Rosacea & Stress

Overview

Rosacea affects more than 14 million Americans. According to the National Rosacea Society, the condition is characterized by redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead; bumps or pimples; irritated eyes; and visible blood vessels on the face.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases states that rosacea mostly affects menopausal women, people with fair skin and adults between the ages of 30 and 60. Men with rosacea commonly have an enlarged, red nose. This is known as rhinophyma.

Stress and anxiety are known triggers of rosacea, so it's important to keep your stress and anxiety levels under control.

Emotional Stress

Emotional stress and anxiety can take its toll on rosacea sufferers. The National Rosacea Society recommends that patients use stress-management techniques, eat healthy, exercise moderately and get enough sleep. It also recommends cutting back caffeine consumption. Deep-breathing exercises, visualization techniques and muscle relaxation can also help. Visualization is picturing a beautiful place or enjoyable activity, and holding that vision.

Physical Stressors

According to the National Rosacea Society, there are many physical stressors that can cause rosacea to flare up. The physical stressors include hot or cold temperatures, the sun, humidity, winds and hot baths. Exercise or physically demanding jobs can also cause a flareup.

The use of skin-care products and makeup can also aggravate the sensitive skin of a rosacea sufferer.

Exercise

The National Rosacea Society states that rosacea sufferers should exercise in moderation in order to avoid flareups. It recommends exercising for shorter intervals such as 15 minutes a few times a day. Low-intensity exercise routines should replace heavy exertion and high-intensity workouts. It also suggests working out in cooler parts of the day and to protect skin from the sun. Indoor exercise areas should be well-ventilated to prevent overheating. Staying hydrated also helps.

Considerations

Rosacea can be detrimental to your self-confidence and self-esteem, resulting in a change in social behavior. A dermatologist should be seen for a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Prevention/Solution

There is no cure for rosacea, but there is treatment for symptoms. Rosacea sufferers can try to avoid or limit rosacea triggers, including stress. What sets off a flareup in one person may not cause a flareup in another person, so knowing each person's own triggers is key to a patient's success.