Rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that primarily affects the face, may not be seen as often in African Americans but it does happen. Unlike the extreme redness around the cheek, nose, chin and forehead areas characteristic of rosacea in other groups, Black skin may take on a more violet tone, with the face feeling very warm, said Dr. Denise Buntin, a dermatologist.
READ: Dark Spots Around Your Cheeks & Neck: How Harmful Are They?
According to Dr. Buntin, “The need for early treatment is especially important in black patients because there is a danger of hyperpigmentation — darkening of skin color — in those areas of the facial skin where inflammation has appeared.”
There is no cure for rosacea and flare ups and remissions can occur regularly. While some creams and oral medications may work to reduce these symptoms, there are some alternative treatments which can help you be more proactive in managing your rosacea.
1. Change your diet. Incorporating organic fruits and vegetables can help decrease some of the inflammation which causes rosacea. Organic fruits and vegetables serve several purposes. They help to lower your stress, provide you with some protection around sun damage, and reduce the amount of toxins and chemicals you consume, all factors which can cause flares and breakouts.
READ: 8 Stress-Related Health Problems
2. Stress less. Stress is a trigger for rosacea flare ups. Incorporate more relaxing activities like meditation and yoga into your daily routine to help manage stress levels.
3. Choose healthy fats. There are many natural oils which can decrease your rosacea flare ups and help with the hormone production which can increase inflammation and breakouts. These include olive, coconut and avocado oils. Flaxseeds and chia seeds are some additional options.
READ: 5 Foods That Cause Inflammation
4. Be selective in your protein intake. Protein is part of having a balanced diet, but make sure you are paying attention to the quality and types of protein you eat regularly. Salmon is a great option, as it is anti-inflammatory and is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Beans are another option. And, if you are going to eat beef, choose the grass-fed option.
5. Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake. Caffeine, sodas, alcohol, and energy drinks can worsen your rosacea. They also tend to increase the appearance of the redness associated with rosacea. While some people are impacted by their caffeine intake more than others, try to temporarily eliminate or lessen these items from your diet to see if it helps to decrease your symptoms.
If you have inflammation associated with your rosacea, aloe vera gel, raw honey, tea tree, lavender, rosemary and chamomile are some options you can use to decrease inflammation. When using these oils, make sure you try one at a time. Start in a small area of your skin to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction and mix it with ½ teaspoon of jojoba oil or coconut oil 2x a day.
Rosacea can be a frustrating to manage. But, if you treat it holistically through your diet and lifestyle habits you can better manage your symptoms and lessen your flare ups.
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