Rosacea may be incurable, but it doesn't have to be out of control. Medical therapy along with the right lifestyle choices can help you get a grip on this chronic but manageable disorder.

The holidays should be a time of joy and celebration, but avoiding flare-ups during this festive time of year may be a particular challenge for rosacea sufferers. Not only do social, family and financial pressures create stress, but the colder climate and holiday eating can impact your rosacea. Here are some tips to keep flare-ups to a minimum:
 

By Kathy Stern's recollection, it all started at the age of 46 when she decided to try a new facial cream containing alpha hydroxy acids, which help remove dead skin cells and make skin smooth. At first, said Stern, her skin never looked better. Then, everything went awry.

"I switched brands and almost immediately my chin started breaking out, then my cheeks. The women at the cosmetic counter said this redness sometimes occurs when you first use these products."

A recent survey of 2,052 rosacea sufferers conducted by the National Rosacea Society provides evidence that this chronic skin condition runs in families, and that people of some nationalities are more likely than others to develop the disorder.

Nearly 40 percent of the respondents indicated they had a family member who also suffered from rosacea. For 27 percent, that family member was a parent. Eighteen percent had a brother or sister suffering from rosacea, while 13 percent had a grandparent with the disease and 16 percent had an aunt or uncle who was affected.

You've been diagnosed with rosacea, but you're still confused -- perhaps you've tried certain medications to no avail, and you're not sure whether your facial redness and bumps are due to too much sun or to something you ate. You'd like to talk to someone to get some advice.

A dermatologist, a physician who specializes in dealing with the skin and its diseases, is the health-care professional best qualified to accurately diagnose your condition and determine the best course of medical treatment.

Q. I suffer from regular acne in addition to rosacea. Is this common?

Green makeup is not only appropriate for Halloween. Rosacea sufferers may find it effective in camouflaging their facial redness, pimples and visible blood vessels, according to Dr. Diane M. Thiboutot, assistant professor, Division of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, during a presentation on difficult rosacea cases at a recent meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.