Rosacea: causes, triggers, and management

In this article, Dr Justine Hextall, an esteemed consultant dermatologist, details what rosacea is, what causes it, and reveals whether or not rosacea can potentially be a symptom of another skin condition.

What is rosacea, and what causes it?

It is where an individual experiences some skin flushing. Essentially, it is an exaggerated immune response that can be caused by triggers such as stress, emotion, diet, UV exposure, and/or light.

Can rosacea be a symptom of something else?

I have seen individuals who have developed rosacea after having gut surgery, and also after long-term use of antibiotics. Interestingly, I have seen severe cases of rosacea in patients who have the COVID-19 vaccine.

Is rosacea curable?

It is viewed as a chronic condition. People with certain skin types will always be at risk of developing rosacea, but I certainly believe that it can be effectively managed.

How can rosacea flareups be prevented?

To prevent a rosacea flareup, you need to control your triggers. I encourage my patients to work with hypnotherapists to help control their stress levels in order to prevent rosacea flareups.

I also think nutritionists can help a great deal when it comes to helping patients avoid bloating, as there is certainly a link between stress, bloating, and rosacea, with bloating occurring due to stress, and rosacea the end result or consequence if you like. I think it’s quite a bespoke approach, so it’s important that somebody sits down and really unpicks the triggers of a certain individual’s rosacea triggers.

Dr Justine Hextall is a highly accomplished consultant dermatologist who can help you when it comes to diagnosing and treating rosacea. Book an appointment with her today via her Top Doctors profile.