Rosacea Beyond the Cheeks (Neck, Scalp, Jawline)
While rosacea is characterised by involvement of the central face (cheeks, nose, forehead, chin). Patients often ask whether it can affect other areas such as the chest and scalp.
When to suspect alternative diagnoses
It is very rare for rosacea to affect areas other than the face and in most cases other condiditoins are responsible. Poikiloderma of Civatte is a condition that affects the central upper chest. If redness and bumps are isolated to the jawline, consider acne. If the scalp is the primary issue, seborrhoeic dermatitis (which causes greasy scale and dandruff) or folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles) are more common.
How can I help
I see patients in person in central London. An in person consultation allows me to examine the skin directly including features that are difficult to capture in a photograph such as 3-dimensional changes and textural change. This is the better option where the diagnosis is uncertain, where previous treatment has not been effective, or where a procedure is being considered. For more straightforward conditions such as acne and rosacea a remote consultation with clear photographs can be a good option.
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