Rosacea is a skin condition where the skin becomes red and flushed, sometimes with the appearance of tiny blood vessels in the cheek. According to a report, rosacea affects less than 5% of the world’s population. Interestingly, the majority of the population who are affected are light-skinned.
However, it also occurs in other skin complexions too. Although common it adults, children may be affected too. Most of the time, cases among children go unnoticed as it is often mistaken with other skin conditions that are more common with kids such as eczema, due to its similar symptoms. Rosacea can be present in tiny infants all the way up to adolescents. Rosacea may come and go but if left untreated can lead to further conditions. The stages of rosacea includes the blushing skin, development of the acne-like rashes as well as ocular rosacea. Ocular rosacea is a condition which rosacea affects the eyes making it red and irritated.
How do you know if your child has rosacea?
Parents might confuse rosacea with other skin problems or sometimes miss it completely. This is because for some children, rosacea may be present simply as blush on their skin. Please monitor your child especially if you notice a consistent flushing on their skin because it could be an early sign of rosacea. This could lead to a permanent redness on the face.
Here are some signs and symptoms you might want to look at to see if your child has developed rosacea:
- Consistent flushing or redness on the face, mostly at the cheek and forehead area
- Redness in the eyes
- Swollen eyelids
Until this very day, doctors and scientists still have no clear clue to what makes rosacea flare up in some children, but suspect genetic factor play a role. A kid with rosacea may have symptoms that flare up when they are stressed, angry, anxious or embarrassed. Environmental conditions such as wind, cold, humidity or heat may also exacerbate the symptoms. Other than that, spicy foods such as curry, chili, peppers and other spices and hot foods and beverages may contribute to the symptoms. Also aggravating are irritants like soap, cleanser, and sunscreen.
So..is there anything that you can do?
While there are no significant treatments for rosacea, you surely can reduce the signs and symptoms of it. If you feel your child may have the symptoms mentioned above, here are several things you can do to manage it:
- Take your child to the dermatologist for a check-up
- Be mindful of the factors that may trigger a flare up – could it be food or drinks, environmental, temperatures or contact with irritants like soap or detergent?
- Always apply sunscreen whenever your child goes out to play; pick a sunscreen that is light, won’t clog pores and is gentle on the skin – preferably one that is natural and for children
Here are natural remedies that help:
- Green tea – Green tea is high in antioxidants and rich in anti-inflammatory properties that may help to reduce flare ups. You can either prepare the green tea for your child to drink (make sure it’s not too hot) or apply it on the affected skin
- Aloe vera – Aloe vera is very moisturising and reduces redness while soothing it
- Kelulut Honey – Kelulut is very anti-inflammatory, and will help to moisturize and soothe out scarring if the area has been itched and inflamed
- Well Balanced Diet – Incorporate fresh foods with variety into your child’s diet. Choose foods high in vitamins and antioxidants as well as fiber. This may help to strengthen your child’s immune system and reduce the frequency of rosacea
The key is to control the condition from progressing – your child’s skin can be better with continuous management – so start early!
This article has been republished with permission from PurelyB
