Rosacea is an inflammatory condition that causes skin redness, commonly on the face and neck. Rosacea in children is uncommon, and it is usually seen in adults. If a child has rosacea, they can have flare-ups that may become frequent and intense over time. Moreover, a delayed diagnosis could lead to issues such as pimples, pustules, broken blood vessels, and other skin conditions (1) (2). This non-contagious, chronic skin condition has no cure, but the right management steps can prevent the symptoms from worsening. Read this post to know more about rosacea, its causes, diagnosis, treatment, and effective prevention.
Is Rosacea Common In Children?
Rosacea rarely affects children and is more common in 30 to 60-year-olds. If your child has been experiencing temporary facial redness, it is more likely due to sun damage. In most cases, children with fair skin tone experience thinning of the skin due to sun damage, resulting in visible blood vessels around the cheeks (1) (3). However, a few children may show early signs of rosacea, such as flushed skin, redness of eyes and red, and swollen eyelids for long durations (4).
What Are The Causes And Risk Factors Of Rosacea In Children?
The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but the following could be the causative factors of this chronic condition (1) (5)
Abnormal immune system response Genetic factors Reaction towards mites and microbial organisms Blood vessel disorders Family history of rosacea Fair skin Sun exposure Scandinavian or Celtic ethnicity
Further, the following factors may trigger rosacea flare-ups and irritation (1) (6) :
Sun exposure Hot baths Spicy foods Extreme temperature Cosmetics Hot beverages Aerobic exercises Some medicines
What Are The Symptoms Of Rosacea In Children?
Rosacea is characterized by a series of clinical manifestations, which may vary among children. The common signs of childhood rosacea are (1) (4) (7)
What Are The Complications Of Rosacea In Children?
Untreated rosacea may result in the following complications (4) (8):
Permanent redness on the face
Acne-like breakouts
Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye’s outer membrane)
Rhinophyma (bumpy and bulbous nose due to swollen nasal sebaceous glands)
Partial or complete visual impairment due to progressed ocular manifestations of rosacea
How Is Rosacea Diagnosed In Children?
Rosacea is mostly diagnosed based on a physical examination and medical history. Occasionally, the medical care advisor may suggest blood tests to rule out the possibility of lupus (an autoimmune disease) (1) (9) They may also try to rule out other skin conditions such as acne, periorificial dermatitis (inflammation of the skin around the mouth), or allergies (4) (10) Skin biopsy may be required in severe cases, not responding to treatment.
What Is The Treatment For Rosacea In Children?
The treatment for childhood rosacea aims at managing the symptoms since there is no permanent cure. Your medical care supervisor may advise a combination of treatment plans for increased effectiveness. These may include (4) (11)
Medication: Based on the symptoms, the dermatologist may suggest gels or creams. Oral antibiotic therapy or topical steroids may help reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter medications may be ineffective in treating childhood rosacea and, hence, should be avoided.
Alternative treatment: If telangiectasia is observed, laser therapy may be advised to shrink the enlarged blood vessels. In case rosacea leads to rhinophyma, surgery of the nose may be recommended by the doctor.
How Can You Prevent And Manage Rosacea In Children?
Although your child cannot prevent the onset of rosacea, they can curb the flaring up of its symptoms. Here are some tips to help prevent rosacea in children (12) (13):
Stage 1: Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea Stage 2: Papulopustular rosacea Stage 3: Phymas Stage 4: Ocular rosacea
