Q. Although I have rosacea, the symptoms only appear in the winter, not during the summer. Is it possible to have "winter rosacea"?

A. While many rosacea patients are affected by environmental factors that change with the seasons, what affects one person may not affect another. It may be that you are particularly sensitive to wind or frigid weather and these winter elements aggravate your rosacea.

It is helpful to keep track of your flare-ups so you can pinpoint and avoid your individual triggers. The NRS offers a "Rosacea Diary" to help identify lifestyle and environmental factors that may affect your case.

Q. If I have rosacea in my eyes, what should I do about wearing contact lenses?

A. Most rosacea patients who experience signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea can still safely wear contact lenses, but it is very important that you alert your eye doctor to your condition prior to being fitted. Your doctor can take steps to minimize inflammation of the eyelid and the eye itself, and to stabilize the tear film.

Both gas permeable and soft contact lenses are among the options for patients with rosacea, so you should discuss the pros and cons of each with your eye doctor. Artificial tears may also increase the amount of time you can comfortably wear your contacts.