Azelex is a United States brand name of azelaic acid, a prescription medication used in the treatment of acne that may range from mild to moderate. Azelex is a topical cream that functions by keeping your pores open and clear, as well as preventing bacterials growth that can cause acne. The medication, the Mayo Clinic states, also may be used by women who take oral contraceptives or those who are pregnant and experience facial discoloration.
Burning
When you use the Azelex cream, you may experience a sensation of burning on your skin. This may be accompanied by or separate from tingling and stinging sensations. Tingling may feel like a limb that has become numb and starts to regain feeling. Stinging and burning are reactions to the medication, too. All of these should be mild and temporary, disappearing as you use Azelex cream more often. The Mayo Clinic does not give a specific common dose for Azelex, but states a small portion of cream is applied twice per day and rubbed into the skin. Irritation may be decreased by using it once per day and not every day, but the dose should be at your physician's orders.
Dryness
The point of using Azelex cream is to remove materials from your skin that cause acne. This, however, can have the side effect of making your skin feel very dry. This can lead to another common side effect in which your skin peels. Applying moisturizing lotions may counteract the medical benefit of using Azelex, so ask your doctor if this is a good idea. In any event, the dryness should vanish upon further use of the medicine.
Other Skin Side Effects
When you begin to use azelaic acid you also may experience some other common but temporary side effects on your skin. One of these is called medically erythema, which is inflammation that causes your skin to redden, RxList.com states. Contact dermatitis also is a frequent temporary side effect of Azelex. It is a condition of the skin caused because a substance---in this case azelaic acid---is irritating to it. The medication also may make your skin itch.
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