The Mayo Clinic defines rosacea as a "chronic, inflammatory skin condition that affects adults." A person suffering from rosacea may have redness in the face and "small, red, pus-filled bumps or pustules." If it's not treated, it usually gets worse. Doctors may prescribe topical medications, oral antibiotics or even surgery to treat the condition, but a number of natural approaches may help, too.
Protect Your Skin
The Mayo Clinic says you can help prevent rosacea flareups by using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher whenever you're out in the sun. In the winter, you should protect your face with a scarf or ski mask. Wind can make the condition worse, too. At all times, try to avoid rubbing or touching your skin too much. Contact can irritate the skin.
Proper Cleansing and Makeup
Be gentle with your skin to help keep rosacea flareups to a minimum. The Mayo Clinic recommends washing with a gentle cleanser such as Dove or Cetaphil. Stay away from anything that contains alcohol or other ingredients that might irritate the skin. The National Rosacea Society suggests spreading your cleanser with your fingertips or a soft pad or washcloth. Avoid anything abrasive, such as a loofah or rough washcloth. If you use a topical medication for rosacea, put any moisturizer on after the medication has dried. When it comes to makeup, the Mayo Clinic recommends looking for products labeled noncomedogenic. To help cover the redness, use makeup with a green or yellow tint.
Diet Changes
According to the Dr. Oz Show website, diet changes can also help to reduce rosacea flareups. Hot beverages and spicy foods may make the condition worse. Alcohol can trigger flushing and redness, too. The National Rosacea Society even notes cases of rosacea flaring up after consumption of certain fruits and vegetables, marinated meats and dairy products. Keeping a diary related to your condition may help you track your individual triggers.
Relax
A National Rosacea Society survey found stress to be a leading trigger for flareups of rosacea, so any practice that helps control stress may help control rosacea, too. Exercise can also bring on the flushing common among rosacea sufferers. Consider working out in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. Exercise more often but for shorter periods of time, keep a fan running on you indoors and sip cold water or ice chips during your workout.
Other Alternatives
The Mayo Clinic says there's no conclusive evidence that some other popular alternative remedies for rosacea really work. It finds no scientific backing for treatments such as colloidal silver, vitamin K, emu oil, oregano oil or laurelwood.
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