What happens when you aggravate rosacea? For those afflicted with this widespread disorder, contact with their personal trigger events -- which may include any of a wide array of environmental or lifestyle factors usually associated with flushing - can set into motion the physiological process whose outward signs are recognized as rosacea.

Q. Sometimes my rosacea flare-ups look like mosquito bites and itch. Is this common?

A. A rosacea flare-up is characterized by a more intense outbreak of redness, bumps or pimples. For some sufferers, the bumps caused by rosacea may resemble mosquito bites. For others, these bumps are generally redder in appearance. It is not uncommon for rosacea patients to itch from dry skin, which can be helped by using a moisturizer.

Q. Can being anxious or nervous contribute to a rosacea flare-up? I do a lot of public speaking and find my face sometimes gets red and swollen before an engagement.

A. Since anxiety and nervousness are forms of emotional stress, it's quite likely that the anticipation of your speaking engagement could result in a rosacea flare-up. In a National Rosacea Society survey of 602 patients, 88 percent said their rosacea often or sometimes flares up when they are under emotional stress.

Your skin looks great and you want to pack light, but before you zip your suitcase make sure you pack any rosacea medication prescribed by your physician, along with a mild cleanser, sunscreen and a hat to shield your face from the sun. Although you can leave town, there is no "taking a vacation" from rosacea.

Successfully managing this chronic disorder -- often characterized by remissions and flare-ups -- usually requires consistent long-term medical therapy as well as lifestyle changes to avoid factors that may aggravate the condition.

Although rosacea flare-ups are a common aspect of rosacea, patients are able to successfully control them with medication and by avoiding factors that aggravate their condition, according to a recent survey by the National Rosacea Society.

In the survey of 2,083 rosacea patients on the nature of flare-ups -- the reappearance or increased intensity of symptoms -- 32 percent said they experienced flare-ups frequently, while 55 percent said they experienced them occasionally and 12 percent reported they rarely or never experience this problem.

Coming down with a cold or suffering through allergies this spring may be bad enough. Making matters worse, these conditions also cause rosacea flare-ups in many individuals, according to a recent survey on rosacea and other medical conditions by the National Rosacea Society.

"Looking good" isn't just a concern of the young. Mature adults also want to make a good impression, and even those firmly established in long-term social relationships want to be at their best for social occasions.

Here are tips on how to avoid or cope with a flare-up that could imperil your social life.

• Be prepared. In the days before special occasions, take particular care to avoid lifestyle factors that affect your individual condition. Also be sure to use all medication as prescribed in the weeks before.

Rosacea may be incurable, but it doesn't have to be out of control. Medical therapy along with the right lifestyle choices can help you get a grip on this chronic but manageable disorder.

"People don't realize the variety of minor things that can increase blood flow in the face and aggravate rosacea," said Dr. Jonathan Wilkin, a leading authority on rosacea now with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "The right lifestyle plan combined with medication allow most patients to achieve substantial control."

The holidays should be a time of joy and celebration, but avoiding flare-ups during this festive time of year may be a particular challenge for rosacea sufferers. Not only do social, family and financial pressures create stress, but the colder climate and holiday eating can impact your rosacea. Here are some tips to keep flare-ups to a minimum: