Rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha) is a facial skin problem that affects some 14 million Americans. While rosacea is becoming increasingly widespread, a Gallup survey found that 78 percent of Americans have no knowledge of this condition, including how to recognize it or what to do about it. Rosacea’s major feature is the red butterfly face, aka W.C. Fields acne-like appearance.
While the cause of rosacea is unknown and there is no medical cure, help is available that may control the symptoms of this potentially life-disruptive disorder. Any one of the following warning signs is a signal to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment before the symptoms become increasingly severe:
* Redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead.
* Small visible blood vessels on the face.
* Bumps or pimples on the face.
* Watery or irritated eyes.
What triggers rosacea?
Foods
* Yogurt
* Sour cream
* Cheese (except cottage cheese)
* Chocolate
* Vanilla
* Soy sauce
* Yeast extract (bread is ok)
* Vinegar
* Eggplant
* Avocados
* Spinach
* Broad-leaf beans and pods, including lima, navy or pea
* Citrus fruits, including tomatoes, bananas, red plums, raisins or figs
* Spicy and thermally hot foods
* Foods high in histamine
Weather
* Sun
* Cold
* Humidity
* Intense heat
Drugs
* Vasodilators
* Topical steroids
Beverages
* Alcohol, especially red wine, beer, bourbon, gin, vodka or champagne
* Hot drinks, including hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee or tea
Emotional influences
* Stress
* Anxiety
Skin care products
* Some cosmetics and hair sprays, especially those containing alcohol, or fragrances
* Hydro-alcoholic or acetone substances
* Any substance that causes redness or stinging
To help identify personal trigger factors, rosacea patients are advised to keep a diary of daily activities or events and relate them to any flare-ups they may experience. A Rosacea Diary booklet and a booklet on lifestyle management, “Coping with Rosacea,” may be obtained at no charge by writing the National Rosacea Society, 800 S. Northwest Highway, Suite 200, Barrington, IL 60010 or its toll-free number at 1-888-NO-BLUSH.
Holistic Solution
With NAET therapy, the body can be reprogrammed naturally not to react to the many rosacea triggers. “Patients tend to prefer gentle natural solutions to eliminating the triggers of rosacea, rather than long-term medications,” according to Dr. Mike.