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?