Rosacea is a skin condition that can be embarrassing for some because your face can look like a tomato with so much red on your cheeks, chin, and neck. However, it is doubly embarrassing when the red touches your nose because not only will your schnozzle try to make a Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer impression, but it could also grow in size due to inflammation. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the swelling and even the redness so you don’t have to worry about Santa hitching you onto his sleigh.

Here are some rosacea treatments you can use on your nose:

Protect yourself from the sun

Sunlight is one of the most notorious rosacea triggers. Try to avoid it as much as you can or wear a hat when you’re doing outdoor activities. You can also protect your nose by applying sunscreen on your face, and apply as well on your whole body. Also, make sure that your sunscreen has SPF 30.

If you find that you’re allergic to sunscreen, don’t fret because you can try sunscreen lotions with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide or both, which are much safer for your skin. Try not to go out between midday and 3PM because those are the times when the sun is really cooking. If you don’t have to go out at that time, better just stay indoors. The reason for your red nose could also be how you clean your face.

Rosacea can also be triggered when you use strong astringents on your face. The chemicals in these cleaning agents can trigger your condition. That's why it's better to use milder soaps or better yet, some natural treatments for your skin.

Some well-known rosacea natural treatments include chamomile, green tea (you can actually use the tea as a skin wash), coconut oil, raw honey (kanuka honey is said to be the most effective remedy) or aloe vera. Also, if you’re going to wash your face, don’t dry it off by wiping a towel across your nose. Rather, pat your face dry so that you won’t scrape your epidermis.

Lasers work

If your rosacea is quite severe, you could opt to use lasers to minimize the redness and the swelling. Light-based treatments can effectively eliminate blood vessels that have become enlarged due to rosacea. However, it’s important to consult a physician first before you take this route since they are the ones who will decide whether or not laser treatment is the best option.

Don’t stress yourself

Stress is also one of rosacea triggers. Try to relax or avoid any stressful situations (of course, that’s easier said than done). One effective way to relieve your stress is to practice meditation. Meditation has long been a popular tool for relieving stress as most yoga practitioners can attest to that. You can join a yoga class and learn how to properly meditate so that you can avoid triggering your rosacea.

These are just some of the ways you can avoid triggering your rosacea and therefore avoid turning your nose into a clown’s nose. Try following these suggestions and you’ll be able to manage your rosacea more effectively.