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A cheeky diagnosis

Ludi Ge, Alicia A O'Connor, Margit M Polcz and Deshan F Sebaratnam
Med J Aust 2016; 205 (11): . || doi: 10.5694/mja16.01002
Published online: 12 December 2016

Santa’s rosy complexion is charming but is it a sign of disease?

Santa Claus is a central figure in the celebration of the Christmas tradition across the world. Classically depicted as elderly and rotund, with twinkling eyes and sporting a long white beard, one of his other notable physical attributes is his rosy cheeks. Certainly this could be physiological, but there are features of his lifestyle which allude to pathological causes of malar erythema.


  • Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW


Correspondence: d.sebaratnam@hotmail.com

Acknowledgements: 

We thank Catherine Polcz for creating the figure that accompanies this article.

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

  • 1. Toholka R, Wang YS, Tate B, et al. The first Australian Baseline Series: recommendations for patch testing in suspected contact dermatitis. Australas J Dermatol 2015; 56: 107-115.
  • 2. Sebaratnam DF, Lim AC, Lowe PM, et al. Lasers and laser-like devices: Part II. Australas J Dermatol 2014; 55: 1-14.

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