Flushing
Alternative Names:
Blushing
Red face
Definition:
Flushing is characterized by a sudden reddening or blotchy, rash-like appearance of the face, neck, or upper chest, often accompanied by a burning or tingling sensation. In many people, flushing is a natural body response to strong emotions such as embarrassment, anger, or excitation. In other cases, flushing may be a result of underlying medical conditions, certain foods, medications, hormonal imbalances, or environmental factors that cause a sudden increase in blood flow to the face.
Symptoms:
Flushing can affect just the face and neck or it can encompass the entire body. Common symptoms of the condition include:
- A blotchy, rash-like appearance to the skin
- Itching
- Redness
- Sweating
- Tingling
- Warmth
Flushing that is accompanied by diarrhea, dizziness, wheezing, hives, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms may indicate a more serious condition such as anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical attention.
Exams/Testing:
Flushing is usually not a serious condition, and the symptoms generally disappear over time. A doctor may perform diagnostic tests if the flushing is accompanied by other symptoms that could indicate an underlying medical condition such as a tumor, hormonal instability, hypersensitivity reaction, or a breathing disorder. Urine tests, blood tests, and CT or MRI scans may be recommended to test for underlying conditions.
Outlook/Prognosis:
In most cases, flushing is not a sign of a serious condition and is simply a natural body response to external stimuli and usually not a cause for worry. If heat, spicy foods, sunlight, alcohol, or other factors are noticed to be causing the flushing episodes, these things can be avoided.
In patients whose flushing or blushing occurs frequently in social situations when certain emotions or anxiety is experienced, they may opt for a surgical treatment to treat their condition. An invasive surgical procedure called ETS (endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy) may be recommended for patients with excessive blushing problems or excessive sweating.
If flushing is accompanied by symptoms of diarrhea, wheezing, hives, or difficulty breathing, there could be more serious conditions affecting the body and a doctor will determine the appropriate treatment plan.
If flushing is found to be a result of carcinoid tumors, the tumor will need to be removed with surgery, and chemotherapy or Sandostatin injections may be recommended to stop tumor growth.
Causes:
Common causes of flushing include:
- Alcohol
- Anxiety
- Certain foods containing tyramine (aged cheeses, avocado, chocolate, eggplant, figs, grapes, nuts, oranges, pineapples, plum, processed foods, prunes, raisins, sauerkraut, soy, and others)
- Changes in temperature
- Exercise
- Extreme emotions
- High doses of niacin (vitamin B3)
- Hot or spicy foods
- Medications (especially those for diabetes and high cholesterol, or those that release histamine)
- Migraines
- Rosacea (a skin condition)
- Sexual arousal
- Sunlight
Other possible causes of flushing include:
- Allergic reaction
- Brain tumor
- Carcinoid syndrome (tumors of the small intestine, colon, appendix, and bronchial tubes in the lungs)
- Cholinergic urticaria (skin rash from hypersensitivity to body heat)
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Menopause
Causes (specific drugs):
-
May 9, 2011, 1:27 pm
-
May 6, 2011, 1:37 pm
-
May 5, 2011, 12:55 pm
-
May 4, 2011, 1:29 pm
