Facial Flushing: Why Your Face Turns Red

Hello. Today, I'd like to discuss the causes of facial flushing and a red face. Facial flushing describes a state where the face is red, so it is not a diagnosis in itself. The causes of facial redness are very diverse, so even if you have facial flushing, the treatment method may vary depending on the underlying cause. However, a common point to be aware of is that the skin may inherently be sensitive or have underlying inflammation. Therefore, it is important to avoid factors that can irritate facial skin as much as possible, and to control various situations that can exacerbate inflammation.

Causes of Facial Flushing

The causes of facial flushing or redness are diverse:

• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Rosacea
• Allergic skin, contact dermatitis
• Drug reactions
• Menopausal symptoms
• Atopic dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Acne, post-inflammatory erythema (red marks from acne)

The conditions listed above can be causes of facial flushing. As you can see, the causes are very diverse, so a single treatment cannot manage all forms of facial flushing.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

This describes the appearance when seborrheic dermatitis occurs on the face. It typically presents as red and oily, but can also be accompanied by dryness or scaling. It may also involve a sensation of heat. Since seborrheic dermatitis can also manifest on the scalp, including the forehead, it's necessary to carefully examine the affected areas.

Sensitive Skin

This typically presents as redness on both cheeks. It falls under the sensitive skin type. It often reddens after cleansing, in many cases due to excessive cleansing. Emotional flushing can also accompany it, causing the face to become redder when experiencing tension or stress. It is important to strengthen the skin barrier so it can robustly withstand irritation.

Drug Reactions

This is a manifestation of drug allergy. Inflammation appears as red papules, similar to acne. Because it resembles acne, it is necessary to carefully check the patient's drug history. Allergic reactions are often accompanied by itching, which can be a distinguishing factor from acne.

Atopic Dermatitis

This describes the manifestation of atopic dermatitis. The skin becomes dry and red, and it is common for atopic symptoms to appear not only on the face but also on the body, making it relatively easy to distinguish from other forms of facial flushing. This type of facial flushing should be treated according to atopic dermatitis treatment protocols.

Psoriasis

This is psoriasis appearing on the face. It is characterized by white scales on a red base. Compared to atopic dermatitis, itching is generally less severe, but in cases of severe inflammation, psoriasis can also be accompanied by itching. Facial psoriasis is often accompanied by scalp psoriasis. It is necessary to simultaneously check for psoriatic lesions on the scalp, behind the ears, and other areas. Particularly for psoriasis, an autoimmune disease, when it affects the face and scalp, the prognosis is relatively poor, often leading to prolonged treatment periods.

How to Get Rid of Facial Flushing?

For facial flushing, it's important to identify factors that can worsen symptoms and manage lifestyle effectively:

• Avoid spicy or irritating foods as much as possible.
• Symptoms can worsen in environments with drastic temperature changes, so wear light, layered clothing to maintain a stable body temperature.
• Sufficient sleep also helps.
• Avoid factors that can irritate the skin.
• Wearing heavy makeup or vigorously scrubbing the face during cleansing can actually irritate the skin.
• It's best to apply light makeup and cleanse gently with a mildly acidic cleanser.

Facial flushing is often fundamentally associated with the pattern of "heat above, cold below" (상열하한) in traditional Korean medicine. This refers to a situation where the body's thermal balance is disrupted, causing "deficient heat" (허열) to rise to the Upper Jiao (face, head, and scalp), leading to a sensation of heat, while the Lower Jiao (hands, feet, lower abdomen, and knees) feels cold. In severe cases of "heat above, cold below," strengthening the heart-kidney interaction (心腎相交), addressing deficient heat, and balancing body temperature are important treatment considerations for chronic facial flushing.