What Is Triggering My Rosacea?

It’s human nature to get a little red in the face sometimes. It’s normal to blush when you’re embarrassed or a little flushed after exercise, but if you’re red-faced all the time, you may have rosacea—a chronic skin condition that causes redness, particularly on the nose, cheeks, and forehead.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition affecting more than 14 million Americans and 415 million people worldwide. Depending on the person, it may cause redness, thickening of the skin, acne, and eye irritations, which will all take place in flare-ups that may be aggravated by certain triggers.

Rosacea triggers and exact symptoms vary from patient to patient; however, some more common triggers can cause irritation.

Rosacea Triggers

Here are the most common triggers of rosacea, as determined by the National Rosacea Society:

Sun Exposure and Weather

The sun is the leading cause of rosacea flare-ups since many people with rosacea have visible blood vessels close to their skin. UV exposure and heat from the sun can contribute to this and lead to further dilated blood vessels.

Make an effort to protect yourself from the sun and stay inside during peak sun hours if the sun is your trigger. Use proper sun protection daily, and keep the temperature of your shower lukewarm rather than hot.

Cold weather can also cause flare-ups, so wear a hat and scarf in the fall and winter to protect your face from any cold and windy conditions.

Diet

Rosacea affects the skin, so many people assume external triggers are always to blame. However, what you put inside your body can also cause rosacea flare-ups.

For example, alcohol, dairy products, and spicy foods have all been linked to rosacea flare-ups. Additionally, spicy and hot foods may raise your body’s temperature and make you flush. To identify which dietary triggers are causing your skin irritation, you should keep a diary of what you eat and when any flare-ups occur.

Stress

Stress can take a toll on anybody, leading to several health conditions, including depression, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity—but it can also trigger a rosacea flare-up. You cannot completely eliminate stress from your life, but you can manage it by engaging in mindfulness practices such as yoga and meditation.

Cosmetics

There are many over-the-counter cosmetics and skincare products that contain irritating ingredients that may aggravate rosacea. Keep your skin looking and feeling its best by consulting your dermatologist about the products and makeup you can use on your skin.

High-Intensity Workouts

Exercise is good for you; no one will dispute that. However, it’s also one of the top five triggers for rosacea. When people exercise vigorously, their bodies heat up, resulting in facial redness that can last for days.

Don’t let this stop you from exercising, though. Consider cooler workout times and low-impact exercises, and monitor your exertion levels.

Treating Rosacea in Zachary, Louisiana

Renaissance Dermatology remains at the cutting edge of technology and cosmetic dermatology developments to treat rosacea. To identify possible triggers, your dermatologist will evaluate your health and lifestyle, determine any medications that could be dilating your blood vessels, and assess any products that might cause irritation.

Rosacea has no cure, but you can manage it in many ways to reduce its impact on your daily life. If you suffer from rosacea or other clinical skin conditions, Renaissance Dermatology can help you. Make an appointment with a member of our physician team today.