From the Research
Intravenous (IV) iron therapy is generally not known to directly cause or worsen rosacea, though individual reactions can vary. If you have rosacea and need IV iron for iron deficiency anemia, you can typically proceed with treatment while monitoring your skin condition. Common IV iron preparations include iron sucrose (Venofer), ferric carboxymaltose (Injectafer), and iron dextran, administered in hospital settings under medical supervision 1. During treatment, maintain your regular rosacea management routine, which might include topical metronidazole, azelaic acid, or oral medications like doxycycline, as recommended by recent reviews on rosacea management 2, 3.
Some key points to consider when managing rosacea include:
- Avoiding trigger factors and proper skin care
- Using topical medications as one of the first-line choices for patients with erythematous and mild to severe papulopustular rosacea 4
- Considering combination therapy for mixed forms of characteristic rosacea symptoms
- Monitoring for potential skin flare-ups after iron infusion and informing your healthcare provider if any occur
It's essential to note that the connection between iron and rosacea is not well-established scientifically, though iron is involved in inflammatory processes throughout the body 2. Most patients with both conditions can successfully manage them simultaneously without significant interaction between treatments. However, individual reactions can vary, and rare cases of flushing or skin reactions may occur after iron infusion 1.