Don’t forget these essentials when preparing for your next trip to the dermatologist. The more organized you are, the more productive the visit can be.

Timeline and description of symptoms. Bring a list of any signs or symptoms you’re experiencing and/or how your skin has changed since your last visit. Make note of when symptoms or changes started and what, if anything, makes them better or worse.

While our culture offers many opportunities for instant gratification, unfortunately the management of rosacea is not one of them. 

“Patients should give any new treatment at least 12 weeks to do its job,” said Dr. Julie Harper, president and owner of the Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham and a member of the NRS medical advisory board.

If you’re traveling this season, don’t forget to pack these rosacea essentials. If you’re flying, consider putting them in your carry-on rather than checked bags. Keeping up your skin care routine while avoiding stress and other triggers will help you to enjoy your time away and keep flare-ups at bay.

Your Prescriptions. Consistent use of medications is important to keep symptoms from flaring up, so make sure to pack them with your other daily use items.

Winter is coming, and it’s time to expect the unexpected. Whether you reside in the frozen north or the milder south, the coming of winter may pose difficulties for those with rosacea, both outdoors and indoors. Here are some steps to help prevent flare-ups as the cold weather begins to take hold:

Ocular rosacea signs and symptoms may include itching, burning and stinging; inflamed eyelids and styes; red or bloodshot eyes; a gritty feeling; and visible blood vessels on the eyelids or whites of the eyes. The meibomian glands, which secrete an oil that helps tears keep the eye moistened, may become clogged, causing tears to break down faster and leading to dry eye. As the condition worsens the cornea may become damaged, leading to loss of visual acuity.

Each year, the National Rosacea Society (NRS) designates April as Rosacea Awareness Month to educate the public on the impact of this chronic and widespread facial disorder that is estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans.

“The earliest signs of rosacea are often overlooked because people assume they are temporary and will go away,” said Dr. John Wolf, chairman of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine. “Unfortunately, without medical treatment the effects of rosacea often persist and become increasingly severe.”

As the weather turns to fall and winter, rosacea patients often face a different set of trigger factors that may exacerbate their individual conditions. Here are some tips on how to avoid rosacea triggers during the changing seasons.

Update Your Triggers List. Identify and avoid seasonal triggers by keeping a diary to match potential culprits and any flare-ups you may experience. The NRS provides a free “Rosacea Diary” booklet, and you can also use the Notes app on your smartphone to record triggers and flare-ups as they occur.

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:

With in-person events canceled and many people working from home due to the pandemic, video calls have become more common in our lives than ever before. This can be particularly challenging for those dealing with a flare-up of rosacea signs and symptoms. Here are a few tips for making this challenging social circumstance nothing more than simply routine.

Walking and hiking are great ways to exercise and enjoy the best that nature has to offer this summer. Before burning some sneaker rubber, consider these tips for reducing the rosacea triggers that might cross your path: