Rosacea is a skin disease that affects the face. It usually starts as redness that resembles a blush across the nose, forehead, or cheeks. As time passes, red pimples and bumps appear. Some patients also notice red blood vessel lines across their nose and cheeks. In some cases, the skin of the nose may become thick and reddened. This is called rhinophyma. Diet and stress have a big impact on triggering rosacea; thus, it is valuable for a rosacea patient to understand what foods to avoid, and which foods are helpful in rosacea prevention.
Avoid Spicy Foods
Most spicy foods can trigger rosacea. Therefore, the rosacea patient should avoid all types of pepper, including black pepper. Also, paprika, curry, Tabasco, and all other spicy seasonings should be avoided, especially during a rosacea breakout.
Avoid Hot Foods
Consumption of hot foods or liquids is known to trigger rosacea. If a rosacea sufferer wants to drink coffee, tea, or hot soup, it is better to allow these foods to cool to lukewarm or room temperature before consuming.
Avoid Dairy Products
Most dairy products can induce a flareup of rosacea. Cheeses, yogurt, and sour cream are the worst offenders, and should be avoided.
Avoid Alcohol
Most types of alcoholic beverages can trigger rosacea, but red wines are the main culprit. The correlation is dose-dependent, meaning that chronic alcoholics are the most likely to develop severe rosacea.
Eat Grains and Nuts
Most whole grains, seeds, and nuts are known to diminish or prevent rosacea, since they are vasoconstrictors, meaning they cause blood vessels to shrink down. If a patient is diagnosed with rosacea, he should eat two to three servings daily of such foods.
Eat Fruits
Most fruits are good for the rosacea sufferer. The best ones are known as having vasoconstriction properties: these include cherries, blackberries, and blueberries.
Eat Chicken, Fish and Tofu
If one has rosacea, eating fish or chicken is a much healthier alternative than eating red meats; red meats tend to cause vasodilation. In addition, tofu and other soy products are good for reducing rosacea flares.
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