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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe cause of rosacea is unknown, but researchers believe it's likely due to some combination of hereditary and environmental factors.
Though the exact causes of rosacea remain a mystery, 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. While the consumption of alcohol can lead to flushing of the skin and may worsen rosacea, people who don't consume alcohol at all still can get rosacea.
- Questions and answers about rosacea. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rosacea/rosacea_ff.pdf. Accessed Sept. 11, 2008.
- Rosacea. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/Rosacea.htm. Accessed Sept. 11, 2008.
- van Zuuren EJ, et al. Systematic review of rosacea treatments. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2007;56:107.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Rosacea. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 11, 2008.
- Habif, TP. Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In: Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby, Inc; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/104473933-3/746280137/1195/43.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50009-1_567. Accessed Sept. 11, 2008.
- Colloidal silver. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Emu oil. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Laurelwood. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Oregano. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Vitamin K. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
