The inflammatory skin condition rosacea results in facial redness and small, pus-filled bumps. This chronic condition typically follows a pattern where symptoms remain mild for a time and then flare up. Typical treatments include a variety of skin medications. Avoiding rosacea triggers plays an important role in managing the condition as well and following a certain diet, along with avoiding certain foods, might help manage this condition.
Diet and Blood Vessel Dilation
While the exact cause of rosacea remains unknown, the inflammatory response that triggers this condition dilates the blood vessels and increases blood flow to the face, causing the hallmark redness of this condition. Avoiding foods and beverages that increase blood vessel dilation can help reduce rosacea symptoms. Problematic items include hot drinks, soups and spicy foods. You should also refrain from drinking alcohol. The National Rosacea Society compiled a list of trigger foods based on patient histories from various doctors, and several types of alcohol in particular seem to trigger symptoms, including beer, red wine, vodka, champagne, gin and bourbon.
The Role of Healthy Fats
Healthy fats contain many important compounds, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which counteract the release of harmful chemicals that trigger inflammation. Physician, author and natural health expert Dr. Andrew Weil recommends an anti-inflammatory diet for anyone who suffers from conditions triggered by inflammation, such as rosacea; with healthy fats being a cornerstone of this diet. He recommends cooking with olive oil or canola oil and avoiding oils such as sunflower, safflower, corn, cottonseed and mixed vegetable oils. Consume healthy fats in the form of nuts, fish--particularly salmon, sardines, herring and black cod--hemp seeds, flax seeds and eggs fortified with omega-3 fatty acids.
Avoid saturated and trans fats, as they trigger the inflammatory response. Examples include full-fat dairy, fatty meats, margarine and any product that lists partially hydrogenated oil as an ingredient.
The Role of Antioxidants
Antioxidants--nutrients found in a variety of foods--may reduce inflammation by blocking the production of certain byproducts that trigger the inflammatory response. Upping your consumption of antioxidant foods might help reduce rosacea symptoms. The most antioxidant-rich foods include fruits and vegetables and you should aim to eat a variety of colors to ensure you get the full spectrum of available antioxidants. Dr. Weil particularly recommends berries, tomatoes, dark, leafy greens and orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, provided any of these foods do not trigger your rosacea.
Avoiding Common Triggers
In addition to blood-vessel dilating foods and drinks, many other items might possibly serve as triggers for this condition. The National Rosacea Society patient history-based trigger list includes sour cream, cheese--except cottage cheese--yogurt, liver, chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, eggplant, avocados, eggplant, spinach, lima beans, navy beans and peas, citrus fruits, bananas, raisins, red plums and figs. This does not mean that you personally will have a problem with any item on this list but you might consider experimenting with leaving these items out of your diet if you currently include them.
Tracking Your Diet
If you want to use diet to reduce rosacea symptoms, keeping a food diary can help you identify good and bad foods for you specifically. While some blanket suggestions might help all rosacea patients, such as avoiding spicy foods, everyone reacts differently to foods, and you might find a seemingly benign items triggers a flare up. The National Rosacea Society offers a food diary that you can request on its website.
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