Q. If you have acne as a teenager, are you more likely to get rosacea as an adult?

A. While both conditions may cause pimples, no relationship has been established between teenage acne and rosacea. In fact, many rosacea patients have reported that they had always enjoyed exceptionally clear complexions prior to developing this disorder.

Although rosacea has sometimes been referred to as "adult acne," it is a distinctly different and longer lasting disease than acne vulgaris -- "teenage acne" -- and requires different therapy.

While acne vulgaris is especially common during adolescence, rosacea usually first strikes after age 30. However, unlike teenage acne, rosacea is associated with facial redness and flushing, and does not usually have open comedones (otherwise known as blackheads).

Q. Can rosacea spread to the neck or other areas of the body?

A. While rosacea is primarily known as a disorder of the facial skin, it has also been reported to appear on the scalp, neck or torso -- although the frequency of this is undefined. However, rosacea does commonly affect the eyes. In ocular rosacea, the eyes feel gritty and may tend to appear bloodshot. If you are experiencing signs or symptoms in areas other than your face, consult your doctor for diagnosis and appropriate therapy.