BARRINGTON, Illinois (August 9, 2004) - The National Rosacea Society has introduced an innovative consumer booklet called the "Rosacea Diary" to help rosacea patients find and avoid environmental and lifestyle factors that may trigger or aggravate their individual cases of this conspicuous facial disorder estimated to affect 14 million Americans.

"The new diary booklet is an excellent tool for the management of rosacea because of the vast array of everyday things that can potentially exacerbate this disorder in various individuals," said Dr. Richard Odom, professor of dermatology at the University of California at San Francisco. "Identifying these factors is an individual process, however, because what may cause a flare-up in one patient may not in another."

The new booklet features diary pages that include a checklist of the most common environmental and lifestyle factors that may trigger rosacea flare-ups, and allows space for listing other factors that may also affect individual cases. By completing the form at the end of each day, including the condition of their rosacea, rosacea patients can identify and then avoid or minimize any factors that may trigger or aggravate their signs and symptoms.

Available at no charge, the new "Rosacea Diary" booklet can be obtained by writing the National Rosacea Society, 111 Lions Dr., Suite 216, Barrington, Illinois 60010, calling the society toll-free at 1-888-NO-BLUSH or via e-mail at info@rosacea.org. Health professionals may also order bulk quantities for use as handouts to patients with rosacea. The new booklet was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Stiefel Laboratories, Inc.

In a recent National Rosacea Society survey of 1,066 rosacea patients, 81 percent of respondents reported sun exposure triggered a flare-up, 79 percent reported emotional stress, while 75 percent reported hot weather. Other triggers identified in the survey include wind (reported by 57 percent), heavy exercise (56 percent), alcohol consumption (52 percent), hot baths (51 percent), cold weather (46 percent), spicy foods (45 percent), humidity (44 percent), indoor heat (41 percent), certain skin-care products (41 percent) and heated beverages (36 percent). In surveys of rosacea patients who identified and avoided their personal triggers, more than 90 percent reported that their condition had improved.

Rosacea is a common but poorly understood facial disorder that affects an estimated 14 million Americans and is often characterized by exacerbations and remissions. A chronic condition that primarily affects the cheeks, chin, nose or central forehead, rosacea typically first appears at any time after age 30 as a flushing or redness that comes and goes. Over time, the redness may become ruddier and more persistent, and visible blood vessels may appear.

Without treatment, bumps and pimples often develop, and in many people the eyes feel irritated and appear watery or bloodshot. In severe cases, the nose may become swollen and enlarged from excess tissue. This is the condition that gave the late comedian W.C. Fields his trademark red bulbous nose.

The National Rosacea Society is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of people with rosacea by raising awareness, providing information and supporting research on this widespread and potentially life-disruptive disorder. More information on rosacea is available on the society's Web site at www.rosacea.org.