The summer season has arrived, bringing with it longer days, plenty of sunshine, warmer temperatures, and increased humidity. If you have rosacea, you might be happy that one of your primary symptom triggers — dry, winter air and cold wind — is behind you for now.
Unfortunately, summertime brings its own set of rosacea trigger worries, including heat, humidity, sunlight, and outdoor exercise. Here, our expert team at Manhattan Dermatology discusses the ins and outs of rosacea flares, including how to minimize them as you enjoy the warm weather months.
Over 14 million people in the United States — mostly women with fair skin — live with rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin disease that’s frequently mistaken for adult acne.
While rosacea signs (what you see) and symptoms (what you feel) can vary greatly from one person to the next, the condition always includes at least one of the following:
A defining characteristic of rosacea is that its symptoms typically emerge, or flare up, in the presence of specific triggers. While these triggers are highly individual, certain rosacea triggers are very common — including certain seasonal triggers.
Successful rosacea management in the summer goes beyond your usual efforts to control triggers and prevent symptom flares. As significant seasonal triggers take center stage, your focus should shift to:
Sun exposure is a top rosacea trigger, causing dilated blood vessels and easy flushing. Protect your face from the sun by:
The summer sun is most intense during the midday hours, or between 10am and 4pm. We recommend avoiding time in the sun entirely (either staying indoors or in the shade) during peak midday hours — or between noon and 2pm.
Heat and humidity are also major rosacea triggers. Keep your cool on hot days, especially when you’re spending time outdoors, by:
On days with a very high heat index (high temperatures combined with high humidity), staying in an air-conditioned environment may be the best way to prevent a skin flare. If you don’t have A/C, keep indoor environments cool and well-ventilated with fans.
Outdoor exercise is one of the primary joys of the summer season for many, but for those with rosacea, warm-weather physical activity requires some thoughtful planning.
When exercising outdoors, time your workout wisely. Whenever possible, head out for your walk, run, swim, or bike ride during the early morning or early evening hours, when the sun is off-peak and temperatures are cooler.
If you must exercise during the midday hours, or if your workout is intense, keep it inside by heading to the nearest gym or rec center. This is especially true on days that are extremely hot and humid.
If exercise and sweating are rosacea triggers for you, break up your physical activity into multiple shorter sessions to avoid becoming overheated. Exercise at a lower intensity, and take a cooldown break in between.
In addition to managing common warm weather rosacea triggers, keep an eye out for other potential triggers that may crop up more often in the summer, either when you’re on vacation or just indulging in seasonal fun.
These triggers include soaking in hot tubs, swimming in chlorinated pools, drinking alcohol, and eating spicy foods. Some people also find that consuming sugary drinks and treats can promote inflammation and lead to a rosacea flare.
Are you having a hard time identifying or controlling your rosacea triggers? We can help. Call us at Manhattan Dermatology in the Murray Hill or Midtown East neighborhoods of Manhattan, New York City, today, or use our online booking feature to schedule a visit at your convenience.
