Your table is ready...are you? To reduce the chance of a flare-up, know your personal food triggers and follow these tips:

• Ask. If a dish contains hot spices such as white, black or red pepper, paprika, cayenne or wasabi, see if it can be made without those ingredients, substitute for them, or make another selection.
• Eliminate or minimize alcohol. In a recent survey, 52 percent of respondents cited alcohol -- especially red wine -- as one of the most common rosacea triggers.
• Let heated beverages (and soups!) cool down. Better yet, choose cold ones.
• Avoid foods that bother you. Foods that have been reported to irritate rosacea in some individuals include tomatoes, spinach, chocolate, eggplant, some cheeses, citrus fruits, raisins, chicken livers, bananas, yogurt, sour cream, figs, avocados, liver, yeast extract (bread is OK!), nuts, peas, beans and soy sauce.¹
• Stay out of the hot seat. Ask the hostess for a table away from the roaring fireplace or a strong heating vent.

Remember, everyone is different, so these and other triggers may or may not affect you. If you'd like to keep track of your personal food sensitivities, you can request a free rosacea diary from the National Rosacea Society, 800 S. Northwest Highway, Suite 200, Barrington, IL 60010, call toll-free at 1-888-NO-BLUSH or fill out our Materials Request Form.

Associated Reference

1. Garver JH, Wilkin JK. Flushing and rosacea: overview and nursing interventions. Dermatology Nursing. 1992;4:271-277.