Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation, redness and small bumps on the face. Rosacea isn't curable, but it often comes and goes in cycles and can be diminished through treatments and lifestyle changes. If you have rosacea, one helpful lifestyle change you can make is to avoid the foods that commonly flare up the condition.
Spicy Foods
A wide range of spicy foods can trigger rosacea flare-ups. According to a National Rosacea Society survey of over 500 rosacea patients, about 45 percent of rosacea sufferers had flare-ups related to eating spicy foods. About 61 percent of the patients affected by spicy foods cited hot peppers as a trigger, 52 percent cited Mexican-style foods, 47 percent cited chili and 46 percent cited salsa. Even other spicy foods such as hot sausages and Cajun-style foods were culprits. If you tend to get flare-ups after eating spicy foods, the National Rosacea Society recommends avoiding hot spices and using other flavorful substitutes such as curry powder and poultry seasoning.
Other Potential Triggers
Various other foods can spark outbreaks in rosacea sufferers, but to a lesser degree than spicy foods. Potential trigger foods include cheese, yogurt, sour cream, citrus fruits, vinegar, spinach, chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract and foods high in niacin or histamine. If your rosacea gets worse after you take foods high in histamine, taking an antihistamine a couple of hours before you eat may help reduce the effects. If niacin causes you trouble, taking aspirin two hours in advance may reduce the problem.
Considerations About Beverages
What you drink may be just as potent as certain foods in causing rosacea flare-ups. About 52 percent of rosacea sufferers cite alcohol as a trigger. Red wine and beer more frequently cause redness than do other types of alcohol, whereas a shot of vodka, whiskey or gin combined with 6 oz. of icy cold water is less likely to cause problems, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Conversely, mixing hard alcohol with juice or soda is more likely to cause a rosacea flare-up. Heated beverages are also problematic for about 36 percent of rosacea sufferers. If you think the hot beverages may be causing rosacea problems, opt for tepid or iced versions of cider, tea, cocoa, coffee and other favorites.
Tips and Considerations
Use a food journal to record your eating habits. When you experience a flare-up, look at a list of common triggers, which will also help you recall whether you may have recently consumed any of them. Once you discover your triggers, keep a close eye on food labels to avoid unnecessary risk. Although avoiding certain triggers may reduce your risk of rosacea flare-ups, you will need to continue following your prescribed treatment plan. In some cases, this may mean continued use of topical medications, according to MayoClinic.com.
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