How to Keep Your Rosacea at Bay This Summer

Now that the days are getting warmer and longer, the urge to get outside is stronger than ever for millions of people. However, if you struggle with skin conditions that affect your appearance, you may be less likely to want to show the world these problems.

One such condition, rosacea, affects 16 million people in the US and up to 415 million people globally, resulting in facial redness and other unpleasant skin impacts during outbreaks.

In New York City, Dr. Javier Zelaya and his experienced medical staff at Skinworks Dermatology help patients manage rosacea and other skin conditions so they can enjoy all that summer has to offer.

Understanding rosacea 

Rosacea is similar to more well-known illnesses, such as acne. It’s a lifelong condition that appears in flare-ups, which often start occurring after age 30, and that most commonly affects women.

This inflammatory skin condition often causes problems for the face, but it can also affect your eyes, neck, chest, chin, and scalp. 

There are various types of rosacea, including:

• Vascular, characterized by visible blood vessels
• Papulopustular, shows pimples on skin similar to acne, sometimes pus-filled
• Phymatous, causes skin to thicken; it can make the nose look bulbous (rhinophyma)
• Ocular, causes watery and bloodshot eyes, light sensitivity, and irritation

Even within rosacea types, symptoms can vary from person to person.

Triggers that cause flare-ups

Rosacea outbreaks have many triggers, and in spring and summer, the weather itself may be one. One survey suggests that hot weather, humidity, and sun exposure are common reasons people experience rosacea symptoms, making it difficult to enjoy the outdoors.

Other triggers include emotional stress, wind, strenuous exercise, alcohol, spicy foods, hot baths, some cosmetic products and skin care products, and certain medications.

Ways to manage your rosacea this summer

Reducing your exposure to flare-up triggers is essential to reducing the impact of the condition on your quality of life. Start by identifying your triggers, noting when symptoms appear and what triggers were present at the time. 

Next, take precautions to lower the chances of encountering those triggers.

In the case of weather-related triggers, you can lower the risk of rosacea outbreaks by staying indoors in extremely hot weather, using broad-spectrum sunscreen when you do go out, and wearing wide-brimmed hats to block direct sunlight.

Also, take cool baths and be careful about the cosmetics and skin creams you use. Managing stress has many health benefits, including reducing rosacea flare-ups.

Don’t let rosacea spoil your spring and summer. To talk with Dr. Zelaya about how to keep your rosacea at bay, call the Skinworks Dermatology office in Maspeth, Chelsea, or Park Slope, or request your appointment online today.