While emotional stress is one of the leading causes of rosacea flare-ups, stress management can be highly effective in reducing its impact, according to a new survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society.

In a survey of more than 700 rosacea patients, 91 percent reported that emotional stress caused or sometimes caused their rosacea to flare up. Stress reportedly led to frequent flare-ups for 45 percent of the survey respondents and occasional flare-ups for 42 percent. Only 10 percent indicated that stress rarely affected their rosacea.

The most difficult kind of emotional stress for their rosacea was anxiety, according to 67 percent of respondents, followed by anger (52 percent), frustration (48 percent), worry (46 percent) and embarrassment (41 percent). Only 27 percent said excitement caused flare-ups, and 17 percent reported that sorrow aggravated their condition.

Family was a major source of stress for 50 percent of survey participants, and jobs were a major source for 42 percent. Other causes of stress included finances for 30 percent, health for 28 percent, relationships for 23 percent and social pressure for 16 percent.

Because of the effects of stress, 40 percent of survey respondents indicated they have incorporated stress reduction techniques into their lifestyles, and another 38 percent said they sometimes practice stress management.

The vast majority of those patients who work to avoid stress find it helps control their rosacea. Nearly 83 percent reported that it reduced or sometimes reduced their rosacea flare-ups, and only 13 percent said it had no effect.