And when she says long, she means it. According to the survey done by the society, some 30-plus foods have the ability to cause flare-ups. These findings are further supported by research, including a 2021 literature review that found common trigger foods included the more obvious ones (alcohol and coffee) but also several foods that are otherwise considered good for you, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, bananas, peas, yogurt, and even surprising histamine-rich foods like avocado, dried fruits, and spinach.
So what can be done? Well, there are amazing topicals you can lean on, such as azelaic acid and oat extracts, to help reduce redness. You can also get your fill of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which research shows can play something of a protective role. And of course, you can visit your dermatologist for prescriptions to help manage symptoms.
Ultimately, given how extensive the list is, you can’t and shouldn’t avoid everything on it. But it is about finding a balance. “It comes back to the question of is rosacea dangerous? So if a person drinks coffee and they have a slight flush, is that dangerous? No, it’s really not,” she says. “But if a person is in a state of flare-up more often than they’re not, or if they are covered with pimples, or perhaps they have ocular rosacea where their eyes sting, then we have a problem because you really don’t want to be in a state of inflammation for a prolonged period of time.”
