Childhood Rosacea: Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Insights into an Underestimated Pediatric Condition.
7 affiliations
- 1Pediatric Dermatology, Dermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy.
- 2Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
- 3Unit of Dermatology, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Lucca, Italy.
- 4Interdisciplinary Unit of Pediatric Dermatology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium.
- 5Department of Pediatrics, AZORG Hospital, Aalst, Belgium.
- 6Pediatric Dermatology Unit, 1st Pediatric Clinic, Athens University, Agia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
- 7IASO Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Abstract
Introduction
Rosacea is a very frequent skin disease; however, its prevalence in children is underestimated, and there are not enough data on this dermatosis in the pediatric population.Objective
This study aimed to give comprehensive insight into childhood rosacea (CR), pointing out predisposing factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic clues, and therapy of this subgroup of the disease spectrum.Methods
This is a narrative review of the existing data on rosacea in children.Results
Children affected by rosacea often present with recurrent erythema of the convex areas of the face as an early sign of the disease, mostly occurring after cold/heat/sun exposure or triggered by crying/playing/exercise. Phymatous lesions do not occur in children, and Morbihan disease has been very rarely reported. On the other hand, special rosacea subtypes, such as periorificial dermatitis, granulomatous rosacea, or idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma, are observed more often in children. The diagnosis is usually made based on the clinical picture; however, dermoscopy, and in some cases other imaging techniques, may aid the diagnosis. It is still a matter of debate whether a child affected by rosacea will become an adult with rosacea over time. The holistic approach to therapy of rosacea in children should include in particular the avoidance of triggering factors, proper skin care, and finally, adequate pharmacological treatment. Although procedural therapeutic options are frequently used in adults, their use in children should be tailored to the patient's age and discussed with the parents or caregivers.Conclusion
Rosacea may also occur in children. Therapeutic options do not significantly differ from those in adults; however, they must be adjusted to the child's age.
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BibTeX
@article{piccolo2026childhood,
title = {{Childhood Rosacea: Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Insights into an Underestimated Pediatric Condition.}},
author = {Vincenzo Piccolo and Julia Nowowiejska-Purpurowicz and Andrea Bassi and Dirk Van Gysel and Alex Alexopoulos and Talia Kakourou and Caterina Mariarosaria Giorgio and Giuseppe Argenziano},
journal = {Dermatology practical \& conceptual},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.5826/dpc.1603a7924},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42858413},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Childhood Rosacea: Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Insights into an Underestimated Pediatric Condition.
AU - Vincenzo Piccolo
AU - Julia Nowowiejska-Purpurowicz
AU - Andrea Bassi
AU - Dirk Van Gysel
AU - Alex Alexopoulos
AU - Talia Kakourou
AU - Caterina Mariarosaria Giorgio
AU - Giuseppe Argenziano
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/31
JO - Dermatology practical & conceptual
DO - 10.5826/dpc.1603a7924
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42858413
AB - Introduction Rosacea is a very frequent skin disease; however, its prevalence in children is underestimated, and there are not enough data on this dermatosis in the pediatric population.Objective This study aimed to give comprehensive insight into childhood rosacea (CR), pointing out predisposing factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic clues, and therapy of this subgroup of the disease spectrum.Methods This is a narrative review of the existing data on rosacea in children.Results Children affected by rosacea often present with recurrent erythema of the convex areas of the face as an early sign of the disease, mostly occurring after cold/heat/sun exposure or triggered by crying/playing/exercise. Phymatous lesions do not occur in children, and Morbihan disease has been very rarely reported. On the other hand, special rosacea subtypes, such as periorificial dermatitis, granulomatous rosacea, or idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma, are observed more often in children. The diagnosis is usually made based on the clinical picture; however, dermoscopy, and in some cases other imaging techniques, may aid the diagnosis. It is still a matter of debate whether a child affected by rosacea will become an adult with rosacea over time. The holistic approach to therapy of rosacea in children should include in particular the avoidance of triggering factors, proper skin care, and finally, adequate pharmacological treatment. Although procedural therapeutic options are frequently used in adults, their use in children should be tailored to the patient's age and discussed with the parents or caregivers.Conclusion Rosacea may also occur in children. Therapeutic options do not significantly differ from those in adults; however, they must be adjusted to the child's age.
SN - 2160-9381
ER -