Ivermectin Is an Efficient Treatment for Rosacea

Smartphone technology can support monitoring of rosacea-associated signs and symptoms as demonstrated by confirming ivermectin’s success in treating rosacea-associated papules and pustules along with erythema and invisible skin symptoms, according to a study published in Dermatologic Therapy.

Researchers aimed to investigate ivermectin treatment in rosacea and how novel smartphone technology can support monitoring rosacea-associated signs and symptoms in an open monocentric pilot study. A total of 25 Caucasian patients who had moderate to severe rosacea with erythema, less than 10 papules and/or pustules, and ≥15 Demodex mites/cm2 were included in the study. Patients applied 1 g of ivermectin 1% cream once daily for ≥16 weeks. Skin symptoms were recorded at baseline, week 8, and ≥16 weeks. Clinician erythema assessment (CEA) and patient self-assessment (PSA) determined the grade of erythema, and a questionnaire was used to determine the severity of invisible skin symptoms, such as stinging/burning, dryness, and itching. Scarletred Vision was used to quantify erythema and skin texture.

At ≥16 weeks, stinging and/or burning, dryness (P < .0001), and itching (P < .001) were reduced with ivermectin 1% cream. CEA and PSA results of erythema and skin roughness improvement were confirmed using Scarletred Vision.

“Treatment with ivermectin 1% cream is efficient in treating not only rosacea-associated papules and pustules but also erythema and invisible skin symptoms,” concluded the study authors.

Reference
Schaller M, Riel S, Bashur R, Kurup N, Schnidar H, Fehrenbacher B. Ivermectin treatment in rosacea: how novel smartphone technology can support monitoring rosacea-associated signs and symptoms. Dermatol Ther. Published online: September 30, 2022. doi:10.1111/dth.15869