Understanding Rosacea

Rosacea (pronounced “roh-ZAY-sha”) is a skin condition seen most often in adults ages 30 to 60 that causes redness and raised, red bumps or pustules on the face. Symptoms can also include blushing or flushing, tiny broken blood vessels on the skin, and a red nose. While there is no cure for rosacea, there are a variety of treatment options!

Rosacea is caused by multiple reasons but overall is a mix of genetic and environmental factors. These factors can include excess sun exposure, older age, higher body mass index (BMI), smoking, hot or spicy foods, stress, and drinking alcohol, especially red wine. Having fair skin makes it more likely as well. It is believed that these factors may increase inflammation in the skin, which may also be partially related to microscopic mites we all have on our skin. Rosacea can also be triggered by winter weather or summer heat, with or without sun. Rosacea symptoms often cycle between well-controlled and flare-ups.

So the Common Triggers Include:

Sun

UV rays from the sun can worsen rosacea, causing redness, irritation, and visible blood vessels by increasing skin inflammation and impairing the skin’s protective barrier, making it more prone to damage.

Wind

Wind can intensify rosacea symptoms by drying and irritating the skin, leading to increased redness and sensitivity. This exposure can strip away moisture, disrupting the skin’s natural barrier, and making it more vulnerable to rosacea triggers and flare-ups.

Heat

Heat can provoke rosacea flare-ups by dilating blood vessels, resulting in heightened redness and swelling. This warmth can trigger excessive flushing and worsen the skin’s condition, making it more susceptible to the characteristic bumps and irritation associated with rosacea.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption can trigger rosacea symptoms by causing vasodilation, leading to increased facial redness and flushing. This effect can exacerbate the skin condition, promoting the appearance of rosacea’s hallmark bumps and irritation, making management more challenging.

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods can ignite rosacea flare-ups by stimulating blood flow to the skin’s surface, enhancing facial redness and swelling. This reaction can accentuate rosacea’s visible symptoms, contributing to discomfort and the potential worsening of the skin’s condition.

Harsh Products

Harsh skincare products can aggravate rosacea by irritating and stripping the skin of its natural oils, leading to increased redness, burning, and sensitivity. This irritation disrupts the skin’s protective barrier, making it more prone to rosacea flare-ups and exacerbating existing symptoms.

Since our genetics cannot be altered, it is important to focus on lifestyle modifications while treating the disease. All patients with rosacea can benefit from limiting sun exposure, being very vigilant with sunscreen and hats, limiting alcohol intake, not smoking (or vaping), consuming a healthy diet, and avoiding foods that seem to trigger flares. Limiting triggers is important not only to prevent flare-ups but also to prevent worsening of the condition in the future. This is important because often rosacea will otherwise worsen over time. It is also important to avoid skincare products that may sting or burn, so as not to cause more inflammation in the skin.

Rosacea can also affect the eyes, and it is then called “ocular rosacea.” Symptoms can include red, irritated eyes or feeling like your eyes have sand in them. It is important to know if you have this as it is best to start a regimen for the eyes to prevent flares and worsening as well.