I’m 73 years old and had my first flare in 2020 right at the onset of the epidemic. I was covered in bumps and open pustules from my eyes down. The only thing that took the pustules away was 200 mg of doxycycline daily. I did not want to continue on with a maintenance dose of antibiotics so the doctor prescribed azelaic acid. It is prescription and quite inexpensive. I pay about seven dollars for a tube that lasts at least a year. It does sting a little upon application, especially if your flare is active. I think if I had another bad flare, I would give in to the antibiotics until the open sore areas were healed before I used azelaic. I think using it on open pustules would be pretty uncomfortable. I can say it works keeping the skin clear. Good luck!