Learn the Mystery Triggers Causing Your Rosacea Flare-Ups

Some 16 million Americans suffer from rosacea, a chronic but treatable inflammatory skin condition characterized by flushing or redness on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead. Symptoms come and go and vary in severity; In some cases, they’re merely bothersome. Other times, patients’ faces are overtaken by redness, visible blood vessels, and bumps. 

The severity of symptoms typically worsens after each flare-up. 

There's no cure for rosacea, but learning and avoiding your triggers along with treatment can control and reduce flare-ups.

At Orange Coast Dermatology in Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo, California, our experts understand rosacea well and have pulled together the following tips for managing yours.

Signs of rosacea

Along with facial redness and the appearance of small blood vessels on your nose and cheeks, symptoms include: 

• pimples that resemble acne
• skin feeling hot and tender

• dry, irritated, swollen eyes and swollen eyelids
• an enlarged nose (more common in men)

Who develops rosacea?

Rosacea can affect anyone. But it's most common among middle-aged women who have fair skin. There may well be a genetic component too. People with rosacea are four times more likely to have a family history of the disorder than those without the condition.

Common rosacea triggers

The triggers that ignite rosacea flare-ups differ between patients. Even so, there are common 

Instigators. These include:

• Sun exposure
• Alcohol
• Hot beverages
• Spicy foods
• Stress
• Facial products (creams, lotions, makeup, etc.)
• Temperature and other weather changes
• Exercise
• Certain medications

Track your triggers

To learn your triggers so you can avoid them, keep a rosacea diary. Your diary should include:

• what you ate
• the weather/temperature
• your activity
• emotional state

Note too, the onset of your symptoms and their severity. Keeping a diary will enable you to discover trends that you can discuss with your physician.

Take action

Once you and your physician uncover your triggers, you’ll set up a plan to avoid them. That may mean staying in the shade during the peak sunshine hours or steering clear of Jalapeño peppers. 

Your management plan will likely also involve one or more of the following, prescription medications, topical creams, and laser therapy.

To get started on discovering your unique triggers and preventing flare-ups, call our office or schedule a consultation online today.