Common Rosacea Triggers to Avoid

Living with rosacea, you’ve probably noticed that certain triggers lead to flare-ups — triggers like foods, emotions, weather, or skin care products. In addition to medical therapies and treatments, once you identify your triggers, you can make lifestyle changes to avoid things and circumstances that aggravate your condition and worsen your symptoms. 

At Skinworks Dermatology, with convenient New York City locations in Maspeth, Chelsea, and Park Slope, Dr. Javier Zelaya and the dermatology team expertly help you identify your unique rosacea triggers and recommend effective treatments. Although everyone experiences rosacea differently, this blog discusses some of the most common rosacea triggers to be aware of so you can reduce flare-ups and manage symptoms more effectively. 

Categories of rosacea triggers

Common rosacea triggers can be divided into several different categories, including:

• Foods and beverages
• Activities
• Emotions
• Weather conditions
• Medical conditions
• Medications 
• Skin care products

A survey by the National Rosacea Society found that of more than 1,000 rosacea patients, people shared some common factors that led to flare-ups and symptoms. The most common rosacea trigger, one that affected 81% of patients surveyed, was sun exposure. The next was emotional stress for 79% of people that participated in the survey, followed by hot weather for 75% of participants. 

The same survey discovered that more than 50% of people with rosacea experience flare-ups from wind, exercise, alcohol consumption, and taking hot baths. Spicy foods, humidity, and cosmetic products were also among the list of common rosacea triggers. 

How to identify your triggers

There are several things you can do to identify your rosacea triggers. The National Rosacea Society recommends keeping a diary of the foods you eat and any symptoms you experience as a result. Also, it’s a good idea to note activities, weather, and other conditions that occur just before a rosacea flare-up, or as soon as you notice that your symptoms — flushed facial skin, visible blood vessels, and red acne-like bumps — have gotten worse.

Keeping a journal or record of when you have flare-ups along with foods, environmental conditions, and activities that make symptoms worse can help you learn which triggers to avoid. For example, if you’re among the majority of rosacea sufferers who experience a flare-up when you’re outside, be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat to shield your face from the sun. You may need to try out a few sunscreens to make sure the product doesn’t irritate your skin, or ask Dr. Zelaya which sunscreens he recommends for his patients with rosacea. 

A combination of therapies may be the ideal solution

Depending on the severity of your condition, simply avoiding triggers may not provide the level of relief you need, but combined with anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and laser and light therapies, you can reduce the number of flare-ups and better manage your condition. Dr. Zelaya customizes a treatment plan based on your individual needs so you can live life without always focusing on rosacea. He has the experience to help you keep your skin clear and comfortable long term. 

Identifying your triggers is the first step toward effective rosacea management. If you’ve tried to reduce symptoms and flare-ups on your own, but you’re still dealing with more facial redness and irritation than you’d like, the team at Skinworks Dermatology is here to help. 

Give us a call at the New York City location that’s most convenient for you, or request an appointment online today.