A diagnosis of rosacea doesn’t stop most people from staying active, even though exercise is one of the most common triggers for flare-ups. In a recent NRS survey of 512 patients, nearly three quarters of respondents work out frequently, including 42% who exercise two or three times a week and 31% who work out every day.

Sixty-three percent of respondents reported that exercise had caused a flare-up, and 45% had modified their exercise routine as a result. Of those, 61% said they exercised less intensely, while 44% changed where they worked out for better temperature or airflow.

“I stopped going to the gym because I couldn’t control my body temperature or the environment around me,” one patient reported. “Now I only exercise at home.”

Thirty-six percent decided to exercise less frequently, and 34% chose to work out for a shorter period of time or at a different time of day, respectively. Twenty-six percent said they now used a personal cooling device, such as a portable fan. Only 19% said they stopped working out.

At 21%, running was the most common form of exercise survey respondents said they avoid, followed by walking (15%) and cardio exercises (13%). Ironically, 37% responded that walking was also the least aggravating exercise, in addition to yoga (21%), swimming (12%) and pilates (10%).