Three Lifestyle Changes That May Help Reduce Your Rosacea Symptoms
Posted on: 13 July 2015
If you suffer from rosacea, it's important to work with your dermatologist to find an oral or topical medication that helps keep your symptoms under control. Many patients find, however, that their rosacea cannot be eliminated with medication alone. They also have to make lifestyle changes to keep the swelling and redness at bay. The following are three lifestyle changes that may help reduce your rosacea symptoms.
Change your alcohol consumption habits.
Alcohol can cause rosacea flare-ups, so it's best to remove it from your diet. If staying away from alcohol entirely sounds difficult, try to at least steer clear of red wine, white wine, beer, champagne and vodka, as these are the most likely to cause skin reactions. Fewer people experience reactions after drinking Scotch, bourbon, gin, and rum, so consider making one of these your drink of choice -- and drink in moderation, of course.
Spend 20 minutes meditating every morning and night.
Stress is a known trigger for rosacea flare-ups. One of the simplest ways to reduce your stress levels is to mediate twice per day -- once in the morning upon waking, and again before you go to sleep. These meditation sessions do not have to involve anything fancy. Just sit still, close your eyes, and clear your mind. Picture yourself in a relaxing location such as on the beach or in the middle of a lush, green forest, and just let the stress of the day melt away.
Of course, if you find that you enjoy meditation, taking it to the next level by following along with some meditation videos or taking some classes may help you relax even more deeply, reducing your rosacea symptoms.
Wash your face less frequently and with cool water.
Many people begin washing their face more often when they experience breakouts. However, this is a mistake. Water, heat, and many cleansers can actually irritate rosacea and make your breakouts worse. Switch to washing your face just once per day with a very mild cleanser that your dermatologist recommends. Use only cool water, and make sure you rinse your face well. If you do not wear makeup (which is recommended if you have rosacea), you may experience even greater relief if you only wash your face once per day.
By limiting your alcohol intake or changing your drink of choice, meditating daily, and changing your face washing routine, you can help keep your rosacea at bay. Remember that every case of rosacea is different. You may have to play around with several different routines before you figure out exactly what works best for you, and always remember to talk with a dermatologist, such as J Kent Bartruff MD PA, for professional advice.
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