Topical Steroids as a Cause of Acne Rosacea in Children

Research has suggested that rosacea can be caused in children, and therefore lead to adult outbreaks, by the use of steriods.One study's conclusion was that oral and topical steroids, even of the lowest potency can induce rosacea in children. Low-strength steroids were noted as causing Rosacea in more than half of the patients in their case study.

Steroid-induced acne rosacea was in these cases treated with an antibiotic. When topical metronidazole was used to treat steroid rosacea, eight to 14 weeks of therapy were required to clear the lesions. If the use of steroids are suspected as the cause of childhood rosacea complete and abrupt discontinuation of these products is recommended.

Adult Rosacea

While the above evidence is suggestive of a specific cause for rosacea in children the same cannot be said in most cases of adult rosacea. Various medical journals point to no one specific cause for this chronic skin problem. However there a a number of profiles can suggest who is more susceptible to suffer from rosacea

There are strong signs that ethnicity is a factor in the development of rosacea. In one survey by the National Rosacea Society the results were:

• 33 percent of respondents reported having at least one parent of Irish heritage.
• 27 percent had a parent of English descent.
• Scandinavian, Scottish, Welsh or eastern European descendants had elevated rates of rosacea

Cause of Acne Rosacea Theories

While the exact cause of rosacea is unknown several theories exist to explain its origins.

• Rosaca is related to a disorder of the blood vessels. This may explain why rosacea sufferers have a history of the tendency to flush (blush).
• Changes in skin bacteria or an infection of the stomach by Helicobacter pylori may play a role.
• Microscopic skin mites have been linked by some studies.
• A malfunction of the connective tissue under the skin.
• Psychological factors may contribute to the cause.