What is facial flushing?
Facial flushing occurs when there is redness and a warm sensation that spreads rapidly across any area of the face or neck. It may also appear on the upper chest. It is also known as facial flushing.
Symptoms of facial flushing
Facial flushing usually appears on the face, neck and chest.It can also appear as spots or patches in particular areas of the face.
What are the causes of facial flushing?
Flushing occurs when there is increased blood flow to a particular area of the skin. As blood flow increases, the blood vessels in the area enlarge, causing the skin to appear flushed and/or red. It usually occurs after blushing, anxiety, stress or anger, but there are certain conditions that can cause reddening of the skin (although not necessarily in the face), such as:
- Menopause
- Hyperthyroidism
- Rosacea
- Cushing’s disease
- Erythema infectiosum or 5th disease.
Facial flushing appears on the face, neck and chest.
There are other causes of facial flushing such as:
- Alcohol intake
- Taking certain medications
- Eating spicy foods
- Skin infections
- Cluster headache
- Yellow fever
- Pyelonephritis or upper urinary tract infection
- Inflammatory conditions
- Fever
- Agoraphobia
- Scarlet fever or scarlet fever.
Can facial flushing be prevented?
If facial flushing is caused by certain triggers, avoiding these triggers may help decrease flushing episodes. For example, avoid direct sunlight, spicy food, or extreme heat or cold. If your flushing is caused by anxiety, perform relaxation and coping techniques as they can help decrease flushing episodes, as can breathing exercises.
If your flushing is difficult to control and you find that it does not improve with home management and coping exercises, make an appointment with your doctor.
Treatments for facial flushing
Treatment depends on the cause of facial flushing. For example, if it is caused by a particular disease, the condition should be treated rather than just the symptom. Talk to your doctor to determine which type of treatment would be right for you.
In some cases, when the redness is caused by the central nervous system, the application of a local injection of Botox can reduce facial redness.
What type of specialist treats facial flushing?
You can consult several specialists who treat facial flushing, although it depends on the causes of its appearance. For example, if the redness is related to the central nervous system, a vascular surgeon may be consulted. You may be referred to a dermatologist or an endocrinologist, depending on the condition. Before consulting with a specialist, it is recommended that you first visit your primary care physician to discuss your redness and your possible options.