Newswise — SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (March 12, 2013) – For people with rosacea, managing the skin condition can be a challenge since what triggers redness and inflammation of the skin in one person may not trigger it in another. Yet doing some detective work can help rosacea sufferers discover quick and easy ways to keep their skin calm.
“Foods and drinks are common culprits of rosacea flares, specifically spicy foods, hot drinks, and anything that contains caffeine and red wine,” said board-certified dermatologist Zoe D. Draelos, MD, FAAD, consulting professor at Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C. “Keeping a journal of what you eat and drink and when your rosacea flares can help you discover which foods and beverages may aggravate your rosacea.”
Dr. Draelos offers these additional tips in managing rosacea:
1. Don’t overheat. Extremely hot temperatures often aggravate rosacea. 2. Protect your face from wind and cold. Covering your face with a scarf helps protect your skin. Just make sure that the material touching your face is not made of wool or a fabric that feels rough to the touch. These fabrics can irritate the skin.3. Apply a sunscreen before going outside since sun exposure can cause rosacea to flare. Look for sunscreens that:• contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as these ingredients are the least irritating• have broad-spectrum protection• have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30. A sunscreen that contains silicone also can help protect the skin and minimize stinging and redness. On the list of ingredients, silicone may be called dimethicone or cyclomethicone.4. Take good care of your skin. Avoid rubbing, scrubbing, or massaging the face. 5. When using hair spray, make sure the spray does not get on your face. 6. Keep your skin care routine simple. Using too many products may irritate the skin.
“Since rosacea may be more easily treated when diagnosed early, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist as soon as you first start noticing changes in your skin,” said Dr. Draelos.
These steps are demonstrated in “Rosacea: Skin Care Do’s and Don’ts,” a video posted to the Academy website and the Academy’s YouTube channel. This video is part of the Dermatology A to Z: Video Series, which offers relatable videos that demonstrate tips people can use to properly care for their skin, hair and nails. A new video in the series posts to the Academy’s website and the YouTube channel each month.
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Celebrating 75 years of promoting skin, hair and nail healthHeadquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 17,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org. Follow the Academy on Facebook (American Academy of Dermatology) or Twitter (@AADskin).
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