Random face flushing/rash - Allergies Message Board

Neca · 02-18-2004, 11:32 AM

Does anyone know/experience this:

When I get nervous/stressed my face sometimes flushes and I can feel the blood running to my head. Seconds later I will experience parts of my skin on my face turning a shade of red, developing blemishes that can last anything from 10 seconds to 5mins. These blemishes strangely enough almost always occur in the exact same places on my face: my chin area and around the jawline. I also feel my heart-rate increase quite rapidly and this can occur when I am just sitting still. When I exercise I don't suffer from any of this, my face may turn a little red which is what naturally happens with everyone but it never gets patches/blemishes of redness.

It's so annoying and embarrassing especially when you are in a crowded area. I noticed that when I am in a stuffy environment/area, it seems to make the problem worse and I will immediately suffer a reaction. It is so embarrassing if I have to speak infront of alot of people and if I get nervous, having blemishes just looks so strange. Everyone looks making the whole damn problem worse. It can even happen when I bend down to pick something up, I just feel this sudden rush of blood again to my face (but it always occurs with high heart rate).

Today scared me even more because I had a reaction and the ENTIRE side of my face (my chin, right cheek and right temple) was covered with this blotchy rash. It was terrible but then it went away after about 2 minutes. My heart was pounding.

I suffer from mild-moderate acne and urticaria so does anyone think this could be urticaria related, thyroid related, stress related? May it have something to do with me steaming my face for so many years that I have permanently widened the capillaries under my skin on my face? I also noticed that I had been fine for a week and hadn't suffered any reactions. During this period I had not shaved once but last night I shaved and put on some after-shave, could this be what caused it? I'm not entirely sure because I washed my face this morning so the after-shave would no longer be present on my skin

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It seems like my problem is becoming progressively worse which is very worriying. If anyone has experiences this do they know of any treatments? I'm currently not taking any antibiotics or other medications. Thanks for any help.

Neca · 02-20-2004, 12:22 PM

Can anyone relate or post some advice please?

CheerAngel · 02-20-2004, 12:30 PM

Hi, I hope I do have some very good advice but I don't really know what could be wrong. Maybe someone with similiar symptoms or experience might post to you soon. There are some conditions like lupus where patients develop this 'butterfly' rash at their face. Maybe the widened capillaries could have made blood flow to your face more easily... It's best to go see a dermatologist if the problem persists and is unbearable.

Crossbow · 02-24-2004, 10:54 AM

Flushing easily and getting raised bumps and redness are symptoms of Roseacea, although that isn't usually just on one side of the face. You need to ask your doctor or dermatologist.

Neca · 02-25-2004, 08:45 AM

Thanks very much for your advice guys. If it is Rosacea that would really be awful. I'm a guy in my early twenties so wouldn't it be surprising if it was Rosacea? I thought it mainly occured when you were much older at least 35 yrs old and is more common amongst females? Also, I have reasonably tanned/Olive skin and I also read somewhere that Rosacea mainly occurs amongst people who have pale skin? I'm not sure how accurate my assumptions are so please correct me if I am wrong.

What are the treatments for Rosacea and once you have it, is it stuck with you for the rest of your life using only 'cure' measures rather than 'preventative' ones that will minimise the problem? Thanks again for your help.