Azelaic acid and asthma

[CraftyLego]

Hi, I have been prescribed a skin treatment for my rosacea that includes Azelaic acid. I have read that it could worsen my asthma, which is already severe. Has anyone any experience of azelaic acid? Thanks

[Poobah]

My doctor wouldn't prescribe this for my rosacea and I put up with awful skin for years. Then my consultant prescribed Azithromycin for my asthma and one of the brilliant side effects was the complete irradication of my rosecea, permanently (5 years clear). Previous courses of antibiotics, prescribed for chest infections, had given me temporary relief but after a couple of weeks the redness and angry pimples would return.

I have non-eosinophilic asthma and Prednisolone doesn't suit me, and that's why my consultant tried Azithromycin. Apparently there are studies into why Azithromycin is effective for roseacea. But whether your doctor would prescribe it, as it's a macrolide antibiotic, is another matter, but there's no harm in discussing it with them. It may be that they'll consider referring you to dermatology rather than prescribe a macrolide.

[CraftyLego in reply to Poobah]

i am so pleased for you that your asthma treatment has cured your rosacea. We don't normally get benefits from asthma so that is very good to hear. I've been on the Azelaic acid for almost three weeks. The doctor has said to keep a close eye on my peak flow readings.

[Poobah in reply to CraftyLego]

I do hope the Azelaic Acid works for you, and soon. I've read that you should see a difference in 2 months and hopefully it won't affect your asthma. All the best.

[CraftyLego in reply to Poobah]

Thanks Poobah. It's already calming down but I'm very paranoid about my asthma. Fingers crossed 🤞

[Keisha192001]

I use a skin product that has Azelaic acid in it and I don’t find that it affects my asthma at all and I’ve used it on and off for a couple of years.

[CraftyLego in reply to Keisha192001]

Thanks Keisha. My asthma is flaring up but I don't know whether it's the covid/flu boosters that I had on the 17th, the azelaic acid or a virus. The asthma nurse has recommended that I stop using the Azelaic acid for a few days. That's excellent that it hasn't affected you. I'm really glad for you.

[Keisha192001 in reply to CraftyLego]

I’ve been the same actually. Was a bit ill but fine had my covid booster and now just finished 2 short courses of pred and finishing up antibiotics. I didn’t actually know that azelaic acid impacted asthma before this and I’ve just restarted using it. But I’m 99% sure I know where I caught this infection from being a paeds nursing student

[CraftyLego in reply to Keisha192001]

Hi Keisha, I'm sorry to hear that you've ended up on steroids and antibiotics. I'm full of a cold now too. It's not easy having asthma is it! I hope that you're feeling better. I'm staying off the azelaic acid. I really think that it affected me. The asthma nurse is trying to get me a referral with the respiratory specialist.

[Keisha192001 in reply to CraftyLego]

yeah I’m seeing a respiratory consultant currently who has decided after all that that it’s perfect time to cut my steroid inhaler dose in half 🙃 it’s made me incredibly exhausted and the worst headaches. Hoping they address all of this stuff promptly this is not fun.

Hope you get your referral to respiratory soon and that you’re on the up 🥰

[CraftyLego in reply to Keisha192001]

Hi Keisha, i hope that the reduced steroid dose is ok for you. I'm still waiting for my appointment. I got a letter saying that they will decide if I can have one or be sent back to the GP. I'm still recovering from the cold.it just always seems to go straight for my chest. What inhaler are you on now

[Keisha192001 in reply to CraftyLego]

sorry I haven’t been on in a while. I’m on Fostair 100/6 (2 puffs twice a day). Luckily my referral was accepted really quickly so hopefully you have the same experience. I’ve had a mountain of blood tests and had an X-ray and now waiting for lung function tests in December so hopefully I get some answers.

[CraftyLego in reply to Keisha192001]

I'm really pleased for you Keisha. Sadly, I am still waiting to know if they will see me. They are supposed to let me know by the 30th Nov. I hope so as the asthma nurse has said that my never ending mucus isn't normal. I think that a lot of it is my sinuses. Let me know how you get on with the lung function tests. Good luck