Margaret's Story

Margaret Bobonich is a dedicated wife and mother. People who meet her now may be surprised to learn that she's been dealing with rosacea for almost 20 years.

Although Margaret has control over her rosacea now, she had to take preventative measures to manage the rosacea she had been living with since her mid-20s. After first realizing she had the condition, Margaret tried antibiotics and several topical treatments.

However, as a busy mom and nurse practitioner, she didn't have time to remember to take pills every day. She also felt oral medication was a life-long commitment, which didn't fit with her busy life. Margaret soon gave up because nothing she tried improved her condition for long, and she became self-conscious and embarrassed about her rosy face and the bumps and pimples caused by her rosacea.

In her 30s, Margaret again tackled her rosacea. Believing that it was something that could be cured, she used various topical products and antibiotics prescribed by her doctor. However, the topicals didn't work and getting accustomed to taking two pills a day wasn't ideal for her lifestyle. Disappointed and fed up with many failed attempts, Margaret adapted her lifestyle around the trigger factors of rosacea, such as not drinking red wine or caffeine and avoiding extreme hot or cold weather conditions. Margaret did not feel that her life was her own. She began using cover-up on her cheeks, and she wouldn't participate in family pictures at the beach.

Then, in the spring of 2006, after watching herself on Survivor and seeing her flushed, bumpy skin, Margaret decided to take control of her rosacea. She learned about MetroGel^® 1% from her dermatologist. She found its once-daily application to be appealing and convenient. For the first time, Margaret noticed a difference right away.

"The redness on my face finally started to go away. I also no longer have the bumps and pimples on my face caused by rosacea," says Bobonich. "My skin has not looked this good since I was in my 20s."

She finally learned that her rosacea could be managed by using MetroGel^® 1%. She also added Cetaphil^® cleanser and moisturizer to her skin care routine. Soon after beginning this skin care regimen, Margaret noticed that her skin looked much better and her rosacea symptoms greatly improved.

Margaret, a dermatology nurse practitioner, understood the magnitude of rosacea and the difficulties in treating its symptoms. She has seen the same signs in her own patients and recognized their frustration.

"I have patients come in with that same mind set I had of giving up because previous treatments had not worked. I have embraced the opportunities to talk with men and women across the country about the problem. I am doing very well on MetroGel^® 1%. I have been on it since the spring of 2006, and my rosacea has been controlled."

After finishing the show, Margaret continued her career in northeast Ohio as a dermatologic nurse practitioner. Inspired by her father, she has set out to help people who have no access to health care in Guatemala. Margaret leads nursing students from Case Western Reserve University to the country of Guatemala where they provide health care to families who have poor health and no resources.

Although a sufferer of rosacea, her commitment to adventure and fitness has not faltered. She believes in "living" by focusing on life choices for health and happiness.

*Results not typical and may vary.

The following adverse experiences have been reported with the topical use of metronidazole: burning, skin irritation, dryness, transient redness, metallic taste, tingling or numbness of extremities and nausea.

MetroGel^® 1% Topical Gel is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to metronidazole or any other ingredients in this formulation.

Important Safety Information