Rosacea: Triggers, Treatment and Taking Control

You might be dealing with rosacea if you’re experiencing persistent facial redness, bumps, and flushing. This chronic skin condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact your quality of life.

Rosacea is more than just a skin irritation. Beyond the visible symptoms, it can also lead to eye problems known as ocular rosacea. This makes your eyes feel itchy, burning and red. In some cases, it can progress to rhinophyma, causing the nose to become enlarged and red.

That’s why understanding rosacea, its triggers, and available treatment options is critical to managing this condition.

What Causes Rosacea

The exact cause of rosacea is unknown. While researchers believe inflammation plays a key role in its symptoms, they’re still figuring out why this happens. 

For now, the experts believe that factors such as increased skin sensitivity, sun exposure, and skin bacteria contribute to the issue. It’s also likely that a combination of genetic and environmental factors leads to the development of rosacea.

Another aspect we know about rosacea is that certain triggers can exacerbate symptoms. Some of these triggers are:

• Sun exposure. Harmful UV rays can worsen redness and inflammation.
• Spicy foods. Consuming spicy dishes can trigger facial flushing.
• Alcohol consumption. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels, leading to increased redness.
• Hot beverages. Similar to spicy foods, hot drinks can cause facial flushing.
• Stress. Emotional stress can contribute to rosacea flare-ups.
• Certain skincare products. Some skincare ingredients may irritate sensitive rosacea skin.
• Weather extremes. Both hot and cold temperatures can affect rosacea symptoms.

How To Get Rid of Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic condition, which means there’s no permanent cure. However, various treatment options can help manage symptoms and improve your skin’s appearance. The best approach to managing rosacea depends on your specific goals. Are you looking to reduce redness and inflammation, minimise bumps and pimples, or prevent future flare-ups?

Your treatment option will likely include:

• Topical medications. Creams and gels containing ingredients like antibiotics, azelaic acid, and metronidazole help reduce redness and inflammation.
• Oral medications. In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics to clear up active inflammation.
• Laser and light therapy. These treatments target blood vessels and reduce redness.

Taking Control of Rosacea

While it’s not possible to get rid of rosacea permanently, you can keep the symptoms at bay by:

Having a Daily Skincare Routine

To manage rosacea, your skincare regimen should mainly include:

• Gentle, fragrance-free cleansers to clean your face without irritating your skin
• Fragrance-free moisturiser to hydrate and protect your skin’s barrier
• Sensitive skin-friendly, broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day to safeguard your skin from harmful UV rays

Avoid harsh scrubs, exfoliants, and products containing alcohol.

Modifying Your Lifestyle 

Your lifestyle plays a significant role in managing rosacea, so make these conscious choices to help keep your skin calm:

• Watch what you eat. As mentioned, spicy foods and alcohol can trigger flare-ups for many people, so you might want to cut back or avoid them altogether.
• Find healthy ways to manage stress. Try relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga and get enough sleep.
• Avoid hot showers and saunas. Overheating can trigger rosacea symptoms.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid stressful situations if possible.

Following a Treatment Plan

We’ve always said that everyone’s skin is different, so a dermatologist is the best person to ask for a treatment plan for your rosacea. They’ll consider the severity of your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatments, which might include prescription medications, laser therapy, or other procedures. 

More importantly, working with a dermatologist for a rosacea management plan means regular check-ups to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan if needed. 

Rosacea Management at ENRICH

Our experienced dermatologists offer comprehensive rosacea management, including personalised treatment plans and ongoing support. Schedule your appointment today.