Rosacea in Teens and 20s
Rosacea is most commonly diagnosed in middle age, but it can and does affect younger people, including teenagers and young adults. In the last year I have seen several patients in their 20s with severe rosacea which had previously been diagnosed as acne. In this age group there is often an overlap with acne which can make the diagnosis more challenging.
Can young people really get rosacea or is it just acne?
Yes, young people can certainly get rosacea. While less common than in older adults, a genetic predisposition can cause symptoms to appear early.
How can early rosacea be distinguished from breakouts?
Particularly in younger patients, the diagnosis may be subtle and is not always associated with classic features such as facial flushing and background redness.
If a diagnosis of acne has been made but there is not response to first line treatments it is always important to question the diagnosis and consider other diagnoses. See Differential Diagnosis of Rosacea.
Related articles
Revessa Health
The Online Acne & Rosacea Specialists
