Visibly, it is characterized by chronic facial redness of the upper body. Other common symptoms include blood vessels, bumps or pimples, watery irritated eyes, and occasional lobulated nose. Rosacea can be found on the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, chest, ears and scalp of affected individuals.

Certain activity, foods and environmental stimuli can initiate symptoms of rosacea. Other common triggers are temperature changes such as going from prolonged cold environment to warm, cold wind, anxiety, stress, sunburn, skin cleansing products, topical skin creams and lotions, alcohol, caffeine, high histamine foods and spicy foods.

Heredity also plays a role in whether or not someone will experience rosacea breakouts. Unfortunately, there is no confirmed medical explanation for this irritable skin condition and no cure. Once a person is properly diagnosed by a dermatologist prevention and or treatment can begin.

Most health practitioners can help you determine your triggers which will help in preventing breakouts. Typical prevention techniques are avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight, use of gentle skin care products and possibly preventing long exposure to cold environments to avoid skin from drastic temperature changes when entering warm environments. They may also recommend avoiding certain foods, covering skin in cold wind, reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption.

Medical treatment with the use of antibiotics can be prescribed in severe cases but due to several uncomfortable side effects, these are last resort methods. Most medications only decrease symptoms short term and do not prevent outbreaks. Antihistamines are sometimes recommended but there is no proof that they have any effect on the symptoms of rosacea.

On the other hand, there are many healthy alternatives to easing symptoms of rosacea. Some dermatologists prescribe sulfur treatments (frequently used in acne treatments). Alternative health practitioners might recommend trying a low light/single wavelength laser therapy to reduce redness and irritation.

White clay is an ancient treatment commonly used in Asia to soothe sore irritated skin and reduce redness. It softens the skin and smoothes out bumps and un-even skin tone. It can also cleanse the skin from many different pollutants, chemicals, viruses and bacteria. In traditional eastern medicine white clay powder is used in a facial mask or an herbal compress to ease these symptoms. However applied, white clay cools the skin, decreasing redness and calms inflammation; therefore easing pain.

These types of treatments are commonly used in high end spas and skin care clinics throughout North America. The Cool-si-laa is an herbal pouch containing white clay and other traditional herbs from Thailand. Rosacea sufferers can purchase this item to use at home for instant results. This compress is chilled in cool water and simply applied to the affected area. It is quick and easy to use and can be used multiple times.

By Lana Cummings