Identifying and avoiding rosacea triggers

Rosacea is a common skin condition afflicting more than sixteen million men and women. For a long time, it was poorly understood, and patients had few options. Today we have a variety of medical treatments available, including topical treatments, oral antibiotics, and laser therapy. These techniques can help bring active flares under control and reduce or eliminate lingering symptoms such as broken vessels or thickened skin. However, for prevention, the most important technique is not a medical procedure at all. It is a matter of changing your habits to avoid the conditions that trigger flares.

How to identify triggers

Your rosacea, and your triggers, are not the same as anyone else’s are. There are several sub-classifications of rosacea, and it affects each person a little differently. Identifying your triggers is an individual process, and it can be easier said than done. You may wish to start a “diary” chronicling your flares, and your exposure to potential triggers. This will allow you to see what is, and isn’t, aggravating your condition.

Common rosacea triggers

Anything from food to emotions or environmental conditions can trigger rosacea. Naturally, you don’t want to list everything you do, feel, consume, or encounter every minute of every day. The best place to start is by tracking the most likely triggers. Although every patient is different, certain triggers are far more common than others are.

In a survey of over 1,000 rosacea patients, more than half listed the following as triggers:

• Exposure to sun
• Mental stress
• High temperatures
• Wind
• Strenuous physical activity
• Consuming alcoholic beverages
• Taking a hot bath
• Coffee
• Alcohol

Over 20 percent of respondents reported:

• Low temperatures
• Consuming spicy food
• Humid conditions
• Specific skincare products or cosmetic products
• Consuming hot beverages

While identifying your triggers, especially the uncommon ones, can be challenging, it is a vital step towards taking control of your rosacea. With a cooperative effort between you and your skincare team at image Dermatology ® P.C., you can love your skin again. Call us at (973) 509-6900 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Downie. Our office is located in Montclair, convenient to Essex Fells, Glen Ridge, and other area communities.

Dr. Jeanine Downie
image Dermatology ® P.C.

Dr. Jeanine Downie is an experienced and popular dermatologist in Montclair. She possesses extensive experience and training in all aspects of dermatology, including cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. Dr. Downie provides modern and cutting-edge dermatology treatments to everyone in your family in a professional, competent and compassionate manner while ensuring that your individual and unique needs are met. Having received rigorous academic training, she completed her residency in Dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and also served as Chief Resident. She continues to upgrade her skills set and share her knowledge through professional affiliations and lecturing assignments on behalf of several renowned medical societies such as The Skin Cancer Foundation and The American Academy of Dermatology, among others. She also frequently interacts with the public through popular television shows such as Good Morning America, The Today Show, and The Dr. Oz Show, to name a few.