The National Rosacea Society (NRS) recently conducted a survey focused on how rosacea impacts the social lives of patients. More than 575 rosacea patients took part in the survey, and 85% of the respondents said a flare-up of rosacea frequently or occasionally brings them unwanted attention. Ninety-one percent said this unwanted attention affects how they perceive themselves.

In a new NRS grant-funded study, researchers have found that ulcerative colitis, a type of digestive disorder, is two times more likely to be present in individuals with rosacea compared to those without rosacea.

The fact that certain foods can trigger a flare-up in some rosacea patients is well known. In reaction to these foods and other environmental factors such as sun exposure or extreme temperatures, the body releases substances that cause a chain reaction affecting skin that leads to flushing, inflammation and, for some, burning and stinging sensations. However, although the outcome may be the same, different foods trigger different processes, according to a presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology’s virtual annual meeting this year.

As COVID-19 vaccination rates rise in the U.S. and the restrictions and mandates of the past year are lifted, returning to socializing as we knew it prior to the global pandemic may seem overwhelming. Rosacea, which for many patients may be triggered by stress or anxiety, may make finding a new normal even more challenging. Here are a few tips for avoiding flare-ups as you re-enter society: