Wind, Stress, and Red Wine: All About Common Rosacea Triggers

Skin conditions, among the most common illnesses, affect the skin in various ways, including cysts, rashes, pimples, swelling, and discoloration. Most people are familiar with acne (the most common illness), eczema, and psoriasis, but as many as 5.1% of the global population (about 423,334,598 people) have the lesser-known condition called rosacea.

This illness comes and goes in outbreaks, and avoiding dealing with the problems it can bring means finding ways to prevent the triggers that cause them. Since April is National Rosacea Awareness Month (an event that began in 1992), this is a great time to help people better understand the condition and the factors that can trigger flare-ups.

Our team at The Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center helps residents in Clarkston and Pullman, Washington, with many skin problems, including rosacea. Drs. Walter Williams and Lindsey Goddard are dedicated to finding solutions for these illnesses to improve your life.

Rosacea basics

This chronic inflammatory skin disease causes redness, swelling, burning, stinging, dry skin, skin thickening, and pimples on your nose, chin, cheeks, forehead, eyes, ears, chest, scalp, and neck, with other symptoms varying by type. It comes in four different types: erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular.

Rosacea happens more frequently in fair-skinned women 30 and over, though anyone can develop it, especially if there’s a family history.

Causes and common triggers

The overall causes of rosacea aren’t clearly understood, though it’s speculated that an overactive immune system or genetics could play a part in your risk of having it. It isn’t a contagious disease; it’s a lifelong condition that’s controlled by avoiding the things that trigger it. These include:

Sun exposure: Sunlight, heat, and humidity can cause flushing and inflammation.

Cold weather: Dry, cold, and windy conditions also cause outbreaks.

Anxiety/stress: Stress can stem from life events or chronic issues, which causes inflammation.

Spicy foods: Facial blushing, redness, and flushing from rosacea can stem from hot and spicy foods.

Alcohol: Alcohol, like red wine, dilates the blood vessels in your skin, leading to flushing and other symptoms.

Beauty products: Harsh ingredients in skincare, hair care, and makeup products can irritate skin and cause outbreaks.

Working out: The increase in body temperature during exercise raises your risk of an outbreak.

Certain medications: Topical steroids and vasodilators for high blood pressure can cause outbreaks.

Medical conditions: Chronic cough, caffeine withdrawal, and menopause all carry a risk of a flare-up.

Vitamin levels: Having too many or too few vitamins, like B or B13, can contribute to flare-ups.

Treatment options

Reducing or removing many triggers can lower the risk of a rosacea outbreak, and a combination of methods, including ointments and medications, can help you experience fewer symptoms. We can help you by using treatments such as ivermectin, oral antibiotics, acne medications, brimonidine, or oxymetazoline to alleviate symptoms during outbreaks.

We can’t cure rosacea, but we can help you live a better life by helping you take control of its symptoms. Schedule an appointment with Drs. Williams, Goddard, and the Dermatology &Skin Cancer Center today to get the help you need.