Rosacea Review - Newsletter of the National Rosacea SocietyRosacea Review - Newsletter of the National Rosacea Society

Published by the National Rosacea Society.
Editor: Dr. Julie Harper, president and owner, Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham
Managing Editor: Andrew Huff

Rosacea Review is a newsletter published by the National Rosacea Society for people with rosacea. The newsletter covers information pertaining to the disease and its control, including news on research, results of patient surveys, success stories, lifestyle and environmental factors, and tips on managing its signs and symptoms. To receive Rosacea Review by mail, please join the NRS. You can also sign up to receive the newsletter by email.

Spring 1999

Rosacea Awareness Month Aims To Demystify Widespread Disorder

Rosacea's symptoms have been described in literature and depicted in art for more than 700 years, yet this common but little-known condition remains a mystery to most Americans. April was designated Rosacea Awareness Month by the National Rosacea Society to increase public understanding of rosacea and encourage people who may suffer from the disorder to seek professional diagnosis and appropriate therapy.

Survey Finds that Rosacea Flare-Ups Are Common but Can Be Controlled

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.

Protection Tips for Changing Seasons

Many physicians report that spring is "rosacea season," since the changing weather can bring so many rosacea tripwires to the forefront. Here are tips for minimizing the impact of the changing seasons on your condition.

  • Limit exposure to wind and cold. When spending more time outdoors, avoid windy or cold days, and cover your face with a scarf when necessary.

She Was Clueless to the Cause of Her Sensitive Red Face

At first Bennie Chung, a 23-year-old woman from Hong Kong, had no clue why her skin appeared to be so sensitive, flaring up from time to time. She thought it was a condition she inherited. Her 50-year-old mother, in fact, had the same red face.

But as the condition worsened, she knew she had to find some answers. "We thought we might be suffering from an allergy," said Chung, who normally had very fair skin. "We bought a lot of different cosmetics to fight against the way we looked."

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