In a survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society, some of the most common rosacea triggers include exposure to the sun, emotional and physical stress, alcohol, hot or cold temperatures, wind, spicy foods, hot baths and hot drinks such as coffee or tea. Rosacea triggers are different for everyone. You may feel the telltale “heat” coming on while enjoying a cocktail, or when addressing a group of your peers. You may notice that a day at the beach leaves you with a rosy glow that just won’t fade — even if you were in the shade.

Controlling rosacea through lifestyle and treatment.

Successful treatment of rosacea includes both lifestyle choices and maintenance therapy with a topical solution, such as metronidazole. Be careful choosing products to use on your skin. Choose cleansers, moisturizers and cosmetics that are mild. Another tip: Avoid getting hair spray on your face.

To avoid rosacea flare-ups, it is important to recognize and avoid those triggers that cause blood flow to the cheeks, causing your face to blush. For some people, it helps to take an antihistamine before eating foods high in histamine, such as canned fish, cheeses, cured meats, spinach and tomatoes. You can also try taking an aspirin before eating foods high in niacin, such as meat, poultry, fish and nuts. Before heading outside, check the daily UV Map to find out the risk level of UV rays in your area. Remember, these triggers are unique for everyone. Keeping track of flare-ups in a journal can help you identify — and avoid — your personal triggers.