Socializing can be intimidating any time of year for rosacea sufferers worried about flare-ups. The fast pace of the holidays can intensify the anxiety. Here are some tips to make "good vibrations" during this festive season.

• Don't minimize the importance of consistent medical therapy and lifestyle changes to avoid factors that may aggravate your individual condition. Patients who use medication as prescribed and avoid rosacea tripwires report the best success in controlling their symptoms.

Since knowledge leads to understanding, taking the initiative to inform others about rosacea can put them at ease and make a difference in relationships with others. Here are some ways you can pass on information about rosacea to family, friends, acquaintances and co-workers.

• Look for opportune moments to discuss rosacea. When the conversation seems right, casually mention you have rosacea, a facial condition that affects an estimated 13 million Americans* and is becoming more prevalent as the baby boom generation enters the most susceptible ages.

Summer is synonymous with outdoor barbecues and parties on the patio. While these warm-weather festivities are enjoyable, remember there is a diverse array of foods and beverages that may trigger a rosacea flare-up. Here are some common outdoor food items to avoid if they aggravate your condition.

Many physicians report that spring is "rosacea season," since the changing weather can bring so many rosacea tripwires to the forefront. Here are tips for minimizing the impact of the changing seasons on your condition.

• Limit exposure to wind and cold. When spending more time outdoors, avoid windy or cold days, and cover your face with a scarf when necessary.

If your rosacea makes it difficult to enjoy the holiday season, try focusing on things you can do to avoid flare-ups this time of year. Remember that many holiday-related activities -- eating spicy foods, drinking hot or alcoholic beverages, cooking in an overly warm kitchen, going in and out of stores in cold or windy weather -- can aggravate rosacea in many individuals. Emotional stress also often leads to a flare-up. So do what you enjoy during the holidays, but use good rosacea sense. Here are some tips to help keep your spirits high:

Most people look forward to hot summer days when they can soak in the sun and enjoy a variety of activities outdoors. But for many rosacea sufferers, summer fun can trigger unsightly flare-ups that inevitably put a chill on the season. Here are some precautions you can take:

• Sun exposure is the most common rosacea tripwire, so wear sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher every day -- even when it is overcast. If sunscreen irritates your skin, try a pediatric formulation.

Dining out can be especially challenging for many rosacea sufferers. But by paying attention to your selection of foods and beverages, you may be able to avoid ordering a rosacea flare-up. Here are some tips to make your meal more pleasurable without bringing home a rosacea doggy bag:

• Choose restaurants that offer rosacea-friendly menus. Many rosacea sufferers must avoid hot spicy foods such as those made with white and black pepper, paprika, red pepper and cayenne. So, in general, avoid restaurants that specialize in that type of cuisine.

Why do some foods prompt rosacea? Anything consumed that brings on flushing -- most commonly spicy foods or thermally hot beverages -- can be a culprit in inducing a flare-up. And a vast array of other foods, while less common as tripwires, has also been found to affect various individuals.

"Looking good" isn't just a concern of the young. Mature adults also want to make a good impression, and even those firmly established in long-term social relationships want to be at their best for social occasions.

Here are tips on how to avoid or cope with a flare-up that could imperil your social life.

• Be prepared. In the days before special occasions, take particular care to avoid lifestyle factors that affect your individual condition. Also be sure to use all medication as prescribed in the weeks before.

Some rosacea sufferers have reported that the physical effects of the disease have led to rude comments, stares or even jokes about their appearance. Here are some ways you can take control of these situations and feel good about yourself:

• Realize that most individuals are unaware of rosacea, so take into account that most reactions are simply caused by curiosity and ignorance of the disease, rather than some negative intent.