You've been following your doctor's orders for prescribed medical therapy and have made lifestyle changes to avoid trigger factors -- and you look terrific. Then you stop using the therapy and go back to a carefree lifestyle. And your rosacea returns with a vengeance.

"Rosacea is often characterized by remissions and flare-ups," said Dr. Diane Thiboutot, professor of dermatology, Pennsylvania State University.

A poster presented at a recent meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology by Dr. Ronald Marks, professor emeritus at the University of Wales, raised the question of whether subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic) rosacea can be distinguished from sun-damaged skin.

Dr. Marks observed that patients with sun-damaged skin often exhibit facial redness and visible blood vessels, which are also symptomatic of subtype 1 rosacea.

Before being diagnosed with rosacea at age 25, Jacquelyn Carlton attributed her constant red face to the sun, heat and high blood pressure. Living in Florida, the weather is usually sunny and warm and her primary doctor told her it was her blood pressure that also kept her face red.

The festive holiday season is approaching and, although it is a time of joy and celebration, rosacea patients must be extra diligent in avoiding flare-ups during this time of year. Here are some tips for getting through the upcoming holidays and keeping rosacea at bay:

Q. Is there any evidence that certain vitamins help control rosacea?

Medical scientists from around the world heard updated reports on advances in the understanding of the potential causes and other key aspects of rosacea at the National Rosacea Society (NRS) research workshop held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology in St. Louis. The NRS conducts the annual workshop to promote interest in rosacea research and to share new information from ongoing studies.