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Leading dermatologists, ophthalmologists, researchers and others will answer questions about this chronic but treatable condition. New questions are answered every month, so be sure to check back regularly.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Q Does eating spicy foods contribute to a permanent worsening of rosacea?
AResponse from Dr. Jonathan Wilkin, former director of dermatology products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, pioneer researcher on flushing and leading expert on rosacea:
Spicy foods can cause flushing and rosacea flare-ups in many individuals, and frequent occurrence may contribute to a worsening of rosacea. Like the air in an inflated balloon, the greater volume of blood in the facial blood vessels that is present during flushing results in greater tension on the blood vessel walls, as well as on tissue that holds the vessels in place. If repeated, vessel walls and supporting tissue may lose their elasticity, resulting in a worsening of rosacea, including persistent redness and/or swelling that may not clear as quickly as in the past.
NOTE: In a National Rosacea Society survey of more than 1,000 individuals with rosacea, 45 percent reported that spicy foods caused rosacea flare-ups in their individual cases. In another patient survey, food items reported to commonly trigger rosacea included hot peppers, Mexican-style foods, chili, salsa, hot sausage and Cajun-style foods, while specific ingredients or seasonings found to be common rosacea tripwires in the surveys included hot sauce, chili powder, red pepper and cayenne.
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