With spring blossoming and summer approaching, a majority of rosacea sufferers may find they must take special precautions to avoid flare-ups, according to a survey by the National Rosacea Society.

In the survey of more than 700 rosacea sufferers, 71 percent said their condition was affected by changes in seasons. Of all the seasons, summer was found the hardest to endure by most, with 57 percent of the respondents reporting that their symptoms are at their worst during this time of year.

It is also during the summer that most of the rosacea sufferers said they must make the most lifestyle adjustments to reduce the likelihood of rosacea flare-ups. The good news is that 83 percent of the survey respondents said lifestyle modifications along with medical therapy had improved their symptoms.

Perhaps it's not surprising that the warmer months can be so hard on rosacea. In a previous National Rosacea Society survey, rosacea sufferers ranked sun exposure as the most common trigger factor for flare-ups. Hot weather ranked third after emotional stress, while humidity, exercise and wind exposure were on the list as well.

With summer approaching, it is therefore particularly important for most rosacea sufferers to use sunscreen and even wear hats to shield their faces from the sun. Outdoor exercise should be limited to the early morning or evening hours when it's cooler. Avoid windy conditions, and on hot days keep cool water, a cool damp towel or ice chips around to help lower body temperature and prevent your face from flushing.

The next harshest season was winter, with 30 percent of all survey respondents naming it as the worst season for their rosacea. In the northern states, 36 percent said winter was their toughest time. For all respondents, spring and fall were the worst seasons for 16 and 8 percent, respectively.