Q. I can't seem to identify any specific rosacea triggers. What is the best way to find what might be bothering my condition?

Q. My rosacea seems to get worse in the fall and spring. Why would this be so?

For many, summer is the most awaited time of the year with its promise of sunny weather and outdoor activities. Yet for 14 million Americans with rosacea, it may be a season of despair unless special precautions are taken to prevent rosacea flare-ups.

Weather conditions are a substantial factor in aggravating symptoms in most rosacea sufferers, according to a new survey by the National Rosacea Society. Fortunately, protective measures are nearly always effective in reducing these effects.

In the recent survey of 683 rosacea sufferers on weather-related tripwires, 88 percent of rosacea sufferers in areas with severe weather said outdoor activities during cold periods worsened their rosacea, and nearly half of the respondents even in areas with mild weather said outdoor activity during the cooler months had caused flare-ups.

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.

Q. As a rosacea sufferer, which region of the United States is best to live in to avoid tripwires related to weather and climate?

Unlike the lyrics in the Gershwin song, when it's "summertime" the living can be anything but easy for rosacea sufferers. Fortunately, while it's the season when rosacea tends to heat up just like the outdoors, most of these problems can be overcome with proper precautions.

In a National Rosacea Society survey of more than 700 rosacea patients, 71 percent said their condition was affected by changing seasons and 57 percent named summer as the time when their rosacea is at its worst.