The most common causes are emotional reactions, rosacea, consumption of certain foods and drinks such as alcohol and rosacea. These often combine to explain flushing:
• Emotional flushing is an easy diagnosis to make; the flush appears when one is embarrassed or emotionally upset and disappears completely as soon as the cause of the stress has disappeared.
• Certain spices (pepper, paprika), drinks or alcohols can be responsible for flushing. They are usually easy to highlight and avoiding them will prevent the flush.
The weather can play on the skin, it is not uncommon to have reddened skin in winter, sensitive skin or not. It is normal for the skin to tingle and feel tight, the cold can cause redness to appear on the cheekbones. Low temperatures activate blood circulation and make the skin sensitive, the wind can accentuate the phenomenon.
Exposure to high temperatures such as strong summer heat, a session in the sauna, jacuzzi can result in the appearance of redness on the face and rashes.
• Allergies can be responsible for flushing or scratching. The skin is the part of our body in contact with the outside, the materials, the cosmetics, it is possible that it reacts badly in contact with a product that it does not like or a garment whose materials do not not agree. There is no age to declare an allergy, children and babies can be affected, as well as older people. If the skin turns red on contact with a product or material, it is an allergic reaction. Insect bites can trigger redness, in this case the erythema is centered by a bite point.
• Rosacea is another frequently found cause, of genetic and hormonal origin, it affects around 45 million people all over the world. Rosacea is characterized by flushing of the face but also by other signs such as persistent redness. UV exposure appears to aggravate rosacea, as do extreme hot or cold temperatures, very dry or very humid air .
• Acne can cause redness on the face. This skin disease, which is particularly common in adolescence, can also mark adult skin or pregnant women during pregnancy.
• An attack of urticaria leads to rashes, red patches and itching. This often genetic disease can also be due to a blood abnormality, certain diseases and taking medication. Cold, heat, or foods high in histamine (found in aged cheeses, salty meats, and alcohol) can trigger some hives symptoms.
• Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that is triggered when the epidermis has been in contact with an allergen. All skin types can be affected by contact eczema, which results in the appearance of rosaceous plaques, crusts and oozing blisters. Redness often appears on the face and around the eye. It is common for babies and children to be affected by eczema, this disease can lessen with age and time.
• Other biological mechanisms can lead to excessive sensitivity: alteration of the skin barrier, oxidative stress and hyperactivity of the cutaneous nervous system.
Flushes can be disturbing, it can be useful to consult a doctor or a specialist in dermatology. The latter can help identify the cause, understand the manifestations of erythema to better treat the rash and follow its evolution, avoiding lesions.