5 Rosacea Triggers You Can Control

There are two guiding principles when it comes to rosacea. First, the common skin condition, which affects slightly more than 5% of people around the world, cannot be cured. This leads us to the second principle, which is that trigger management is one of the most effective ways to control rosacea.

With that in mind, Dr. Samantha Robare and the team of skin health experts at Magnolia Dermatology want to review a few common triggers for rosacea, and not those that you have no control over. Instead, we want to take a close look at triggers you can manage. Let’s take a look.

1. Managing sun exposure

As triggers go, sun exposure is enemy number one and affects 81% of people with rosacea. While the sun is technically a trigger you can’t control, and there’s a lot of it here in Texas, you can control the exposure part of the equation.

So, no matter the season, when you head outside, it’s a good idea to keep sun protection top of mind, whether through sunscreen, shading with hats and glasses, or staying in during high-sun hours.

2. Managing stress

Americans are reporting much higher levels of stress and anxiety these days, mainly due to societal division and loneliness. This is bad news for people with rosacea, as 79% report that stress is a trigger.

So, for your rosacea (and your peace of mind), it’s more important than ever to find ways to de-stress. Great examples include:

• Deep breathing exercises
• Going for walks
• Unplugging
• Turning off the news

You know yourself best, so focus on activities and practices that help you decompress.

3. Watch those spicy foods

An easy trigger to manage is spicy foods, which are a quick road to a rosacea flare-up for many. So, be sure to fully understand what’s in your food before you eat it and, when you’re at a restaurant, ask about spiciness.

4. Avoid hot baths

We know the value of a hot bath for soothing and warming you, but hot water can trigger rosacea. Instead of a hot bath, we recommend a warm shower, and then you can curl up under a blanket for extra coziness. Coziness that won’t make your skin turn red.

5. Watch your skin care products

More than 40% of people with rosacea cite skin care products as major triggers. We suggest you go through your bathroom and toss anything with artificial ingredients, such as fragrances and dyes. 

Instead, turn to skin care products that promote all-natural ingredients, such as soothing aloe vera, oatmeal, and chamomile. We’re happy to supply you with a more detailed list of skin and hair products that we’ve seen work well for other patients.

If you’re unsure about your rosacea triggers, we want you to come in to see us so that we can figure them out and then come up with an avoidance plan. To get started, please contact our office in Cypress, Texas, to schedule an appointment.