say

• Do...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2022

For Rosacea "To start off, I didn't really mind my rosacea because it's so light. Some days you would see it a little more, but it was never bad. Went to the derm to get recommendations to wash and lotion that will prevent any reactions. The doctor gave me this as a sample, along with a sensitive cleanser and lotion. First day, nothing, second day, put it on in the morning at 7 a.m., by 4 p.m., one side of my cheek was on fire. Red and looked like I was having an allergic reaction. I have not used it again, but currently, on day three, my cheek looks bad, small whitehead pimples, and it's itchy and hot to touch. I regret not looking up reviews, but I trust my freakin' doctor. I had made a follow-up, but I canceled it because I would have gone off on him for not telling me that it could give me this reaction. I had mentioned that I was already a person with sensitive skin. Please be aware and do not use. Does anyone know about how long the reaction stays for?"

• Per...
• March 17, 2019

For Rosacea "Horrible. Was prescribed this by a dermatologist for mild rosacea, without any warning about possible side effects. I used this in conjunction with Plexion daily wash. Used no other facial soaps at all. Only other skin regimen was to use the recommended neutral moisturizers. Within 5 days of using Rhofade, the redness had become much worse. Before treatment, I just had a smooth, simple blush. After 5 days of this 'medicine,' my skin had become much more red, over much more area. Instead of smooth slight red, it's bright red and blotchy, with bumps and breakouts forming. Dry and rough and yet looks very shiny. Itching became so bad that I could not sleep (I did resist the urge to scratch). I stopped the meds 2 days ago, but the symptoms persist. With so many negative reports here, how did this medicine pass approval? The studies claim only very low (like 2%) have adverse reactions. What is the truth here? How long will it take to recover? Or is the damage permanent?"

• PKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2018

For Rosacea "DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT!!!! I was prescribed Rhofade for mild rosacea and facial redness. I was very open-minded and excited to try this product. After 4 days of use, my face has broken out with pustules, severe inflammation, and is fire engine red. It is itchy and painful at the same time. Nothing seems to give me relief. Just in time for Christmas too. I am absolutely furious this product is on the market and being recommended."

• gme...
• November 17, 2017

For Rosacea "This is a horrible product and should be recalled. I had a very minor rosacea problem with two patches of redness on my cheeks. I used this for one week and it worked fine, but then the second week it made my face a living hell with bumps and itching. The area infected increased to three times the size. I stopped using it and am now using something different from a different doctor. DO NOT USE IT!!!"

• ble...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2019

For Rosacea "Please do a spot test with this! Do not use it over your entire face to start! Absolutely terrible. I used it twice and had the most terrible rebound redness. Burning, stinging, itching, you name it! It turned my face so red that I almost turned purple/red. Thankfully, I only tested it on one tiny part of my face. The rash went away after I went to sleep, so hopefully, it will stay that way."

• Anonymous
• March 8, 2022

For Rosacea "Yeah, please don’t use this stuff! I went in to a dermatologist for problems on my left cheek. He gave me faith that Rhofade used with Soolantra would improve everything drastically. First day I used Rhofade, it helped with the redness. But continuing use, 3 days later, my face became angry, inflamed, my other cheek (which had no problems to begin with) now looks as bad as the other. Constant itching, burning, and tingling. I want to claw my face off! Not to mention I have a welt by my upper cheekbone. I went and got some aloe, so we will see if that helps cool everything. But, yoooooo! PLEASE DON’T USE THIS!"

• Bek...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

For Rosacea "I had very mild redness on my cheeks, no bumps, just a very rare small pimple. I received this from my derm as a sample, and she told me to use it twice a day. At first, it seemed as if the redness was better, but I noticed that I would wake up with red, itchy eyes. I did not make the connection between the Rhofade and my eyes, I just thought it was something else. On day four or five, I was waking up with a beet red face and eyes. Bumps erupted on my cheeks, and my face and eyes burned. I realized it must be the Rhofade and immediately discontinued. Then I went online and saw all of these similar experiences. I am concerned whether this will be permanent damage and cannot seem to get any clear info regarding this anywhere. This drug should be taken off the market."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2023

For Rosacea "Do not use this product! My rosacea was doing well with laser treatment, but I was given this product to use as an adjunct. My entire face broke out in a random rash as well as hives. I tried it again after 2 months, and the same thing happened. I don't know why doctors dispense this medication. I do have sensitive skin, but never expected anything like this to happen. I'm cleansing with hypoallergenic soap/cream and gentle astringent-hoping for the best. Even 2.5 percent hydrocortisone couldn't stop the intense itching. I mean, this is our faces we're talking about here."

• Smi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2018

For Rosacea "The first day I used it, my skin looked better. The second day, it started burning, itching, turning (tomato) red, swelling. I felt like bugs were crawling on my face. I would not recommend anyone to get this medication. My face looks worse than it ever did. If you are going to try it, ask for a sample before you pay the high price it costs."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2023

For Rosacea "I was prescribed Rhofade for the flushing caused by my rosacea. Previously, I had smooth skin with no bumps, just redness. However, after using this medication for three days, my face feels like it's on fire. It has turned blood red, itches intensely, and I now have little bumps on both cheeks. This medication is absolutely horrible. I do not believe the extremely low percentage they claim for allergic reactions. Based on what I've read, the actual percentage must be much higher than what is disclosed to the public. I had high hopes that Rhofade would eliminate the rosy cheeks I had, but instead, I now look like my face has been burned. I strongly advise against using this medication; you will regret it."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2018

For Rosacea "I saw an ad for Rhofade and asked my derm for a sample. Contains oxymetazoline, which used to be the vasoconstrictor ingredient in Visine eye drops, so it made sense to me. Didn't see much effect for a couple of weeks; then, all of a sudden, all redness broke loose! My face turned bright red, was covered with pustules, and itched like mad. It took weeks of coating my face with hydrocortisone to resolve."

• Zah...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2018

For Rosacea "The first day I used Rhofade, it seemed to be a miracle worker, the second day I noticed little bumps appearing on my skin. The third day my cheeks became extremely itchy, and I felt like my face was on fire! My face looks like it is completely sunburned. I went to the doctor with a mild case of rosacea, and now my face looks 100x worse."