I have scaled up over 5 weeks and on second week dose of 6mg. Both cheeks have severe red small dot blotches not raised or acne like almost like Rosacea. I had clear and good skin all my life. Its looking horrendous. Is this normal, will it get worse or does this mean the dose is too high. Any advice please?
Do you take doxycycline?
No, should I be. It doesn’t look like acne or bacterial.
Yeah, it also helps keep your skin looking young and fresh. Doxycycline is a potent MMP inhibitor.
This certainly is not a common reaction. We see small rashes sometimes (or acne as others have reported).
Did you experience this at all at the lower doses, or only at the 6mg dose? It may be too high a dose for you?
Yes, I experience this as well, even at lower doses (4mg fortnightly). I initially thought it was acne, but now I believe it more closely resembles papulopustular rosacea, which causes small acne-like pustules and redness on my cheeks. I also did not have a history of rosacea before I started using rapamycin. The problem goes away when I stop using it.
Thankfully, I can manage it well with 20% azelaic acid cream. I apply it to areas prone to breakouts before dosing and continue for a few days afterward.