Rosacea: 8 Triggers to Avoid
Sep 22, 2017
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Rosacea is a skin condition where the blood vessels in the face dilate which gives the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead a flushed appearance. Rosacea is a common skin disease that I see in my clinic multiple times daily. The redness can slowly spread...
Rosacea is a skin condition where the blood vessels in the face dilate which gives the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead a flushed appearance. Rosacea is a common skin disease that I see in my clinic multiple times daily. The redness can slowly spread beyond the face and can affect the ears, chest, and back.
4 Types of Rosacea
- Papulopustular Rosacea: Redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts
- Phymatous Rosacea: Bump-like texture and skin thickening.
- Erythrotelangiectatic Rosacea: Redness, flushing, and visible vessels
- Ocular Rosacea: Eyes are red and swollen, gritty sensation in eyes.
Avoiding Rosacea Triggers
You’ve probably noticed that certain foods, temperatures, emotion, activities, etc. can trigger your rosacea to flare up. Here are some common triggers that you can avoid:
1. Drinks: Alcohol, Coffee, Tea (Hot).
Red wine and white wine, in particular, have the highest percentages of triggering a flare-up. You may also want to lower the temperature of your hot drinks or limit the consumption.
2. Spicy Foods:
hot peppers, sausage, and Cajun- style foods.
3. Extreme Weather:
Always bundle up and cover your face with a scarf when walking around in cold weather. This also applies to windy weather.
4. The Sun:
The sun can cause the skin to become red, bumpy, and even itchy. Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunscreen to protect your skin.
5. Cosmetics:
It’s best to avoid products that are full of fragrance, oil, and alcohol. Stick to gentle soaps and avoid harsh scrubs.
6. Smoking:
According to the National Rosacea Society, nicotine can cause rosacea as it forms new blood vessels under the skin.
7. Emotions: Stress/Anxiety.
It’s easier said than done, but it is best to live a lifestyle with minimal stress, stay well rested and avoid stimulants.
8. Exercise:
Unfortunately, raising your body temperature can trigger a flare- but you should still be physically active. Try switching to shorter, less intense workouts more frequently.
Keep in mind that not all of these things will trigger your rosacea and each individual is different. It’s hard to avoid all triggers all the time, but if you monitor certain patterns that cause flare-ups, you can get a better understanding of your rosacea.