Stress Can Affect The Rosacea Picture

The role of stress in the rosacea picture is very clear.Stress is the body's reaction to a perceived threat which is shown by a red face. Adrenaline and hormones are released, and the nervous system is activated, sharpening our senses, but simultaneously our pulse rises, our muscles tense and our immune system begins to shut down. Our sympathetic nervous system is in the "fight or flight" position or "charged to meet the goal". Many rosacea sufferers notice a flushing of the face as adrenal acid is added to the body system. Those who can "not relieve stress" as needed may experience fatigue, upset stomach, and frequent headaches in addition to rosacea redness or flushing, acne pimples, rosacea papules (without pus)and seborrheic dermatitis. To offset the sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic system needs to rest and restore the body for normal living and for the next 'fight or need of energy for conflict'. The proper alkaline foods and water helps so very much in buffering or alkalizing the many acids we encounter. Long term stress can contribute to family breakdown, job fatigue, with resulting long term health problems such as depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, and rosacea.

When the body becomes stressed from many causes, even dehydration, the adrenal cortex converts adrenal androgens to testosterone in BOTH men and women, resulting in overactive sebaceous glands. In the normal female, the ovaries produce 25% of the testosterone and 75% is converted from adrenal androgens. Women only have 10% of the testosterone that men have. Men have thicker skin and muscles than women and can handle much more testosterone. Under stress, however, the adrenal androgen conversion can almost double the testosterone in both men and women. This causes the T zone of the face to become oily, while other areas are still dry from dehydration. Adult acne and rosacea is sometimes a by-product of stress and/or dehydration. Water and estrogen calm the “body’s stress alarm system”. Both facial redness and rosacea are caused in part by high calorie carbohydrates (pastas, breads) and sugar spiking from all sweet foods. Most of us have heard of kids bouncing off the walls with hyperactivity after eating high sugar foods. So, if you think of things that give you a high burn rate, high energy, or foods that would most likely add fat to your body, and you will be able to identify the worst culprits which are always "acidic": foods and beverages that stimulate the sebaceous gland system and thus cause more oil and redness. Stimulants such as coffees, teas, soft drinks with caffeine, alcohol beverages and chocolates also stimulate this system, causing further facial redness, oily skin and rosacea. Consuming more water helps us to reduce reddening and sebaceous gland oils.