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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

The cause of rosacea is unknown, but researchers believe it's likely due to some combination of hereditary and environmental factors.

A number of factors can aggravate rosacea or make it worse by increasing blood flow to the surface of your skin. Some of these factors include:

  • Hot foods or beverages
  • Spicy foods
  • Alcohol
  • Temperature extremes
  • Sunlight
  • Stress, anger or embarrassment
  • Strenuous exercise
  • Hot baths, saunas
  • Corticosteroids
  • Drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications

One thing is certain — alcohol doesn't cause rosacea. Although drinking alcohol can lead to flushing of the skin and may worsen rosacea, people who don't drink alcohol can get rosacea.

References
  1. Goldstein BG, et al. Rosacea. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
  2. What is rosacea? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rosacea/rosacea_ff.pdf. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
  3. Rosacea. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_rosacea.html. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
  4. Information for patients. The National Rosacea Society. http://www.rosacea.org/patients/faq.php. Accessed Sept. 23, 2010.
DS00308 Nov. 16, 2010

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