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Taming Your Triggers

Avoiding flare-ups

There is a variety of potential triggers that may induce flare-ups of rosacea. For each individual, these triggers may be different, and it takes trial and error to see what may aggravate or induce a flare-up. Environmental factors that may induce flare-ups include wind, exercise, sun, and extreme temperatures. Certain foods and stress can also aggravate this condition.

Click on the links below for a list of what foods would be best to avoid and how to cope and relieve stress to prevent flare-ups.

  • Alcohol, especially red wine, beer, bourbon, gin, vodka, or champagne
  • Spicy and thermally hot foods
  • Hot drinks, including hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea
  • Citrus fruits, tomatoes, bananas, red plums, raisins, and figs
  • Foods high in histamine such as cheeses; fermented foods and beverages such as wines, beer, vermouths, ciders and vinegars; some Asian foods; processed beef and pork; and canned fish products such as anchovies, tuna, herring, mackerel, and sardines
  • Eggplant
  • Avocados
  • Spinach
  • Broad-leaf beans and pods, including peas and lima and navy beans
  • Yogurt
  • Sour cream
  • Cheese (except cottage cheese)
  • Liver
  • Chocolate
  • Vanilla
  • Soy sauce
  • Yeast extract (bread is OK)
  • Vinegar
Although stress can be a significant rosacea trigger, it can also be effectively managed. In fact, a survey of rosacea patients affected by stress revealed that most patients who used stress management techniques had successfully reduced their flare-ups. Here are a few important stress reduction techniques worth trying:
  • Take care of your whole self—eat healthy, exercise moderately, and get the right amount of sleep
  • Cut down on caffeine
  • Try deep-breathing exercises—inhale and count to 10, then exhale and count to 10; repeat this exercise several times
  • Use visualization techniques—sit in a quiet place, close your eyes, and visualize a beautiful vacation spot or favorite pleasurable activity or painting to reduce stress; hold the image for several minutes to feel its peacefulness and beauty
  • Stretch out and relax all your muscles—relax muscles starting at the top of the head and work down to the toes