#Cause of flushing skin#

A receptor is a cellular structure that accepts the molecular structure of a specific chemical agent, and then acts on nervous tissue to produce a physiological response. The researchers studied this process in microscopic cultures of cells and found that when one of the body's niacin receptors - cell surface protein GPR109A - is stimulated, both G-proteins and beta-arrestin proteins are activated.

#Cause of flushing skin#

While niacin deficiency leads to pellagra - a disease associated with skin problems, weakness and dementia - he noted that it has also been associated with severe flushing in individuals taking large amounts as a supplement. He noted that this substance is an essential vitamin found in an extensive range of foods, including foods reported to trigger rosacea flare-ups in some individuals, such as beef liver, yeast, avocadoes and spinach. 'Since niacin is often a trigger factor for flushing, it was important to investigate this response at the molecular level.' 'So little is known about the flushing responses in rosacea, and the first step toward their control is to understand the nature of their causes,' Dr. The new findings may lead to future improvements in the treatment or prevention of rosacea, which is commonly associated with flushing. Robert Walters and colleagues at Duke University and funded by the National Rosacea Society. Researchers have now identified the molecular pathway for flushing caused by niacin - also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, and found in many foods - according to a study recently completed by Dr.

Standard Management Options for Rosacea Patient Handout.