14 yr old with red cheeks...rosacea??

My daughter, age 14...Cheeks frequently get very red and flush looking. They will often get very warm to the touch and she states they "sting".  This occurs at various times and is not limited to after exercise, fever, specific foods,etc. She does not have a severe acne problem, in fact really only gets blemishes on her forehead. Her skin tone is olive and hair color dirty blond. She has beautiful clear skin otherwise.  Redness has been occurring for the last 12 to 16 months and appears to be becoming a darker red than initial outbreaks.  This will last from 15 minutes to and hour or more.

Medical history includes shingles, migraines,light asthma, epstein-barr twice. No real health issues and no regularly taken medication. She is physically active but redness is not limited to exertion or exercise. Frequently just appears out of nowhere.

Any ideas or suggestions on the cause and/or treatment would be helpful. Does rosacea affect people of this age group?  Is this a normal occurance in teens? What would make it "hot to the touch" and "feel like it stings?"

Thank you for any help you can give.
Melanie

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Some people are "blusher-flsuhers."  This means their face gets red at the drop of a hat, either from hot liquids, caffeine, spices, or nothing at all.  Such people are prone to rosacea later in life, but don't necessarily get it then or ever.

It is possible that your daughter has a component of eczema as well, to explain the stinging and other sensations.  I recommend a visit to a dermatologist for evaluation and possibly a trial of medications to treat these symptoms.

People who blush tend to get embarrassed when others say, "Heavens!  Are you OK???"  For some, minimizing or hiding the flushing are useful strategies.  This involves looking out for triggers (hot liquids, etc.) and avoiding them when there are going to be public situations), and the use of green-tinted makeup.  Green hides red better than flesh tints, and doesn't look "makeupy."

The flushing does not have any systemic significance (blood pressure, etc.)

Best.

Dr. Rockoff