Rosacea Review - Newsletter of the National Rosacea SocietyA. No. Rosacea is not considered an infectious disease, and there is no evidence that it can be spread by contact with the skin or through inhaling airborne bacteria. The effectiveness of antibiotics against rosacea symptoms is believed to be due to their anti-inflammatory effect, rather than their ability to destroy bacteria.
Q. Can indoor temperature affect my rosacea?
A. It is possible that indoor temperature could affect rosacea in certain cases, since anything that causes a sufferer to flush may have the potential to lead to a flare-up. Hot weather has been documented on surveys as a rosacea trigger for 53 percent of sufferers, and being "too warm" indoors can also induce flushing.
Q. Can rosacea be aggravated by birth control pills?
A. Nothing has been reported in the medical literature indicating that birth control pills may cause rosacea flare-ups. Later in life, however, some women find they develop rosacea during menopause because of the increase in flushing as their bodies undergo hormonal changes.
Q. Will laser surgery get rid of telangiectasias (spider veins or tiny visible blood vessels)?
A. Laser surgery using a pulse dye or other laser can be an effective way to treat telangiectasias on the legs. For many sufferers, laser treatment can provide long-term relief from these unwanted spider veins.
Q. I have heard that foods high in histamine may aggravate rosacea. What kinds of foods should I be watching out for?
Q. I suffer from regular acne in addition to rosacea. Is this common?
Q. It seems the list of tripwires that might trigger rosacea flare-ups is endless, and now I am afraid to try anything. What should I do?
A. Numerous items have been identified by various rosacea sufferers as causing rosacea flare-ups in their particular cases. However, because each individual is unique, what causes a flare-up for one sufferer may not for another. Before you start avoiding everything, try keeping track of your daily activities and the corresponding condition of your rosacea to pinpoint and avoid exactly what seems to aggravate your particular case.
