Interview transcription:

In an interview, Dr Penelope Pratsou discusses whether it is possible to prevent rosacea flare-ups and if lifestyle modifications can help to protect your skin.

Is it possible to prevent rosacea and are there any lifestyle modifications that one can take in order to avoid rosacea flare-ups?

Penelope Pratsou: It’s probably not possible to completely avoid getting rosacea in the first place. There are a lot of factors that play into it, and certain people are going to get it while others aren’t. There’s certainly a lot of things that can flare up rosacea and things that you can do to protect your skin and prevent flare-ups. First of all, 95% of people that have rosacea are photosensitive, or they’re sensitive to sunlight, so that means that their rosacea might flare up more in the summer months. You must protect your skin, and especially your face from the sun, all year round with sunblock or a hat.

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Penelope Pratsou: In addition to that, we notice that certain people with rosacea tend to flare up as a result of alcohol, especially red wine, that’s a big culprit, and sometimes with caffeine or spicy foods. If you find that one of these things is affecting you and avoiding those foods and drinks will prevent rosacea flare-ups, then it makes sense to try and avoid them. Now extremes of temperature can also cause flare-ups. That’s more tricky to avoid, but there are things that we can do to help with the redness and the flushing that can come from those extremes of temperature.

If you notice that you have any of the symptoms or conditions that we’ve just discussed, we invite you to book a consultation with Dr Penelope Pratsou. She’ll be able to assess your condition and give you a personalised treatment plan.

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About the author

Dr Penelope Pratsou | Consultant Dermatologist

MBChB, MRCP (UK) (Dermatology)

I’m Dr Penelope Pratsou, a skilled independent Consultant Dermatologist based in Berkshire. I have specialist expertise in the diagnosis and management of all skin cancers, and in performing mole checks. I’m a trained skin surgeon and remove skin cancers, moles, skin tags, cysts and warts.

I also have invaluable experience in dealing with all skin conditions, from the common skin complaints of acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, to the rarer and more complex skin problems, having seen it all through years of NHS work.

After I obtained my Membership to the Royal College of Physicians, I undertook rigorous specialist training in dermatology, before being appointed as a Consultant Dermatologist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. There, I helped set up and lead a busy clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of suspected skin cancer. I was also actively involved in supervising and training both dermatology and GP trainees.

Alongside my increasingly busy private practice, I have maintained an NHS practice in Oxford in order to continue to engage with challenging cases and to develop my specialist interest in skin allergy.