Definition

Skin blushing or flushing is a sudden reddening of the face, neck and occasionally, upper chest.

Images:

Alternative Names

Blushing; Flushing; Red face

Considerations

Blushing is a normal response when a person is embarrassed, angry, feeling guilty, or experiencing some other strong emotion.

Flushing of the face may also be associated with certain medical conditions.

Common Causes

  • Extremes of emotion
  • Rapid changes in temperature
  • Hot or spicy foods
  • Rosacea
  • High fever
  • Alcohol abuse or alcohol intolerance
  • Medications such as Diabinese (for diabetics) and niacin (for lowering cholesterol -- sometimes contained in high-potency vitamins)
  • Menopause ("hot flush" -- due to a drop in estrogen levels)
  • Carcinoid syndrome

Home Care

Eliminate any triggers that you can identify. Try to avoid hot drinks, spicy food, extremes of temperature, and bright sunlight.

Call your health care provider if

  • There is continual and persistent flushing
  • Other symptoms, such as diarrhea, are present

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your skin blushing/flushing in detail may include:

  • Do you have facial flushing (blushing)?
  • Does it affect the whole body?
  • Are you having hot flushes?
  • Do you have flushing attacks?
  • How often do you have flushing or blushing?
  • Are episodes getting worse?
  • Are they getting more frequent?
  • Is it worse after alcohol intake?
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there diarrhea?
  • Is there wheezing?
  • Are there hives?
  • Is there difficulty breathing?
Review Date:7/22/2005
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.