Rosacea comes in all shapes and sizes. It can begin with your skin flushing more than usual, then developing constant red patches that resemble a permanent blush. Pimple-like nodules can also pop up, followed by very red skin with prominent veins. In severe cases, rosacea can develop into an enlarged nose with veins.

It is a skin disease which can worsen slowly over decades without treatment, and always requires a proper diagnosis from a clinician.

But if you have been diagnosed with rosacea, there are a few things you can do to keep on top of your condition in the long-term, in combination with your prescribed treatment plan.

1. Avoid scrubs and acidic cleansers

When rosacea is in remission, it is more difficult to irritate. But when it becomes inflamed, scrubs and acidic cleaners can cause redness and dry out the skin. Keep your skincare products free of chemical irritants and fragrances.

To work out if a product irritates your skin, experiment by applying the product on a small area of your face for a week before trying another one. That way, you can identify exactly which product causes the issue.

2. Be consistent with your treatment

You will have rosacea for many years, so don’t stop taking your prescribed medications or skincare products, even if your rosacea appears to be in remission, or you might suffer more flare-ups. Always speak to your clinician before changing, cutting back, or stopping your regime.

3. Treat flushing and veins

If your treatment regime only includes oral antibiotics, this helps to prevent more damage from rosacea but often doesn’t restore your skin’s colour or treat the veins. Your clinician will help you tailor a comprehensive therapy regime to treat symptoms like redness, flushing and veins.

4. Be careful with your diet

Some foods such as alcohol, coffee and spices can trigger rosacea. Your clinician will work with you to determine the triggers in your individual case, but sometimes you may notice new triggers that you can learn to avoid.

5. See your clinician

If you struggle with rosacea and you aren’t already following a treatment regime, see your clinician who can help properly diagnose the condition, determine its triggers, tailor a treatment plan, and help you restore your skin health. Your treatment may include LED light therapy for rosacea.