What is Rosacea?

Though rosacea does not discriminate, there are common risk factors for this skin condition. Some doctors and experts posit that rosacea is caused when blood vessels expand too easily; this would explain the flushing. However, this is only a theory and the actual cause of rosacea is unknown.

Even though Rosacea is not contagious, some people may be more prone to the condition due to genetics. The most common symptoms of rosacea include redness, flushing of the skin, tiny red pimples, and dry or tight skin. Often, rosacea is mistaken for sunburn, acne, or rosy cheeks. However, when these symptoms continue, further diagnosis will need to be considered.

Some people find that stress and anxiety are triggers for rosacea. For others, the triggers can include alcohol, spicy foods, exposure to sunlight, and exposure to heat or cold. Rosacea will worsen over time if it isn’t treated. It may start as flushing, but over time, other symptoms may appear, such as visible blood vessels and dry skin.

Coping with rosacea

Since rosacea cannot be cured, if you develop the condition, then you will have to learn how to cope with it. Of course, the right types of treatments will minimize flare-ups but that doesn’t mean they will be eliminated completely. There are some things you can do to make living with rosacea much easier.

Learn your tripwires

To begin with, you need to learn what causes your flare-ups. These are often very different for different people. These are some of the most common causes:

• Hot beverages
• Cold weather
• Hot baths
• Wind
• Exercise
• Spicy foods
• Skincare products
• Sun exposure
• Stress
• Hot weather
• Alcohol

To determine your own triggers, make note of your outbreaks every time they occur. Start looking for common factors and trends that lead to the flare-up and this will give you a better idea of what is causing your own rosacea.

Treat as soon as possible

Once you’ve figured out what is causing your rosacea flare-ups, you can start preparing for them. You’ll be able to avoid many of the causes, but not all. In some cases, a flare-up will happen for no reason at all. Discuss your options with your doctor and make sure you have topical creams or other treatments available.

Having medications on-hand will ensure you’re able to treat a flare-up quickly, before it worsens.

Always take care of your skin

A big part of coping with rosacea will come in the form of taking the best care of your skin. Finding a skin care system that works for you takes time, but using gentle skincare is an absolute must if you are managing rosacea.

Always take the time to look for products that don’t contain oil or alcohol and avoid anything that could clog your pores.

If you use makeup to cover up the flushing or other signs of a flare-up, then use a foundation that is light, non-comedogenic, and tinted green in color. These will have the best results of not making the rosacea worse and of keeping your skin looking clear and healthy.

Living with rosacea

A rosacea diagnosis doesn’t mean you will have to deal with it every day. Follow any medication schedule that your doctor suggests. Then, make sure you know what triggers your flare-ups so you can avoid them. This way, you’ll have clearer skin more often and you’ll mitigate side effects, or worsening conditions.