What makes you blush? If your skin turns an uncomfortable red because you have rosacea, that's a question you are constantly asking yourself--and constantly trying to control. Rosacea is a chronic disease that affects the face and sometimes the eyes. Many factors can trigger flare-ups, including some of the things you eat and drink, according to the National Institutes of Health. Watching out for these dietary triggers can be one step toward controlling the disease.
Causes
People suffering with rosacea report that a wide variety of foods can trigger the characteristic flushes--and the triggers vary from person to person. According to the National Rosacea Society, some of the reported triggers are hot soup and coffee, spicy foods, alcohol, citrus fruit, chocolate, vanilla, vinegar and soy sauce. Other patients report flushing after eating dairy products such as cheese, sour cream and yogurt; some say vegetables such as spinach and eggplant cause their attacks.
Spicy Foods
If hot Chinese mustard or tongue-tingling curry set off your rosacea, you have lots of company. Spicy foods are such a common culprit that the National Institutes of Health recommends limiting spicy foods as one strategy to avoid flare-ups.The American Academy of Dermatology says some of the spicy foods that often cause problems are cayenne and red pepper, curry, chili powder, black and white pepper and salsa.
Alcohol
If you drink alcohol, you might have noticed that it triggers rosacea outbreaks. Beer and wine--especially red wine--are the worst culprits, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Mixing liquor with soda or juice only worsens the effect. It's best to avoid alcohol if it causes flare-ups, the Academy warns. It advises that for an occasional drink, the choice least likely to cause problems is a jigger of gin, vodka or whiskey mixed with 6 ounces of very cold water.
Prevention
Once you identify foods and drinks that trigger rosacea flare-ups, you can plan your diet to prevent problems. One simple strategy is to reduce the heat of beverages like coffee and tea, the National Rosacea Society suggests. You might find substitutes for some spicy foods--for example, using a blend of cumin and oregano in place of chili powder. If foods containing histamine bother you, taking an antihistamine before you eat may help, the Society says.
Cooking Caveat
If you can't stand the heat . . . you might be suffering rosacea flare-ups in the kitchen. Along with modifying your diet, try to stay cooler in the kitchen to avoid flushes from the heat of food preparation. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests keeping cool by preparing some foods in advance, using ventilation and fans, drinking cold water while you work and maybe even draping a cool cloth or an ice pack around your neck.
References
- National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Rosacea Q&A
- National Institutes of Health-Medline Plus: Rosacea
- American Academy of Dermatology: Rosacea Triggers: Food and Drink Tips
- National Rosacea Society: Tripwires: Foods and Beverages
- American Academy of Dermatology: Rosacea Triggers: Cooking
