When it comes to rosacea, not every case is the same. Not only are there four types of rosacea, but there are up to 10 different types of rosacea triggers that can cause different flare-up symptoms and require unique treatment options depending on the case. To help identify what might be causing a flare-up, here are the 10 most common rosacea triggers and how to prevent them.
2. What can trigger rosacea flare-ups?
3. Treatment options and flare-up prevention
Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects up to 16 million people in the United States. The condition is unique as it manifests as blushing or flushing of the face that can resemble a sunburn – but it can flare up depending on certain factors.
Although rosacea shows visibly as blushing, it’s not as simple as it seems. In other words, just because someone gets a reddish glow on their face after a slightly embarrassing moment definitely does not mean they have rosacea. Rather, rosacea is a long-term condition and rosacea triggers can be brought on by a multitude of things such as heat or stress. Plus, rosacea can color more than just the cheeks. Redness from rosacea can spread to areas such as the:
There are four main types of rosacea – but keep in mind that those with rosacea can experience symptoms of more than just one type. The four types of rosacea include:
This form of rosacea is characterized by persistent redness of the face, the visible appearance of blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface, and blood vessels showing enlargement under the skin. Unlike some other forms of rosacea, these symptoms are said to often flare up and then go away within a short period of time. However, without treatment, redness can last longer, spread to more areas of the skin, and in some cases can even become permanent.
A common symptom associated with papulopustular rosacea can be inferred from the name as whiteheads known as pustules can appear on the cheeks, chin, scalp, neck, chest, and forehead. The pustules are pus-filled blemishes that look like red and swollen bumps, which is why it is so often confused or mistaken for acne.
Phymatous rosacea is a unique form of rosacea in the way that it causes the skin to thicken and scar, which can give the skin a bumpy, swollen, and sometimes discolored appearance. Most commonly, these symptoms manifest on the nose, causing the nose to look bulbous. While this form of rosacea is rare, it certainly is still treatable.
Again, this is another form of rosacea that comes with symptoms that can be inferred from the name. In this case, ocular = eyes. Patients with ocular rosacea often have bloodshot or watery eyes that can sometimes be associated with burning or irritation of the eyes, persistently dry eyes, sensitive eyes, and cysts that can form on the eyelids.
Since the skin is much more sensitive with rosacea, there are numerous rosacea triggers that can contribute to flare-ups. Determining which one of the specific rosacea triggers is affecting you will be essential in helping a physician choose a treatment option that’s most effective in controlling the symptoms. Common rosacea triggers include:
Treatment for rosacea in order to control the symptoms will depend on a variety of factors once you speak with a healthcare provider. For instance, a physician will take multiple things into consideration such as your age, overall health, medical history, the severity of rosacea, and the type of rosacea you’re displaying.
The most common forms of treatment that are recommended are:
To further prevent flare-ups, you can help manage the rosacea by:
Written by Selena Ponton
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