The redness in the face can have various origins ranging from simple shyness or the consumption of alcohol, to serious illnesses. It is recommended to consult a doctor to identify the cause.

We talk about redness in the face, facial erythema or erythrosis, when the skin of the face takes on a color that can range from more or less bright red to purple, or even bluish. They’re more common in people with fair skin, but this can vary depending on the cause.

The redness can affect a localized region (such as the nose, cheeks, forehead, or even the chin) or extend over the entire face. Depending on their origin, they can be temporary and last only a few moments, or, on the contrary, they can settle over time, for days, weeks, or even months.

In some cases, other symptoms can accompany the redness in the face, such as:

• swelling
• a feeling of heat;
• itches ;
• pains ;
• or even lesions of the skin.

The redness is due to dilation of the blood vessels in the skin at the level of the dermis layer, below the epidermis.

Face flushing can be a normal body response to strong emotions such as embarrassment, anger, excitement or stress.

Certain behaviors or situations can also be the cause of redness in the face, for example:

• exercise ;
• consumption of alcohol or spicy food;
• taking certain medications;
• exposure to high temperatures (weather, sauna, jacuzzi, ect.);
• insect bites;
• menopause (during hot flashes).

Redness in the face can also be a sign of various illnesses. These include:

• Rosacea or rosacea: it is a skin disease that generally appears after 30 years and develops gradually. It most often affects the nose, cheeks and sometimes also the chin and forehead;
• acne: Inflammation caused by acne pimples can be responsible for red patches on the face. Acne is more common in adolescence during menstruation or during pregnancy;
• allergies: an allergic skin reaction, such as hives, can manifest as red patches on the face;
• systemic acute lupus erythematosus: it manifests as an erythema with varying degrees of facial edema and a characteristic so-called “wolf” shape (on the nose and cheekbones);
• dermatomyositis: it is a genetic disease characterized by redness and edema of the face. In this case, the face takes on a particular complexion, more of a lilac color;
• seborrheic dermatitis;
• blood diseases and in particular cancers, such as leukemia;
• mastocytosis: these are rare diseases that affect a particular type of white blood cell in the skin (mast cells).

Redness of the face is an unpleasant symptom that is accompanied by aesthetic inconvenience and can cause discomfort in society. If they are not taken care of by a doctor, people who blush strongly in the face of emotions or those who have a disease that causes redness risk, in the long term, withdrawal into oneself.

The doctor must first identify the underlying cause which is at the origin of the redness in order to propose an adapted treatment.

If you’re prone to blushing, try to avoid the behaviors that cause it. For example, avoid stressful situations, hot drinks, spicy foods, extreme temperatures or exposure to the sun.