10 common things that trigger Acne Rosacea

Have you ever noticed people with permanent rosy cheeks? Well! This ‘flush and blush’ on their face could be a common skin condition, known as Acne Rosacea. 

Rosacea is a chronic and inflammatory skin condition causing persistent redness on the face. It usually causes blushing and flushing of cheeks, nose, chin or forehead. It is often accompanied with small, red solid bumps or pus-filled pimples. There may also be a burning or stinging sensation on the face along with itchiness and tightness. About half of the people who have rosacea also experience eye dryness, irritation and swollen, reddened eyelids.

Rosacea makes your skin extremely sensitive and therefore it is very important to keep in mind what factors can trigger your skin condition. There are a variety of triggers that may make rosacea worse.

Below given are 10 common rosacea triggers and what you can do to avoid them:

Environmental triggers

• Sun: Sun protection, especially for the face, is a must for rosacea. Wear an SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum sunscreen when out in the sun. Limit sun exposure, wear protective clothing, large sunglasses and hats and avoid peak hours for ultraviolet radiation
• Cold weather: Dry, cold air is harsh on the skin and triggers flare-ups and flushing. When outdoors in winter, protect the face from the cold and wind with scarves and pull up jacket collars
• Hot indoor environments: Warm, crowded places can easily trigger a rosacea breakout. If you are at a social function, sip a cold non-alcoholic drink and chew on small ice chips

Food triggers

• Alcohol - Avoid or minimize alcohol as this is a common trigger. Red wine is a frequently reported culprit
• Spicy food - Curries and foods, dressings or sauces made with chillies and hot or peppery spices or flavourings should be avoided or minimized
• Hot drinks - Very hot drinks are a sure way to feel hot and set off flushing. Reducing the temperature of hot drinks will help

Lifestyle triggers

• Stress - Stress is a major cause of rosacea flare-ups. Create ways to reduce stress in your life such as relaxation techniques and problem solving
• Exercise - Heavy exercise can easily trigger rosacea symptoms. Sipping ice water helps. Wash your face with cool water immediately after exercise
• Hot baths - Hot baths, showers, saunas or hot tubs can easily bring on flushing. Keep bath and shower water at a moderate temperature
• Medications - Long term use of highly potent topical steroids on affected areas may cause rosacea flare-ups. Some drugs such as niacin, a cholesterol treatment, can cause flushing. Consult your doctor regarding your medications

Once you know what’s triggering your rosacea flares, taking action can help you avoid those triggers. But please keep in mind that rosacea triggers differ from person to person. So, for example, if cold weather is triggering rosacea for you, not necessary, it will affect your friend also. Therefore, it is advisable to seek medical help if you are not able to find out the root cause of rosacea. You can also take help of homeopathy for treating rosacea, it treats your skin problems from the root and gives you a holistic, safe, and long-lasting solution.