Rosacea diet

Rosacea is an acne-like skin condition characterized by facial redness. The symptoms of this condition include pink or red patches, blood vessels that are broken, red cysts, tiny red bumps, and irritated eyes. Many people suffering from rosacea may not be aware that they have the disease and that it can be diagnosed and treated. They are generally under the impression that they flush or blush easily and are more sensitive to the sun. Rosacea is a non-curable chronic disease that has its periodic hassles.

As compared to teenage pimples or traditional acne, a patient doesn’t “outgrow” the problem. Rosacea involves the central part of the face and causes redness or flushing that spreads over the chin, forehead, and the lower part of the nose. It also affects the ears, neck, chest, and scalp. In some patients, symptoms such as semi-permanent redness and red bumps are seen. Rosacea is not infectious or contagious and doesn’t spread through skin contact, shared towels, and inhalation.

There is no cure currently available for rosacea. However, proper and regular treatments can help control the problem. Certain forms of rosacea can be cleared with the help of laser light, isotretinoin, or photodynamic therapy. The results of such treatment are usually long-lasting. Following a rosacea diet is also an effective way to control the problem. Certain foods may aggravate or trigger rosacea symptoms. Once you figure out which foods might be causing rosacea, it becomes easier to develop a rosacea diet plan to tackle the problem. There are many rosacea diet recipes available on the Internet, and these are both delicious and easy to make.

Any food that increases the flow of blood to the face should not be added to the rosacea diet. Hot and spicy foods, hot beverages, and alcohol should be avoided. Other foods that should be eliminated from the rosacea diet include foods such as hot spices, vinegar, spicy seasonings, peppers, hot sauces, and meat marinades. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, red plums, bananas figs, cheeses, pasta, raisins, and chocolates aggravate rosacea in many people. Some other trigger foods include sour cream, liver, soy sauce, eggplant, yeast extract, spinach, avocados, broad-leaf beans, vanilla, and other beans. Many people have complained of outbreaks on consuming lobster, prawns, chocolate, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and food colorings. It is therefore best to avoid these foods if you are planning a rosacea diet.

In addition to following a rosacea diet, it is also best that you limit your intake of alcohol or avoid it all together. Alcohol has diuretic properties as a result of which water gets pushed out of the cells, resulting in increased urination and in turn dehydration. Alcohol also hinders sleep, causing a person to be more fatigued and stressed. All this could lead to an increase in the symptoms of rosacea. As part of your rosacea diet plan, include seeds, nuts, fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grains in the meals you consume. Blackberries, cherries, and blueberries help reduce the redness associated with rosacea. Fish and chicken are a better option as compared to red meats. Tofu is a great source of protein and helps cool the body. It is better to eat cooked foods as they can be easily digested. Sometimes, it best to figure out what works for you over a period of time and then include it in your rosacea diet.

You could also increase your intake of water in between meals and avoid any drinks while eating. If the person suffering from rosacea has high stress levels, anxiety, or a higher metabolic rate or if he/she lives in a place that has a dry climate, then it is important to drink more water as part of the rosacea diet. Also, people living in colder climates need to drink more water as moisture from the skin is lost by the body. Water is required for body processes such as circulation, digestion, absorption, secretion, and repair of skin tissue. Avoid drinks and foods that are hot and try to cool them to at least room temperature, if not cooler. So make sure that the tea, coffee, and soft drink you consume are chilled.

In addition to knowing what triggers rosacea, another thing that helps is reducing your calorie intake. If your body processes fewer calories, it would in turn produce less heat. This will help reduce the irritation and redness of your skin. Do not eat large portions instead eat smaller portions at each meal and make sure you include foods that help keep rosacea under control. To sum up, a rosacea diet is a healthy diet. Include a lot of whole grains, vegetables, fresh fruits, and avoid eating red meat. Make sure you drink lots of water and limit, if not completely eliminate, fatty foods from your diet. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to acne or rosacea diet, but by making a note of foods that aggravate the problem, you can become aware of what to eat and what not to eat.

In addition to following a rosacea diet, here are a few tips that can help control the problem.

• Follow a skin-care routine. Use cosmetics, soaps, and lotions that are formulated for sensitive skin. Green color-based cosmetics might help disguise the redness caused by rosacea.
• Make sure that you apply sunscreen whenever you need to step out of the house.
• Exercise regularly, but make sure you go in for shorter exercise routines and workouts that are low-intensity.
• Avoid too indulging in saunas or soaking in hot tubs; hot water showers are also best avoided.
• Limit your intake of spicy foods, hot drinks, and alcohol.
• During winter, make sure you moisturize your skin. If you need to go out, cover your nose and cheeks with a scarf. This will provide you protection from the wind and cold.
• Another effective treatment for rosacea is apple cider vinegar. You could either take it in tablet form or add it to some water. It is best that you consult your health care provider before trying out this remedy at home.

Submitted on January 16, 2014