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Leading dermatologists, ophthalmologists, researchers and others will answer questions about this chronic but treatable condition. New questions are answered every month, so be sure to check back regularly.

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Q My wife believes that our 10-year-old son might have rosacea. She is a sufferer, and he flushes a lot and has a lot of pimple-like bumps. Do children get rosacea?

A

Response from Dr. Amy Paller, chair, department of dermatology, Northwestern University:

While rare, cases of rosacea during childhood have been reported in the medical literature. Whether your son has rosacea or not, he may benefit from seeing a dermatologist for a proper examination, diagnosis and treatment as may be appropriate.

Be sure to tell the doctor about your wife’s rosacea, since the condition tends to run in families. Let the doctor know about his flushing, as this may or may not be present during the examination. Also, if your son experiences any eye discomfort, make sure the doctor is informed of this as ocular rosacea may be especially important to identify and treat during childhood.

Taking your son to a physician would be a wise move because the emotional toll of anything that affects the face can be high, especially during adolescence, when self-image is often closely tied to physical appearance. An accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment could not only benefit his emotional well-being, but may help prevent further signs and symptoms from developing.

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