Lifestyle Changes to Combat Rosacea

The Effects of Alcohol on Rosacea

Alcohol is another vascular dilator. It's best to avoid alcohol or at least minimize alcohol intake. Alcohol is a diuretic; that is, it pushes water out of body cells, causing increased urine production resulting in dehydration. Dehydration has two effects on rosacea: dehydration causes increased facial redness and it causes the skin's pores to shrink, making them more prone to clogging. Also, alcohol inhibits sleep, causing more fatigue and stress, which lead to more rosacea symptoms. A rosacea sufferer who drinks alcohol should follow it with much water to hydrate the body and prevent rosacea flare-ups.

The best way to avoid this type of flushing or vascular dilation is not to drink any alcohol! All alcohol is fermented, but because beer and wines (red wine being the worst) are not further distilled, they can cause allergy redness for many rosacea sufferers. Alcohol is a diuretic which pushes water out of the body cells. In this state of "dehydration", the body is prone to flushing. Alcohol is a concentrated source of calories and is metabolized very quickly. This causes the blood vessels to dilate causing redness.

If you feel you need to drink alcohol at social functions or to relax, here are some recommendations to minimize the flushing effect:

Avoid beer as it is higher in carbohydrates, however, if you like beer; drink your domestic beer from your own country as it is usually sold within six weeks of production. Foreign beers imported into your country usually have preservatives which make for more redness. Domestic 'light beer' usually does not have as many carbohydrates and less alcohol content making it the beer of choice.

Wine is heavy in carbohydrates and even higher in preservatives/sulfides and alcohol causing more flushing with the red wines usually being the worst for most of us. If you prefer wine, a white wine would be best.

It is better to drink small amounts of gin, vodka or whiskey, diluted with water instead of sugared soft drinks or mixes which also can stimulate the cardiovascular system. A good choice would be a Long Island Ice Tea substituting the mix with water and diluting it. Small amounts of gin are frequently less stimulating than vodka or whiskey. You should "chase" any alcoholic drink with water.

Although these recommendations can help to minimize rosacea flushing, still the best thought is "not to drink any type of alcohol." Even though alcohol sedates, it can prevent a good night sleep as the alcohol stimulates the brain.

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Good health for your skin as well as your entire body may require a permanent lifestyle change that will reward you with a longer life and more beautiful skin to wear during those extra years.

Rosacea flushing is a complex interaction of several systems. Each of the following factors may affect your skin's appearance. CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE SYSTEMS...

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This page last updated: March 12, 2010