How to Prevent a Rosacea Flare-up

Blushing that spreads across your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead is a classic sign of rosacea. This common skin condition affects about 415 million people worldwide and around 16 million in the United States. 

Unfortunately, many people with rosacea don’t realize they have it or don’t realize there’s a treatment for it. If you suspect you have rosacea, we invite you to schedule an appointment with us at Nexclin Medicine in Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton, Georgia. Triple-board certified Dr. Naima Cheema and our team specialize in holistic care for your whole family, and we can help you keep your rosacea calm.

Potential causes of rosacea

The jury’s still out on why some people develop rosacea and others don’t. We do know that fair-skinned Caucasian women over the age of 30 get rosacea more than others, and it tends to run in families. 

It’s also possible that you’re sensitive to a bacterium common in acne. If so, your immune system overreacts to Bacillus oleronius and leads to the onset of rosacea.

Some believe that a pathogen in your intestine may be the culprit since H. pylori are commonly found in the intestines of people with rosacea. 

Skin mites called Demodex may play a role, too. Microscopic bugs live on your skin, and people with rosacea often have more of these mites than others, especially on the nose and cheeks.

Another theory suggests that people with rosacea don’t properly process cathelicidin, the protein that protects your skin from infections.

Rosacea causes vs. triggers

Causes are the reason you developed the skin condition of rosacea in the first place. Triggers are factors that incite your symptoms and make them worse, incidents called flare-ups. 

The best way to prevent rosacea flare-ups is to avoid the triggers that aggravate your condition. Keeping a journal of products you use, environmental factors, and things you eat and drink can help you identify patterns and connections. Everyone has different triggers, but some of the most common include the following:

• Spicy food
• Alcohol
• Overheating
• Stress
• Sun exposure
• Skin care products
• Wind

Learning your triggers and avoiding them can keep your rosacea calm and under control. Remember that rosacea makes your skin hypersensitive and vulnerable. Protect it by using high-quality, broad-spectrum sunscreen at all times. Hats and sunglasses are also a must for people with rosacea. 

Keep your face well hydrated, especially on windy days that suck the moisture out of your skin. Talk to Dr. Cheema about products that nourish your skin without triggering rosacea. 

How we can help

There’s no cure for rosacea yet, but we have treatments to help you manage your condition and prevent it from progressing. Without treatment, rosacea often worsens, leading to visible blood vessels, increased redness, rough skin, acne-like pimples, burning, stinging, itching, and thickened skin (especially in men). 

Dr. Cheema offers several treatment options, including mild chemical peels, prescription topical creams, and LED light therapy. 

To find out which treatment is best for you, call us at 770-558-2873, or book an appointment online.