What Are the Biggest Triggers of Rosacea?

Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects over 14 million Americans every year. At Westover Hills Dermatology in San Antonio, TX, we understand how frustrating it can be to experience flare-ups seemingly out of nowhere. While it most commonly affects people of Scandinavian or Celtic ancestry who are between the ages of 30 and 50, it can happen to anyone. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this condition, like what usually triggers a flare-up.

What Are the Biggest Triggers of Rosacea?

The three biggest rosacea triggers are sun exposure, emotional stress, and hot weather. Other significant triggers include wind, cold weather, heavy exercise, and alcohol consumption.

How Can I Reduce My Risk of a Flare-Up?

A dermatologist can help you identify the factors in your life that trigger a flare-up. Until this is nailed down, it’s hard to give very good advice on how to avoid a flare-up. However, there is a very good chance that you will experience flare-ups less frequently if you protect your skin from the sun, wind, and cold. Keeping your exercise intensity moderate and limiting yourself to one or two alcoholic beverages nightly will also reduce your risk of a flare-up.

Minimize UV Exposure

Of 1,000 people surveyed by the National Rosacea Society, 810 people reported flare-ups triggered by sun exposure. Therefore, it’s a good idea to minimize your exposure to sunlight between 9 AM and 3 PM or 10 AM and 4 PM, depending on the time of year. Also, you should try to stay out of the sun when there is a UV index of at least 8. When sun exposure is unavoidable, wear a brimmed hat or use an umbrella to prevent direct exposure.

Also, liberally apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours. If you plan to sweat, use a water-resistant sunscreen. Just remember to reapply every 80 minutes. Also, bear in mind that heat or heavy exercise can also trigger a flare-up.

Minimize Emotional Stress

The aforementioned survey also revealed that 790 out of the 1,000 people surveyed had flare-ups triggered by emotional stress. While you can’t eliminate stress from your life, you can significantly reduce your risk of a flare-up by practicing mindfulness. If you find yourself in a stressful situation, get up and walk away if you can. If you can’t, ground yourself.

Different grounding techniques work for different people. One common grounding technique is to identify five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Another common grounding technique is to use box breathing to help you focus on your breath. This involves breathing in for four seconds, holding your breath for four seconds, exhaling for four seconds, and not inhaling for four seconds.

Minimize Alcohol Consumption

While alcohol may seem like a good stress reliever, you might want to think carefully about what, and how much, you drink. Beverages you should consider avoiding include vodka, gin, bourbon, beer, and red wine. These are known to cause flare-ups. If you drink, you may want to drink a glass of white wine or two.

To drastically reduce the likelihood of a flare-up, it is also important that you do not drink an excessive amount of alcohol. Men who are 65 or younger can have two units of alcohol per day. Men who are over the age of 65 and women should limit themselves to no more than one unit of alcohol per day.

Minimize Vigorous Exercise

Vigorous exercise is the fifth-most common flare-up trigger, affecting 560 out of the 1,000 people surveyed. Therefore, you will probably have fewer flare-ups if you don’t exercise vigorously very often. The reason vigorous exercise triggers flare-ups in over half of rosacea sufferers is that exercise increases your pulse. This increases blood flow to the skin, causing flushing.

If you suspect it’s the intensity of your workouts triggering your flare-ups, consider reducing the intensity of your exercise. Also, consider exercising in a cool environment. Remember, both cold and hot environments can trigger a flare-up.

Should I See a Dermatologist About My Condition?

Yes, you should consult with a dermatologist if you suffer from this condition. At first, you may only feel self-conscious that you look like you’re always blushing. However, if you don’t get treatment, eventually, you can end up with semi-permanent scarring. Other potential complications of leaving this condition untreated include enlarged pores, coarse skin, and pus-filled pimples. It’s also possible that the capillaries in your face will break.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today

The top three rosacea triggers are sun exposure, emotional stress, and hot weather. Flare-ups can also be triggered by such factors as wind, cold weather, heavy exercise, and alcohol consumption. A dermatologist can help you nail down what is triggering your flare-ups and put together a treatment plan that works for you. Contact us now at Westover Hills Dermatology in San Antonio, TX to schedule an appointment and find out how we can help you treat your condition.