Q. Not only do I have rosacea on my face, but I also have symptoms on my scalp. Is this common and how should it be treated?

A. While rosacea is primarily a disorder of the facial skin, it may also appear in other areas. In a survey of rosacea patients, signs and symptoms were reported by 15 percent of the respondents on the neck, 6 percent on the chest, 5 percent on the scalp and 4 percent on the ears.

Rosacea on the scalp may be treated with the same therapies used for facial manifestations. If hair makes topical therapy problematic, an oral medication may be prescribed.

Q. I have rosacea and I'm afraid my children will develop it when they become adults. Are there any preventive measures they can take?

A. While methods to prevent the onset of rosacea are unknown, the disease can be more effectively treated if detected early. There is evidence that rosacea tends to run in families. Although people of all backgrounds are susceptible, it appears rosacea may be reported at particularly high rates in individuals of Northern or Eastern European descent. Other factors for increased risk of rosacea are fair skin and a tendency to flush or blush easily. Individuals with these risk factors should be aware of the signs and symptoms of rosacea and seek early diagnosis and treatment if they appear.