Controlling the flushing of rosacea

The flushing associated with rosacea can get out of control at times, with no sure-fire way to manage it. Each person with rosacea has their own version of the condition, with things that will help or hinder uniquely.

Medication can be used successfully in some people for severe cases, but medication isn’t always very successful. This doesn’t mean medication can’t be useful; it just means it doesn’t work in all people all the time.

We use a combination of treatments for each person, including the use of lasers to reduce the problem blood vessels.

Avoiding triggers is the best way to avoid flare-ups of flushing and redness. Some simple changes can have surprisingly effective results, and things you love doing or eating may become a casualty of the condition. Keeping a diary for a while can help establish triggers if they seem somewhat mysterious.

The most common rosacea triggers include:

• Sun
• Stress
• Hot or cold weather
• Wind
• Heavy exercise
• Alcohol
• Hot baths
• Spicy food

Antihistamines and aspirin (or similar medications) may be offered to help reduce flushing from anything that causes blood vessels to dilate (become wider) like heat or spicy food.

Flushing that is controlled by your unconscious nervous system (the autonomic nervous system) that causes flushing with sweating are typically triggered off by temperature increases, exercise or hot drinks. Flushing can therefore be reduced by cooling the body with a cold wet towel or a fan. Sucking on ice cubes or drinking iced water may also help.

Stress-related flushing may be treated with beta-blockers or clonidine, which helps reduce the stress response that triggers the flushing, rather than the flushing per se.

Medication is available to treat the bumps and pimples of some forms of rosacea, with good success rates. We also have some great lasers and equipment to reduce the blood vessels in the cheeks that cause the flushing. Talk to your dermatologist about your options, and check out our treatment page for rosacea.

Don’t let rosacea rule your life.
We can help.
Contact us