Facial Redness: Mega-thread for all types of redness/flushing

I wouldn't say "that skin type" is quite the right way to put it; it sounds more like some form of dermatitis to me.
I’m certainly no expert, but I deal with something very similar—the skin around my nose flakes off in waves. It starts out red, looking almost like lichen with raised edges that feel rough to the touch, itchy, and stinging. Sometimes it even spreads toward my mouth.
Being "brilliant," I assumed it was just dry skin and started using Johnson's Baby cream 😁, which actually made the flare-up much worse! Usually, after a few days, the intense redness and itching subside, leaving behind nothing but extremely rough, peeling skin. Then, I might be fine for weeks or months, or I might get stuck in a cycle like this where I struggle with it for months on end.
My dermatologist thinks it's likely seborrheic dermatitis, especially since I get dandruff (though without the redness I thought always accompanied it), along with itching on my scalp and around my ears—sometimes even inside them. There are moments when it feels so overwhelming that I feel like I'm literally falling apart or dealing with something much worse, like scabies.🤷
The area around my nose is definitely the most noticeable, though the scalp issues are starting to drive me crazy too. It’s at its worst during the winter, though even sweating in the summer doesn't seem to help much. I was prescribed a cream—I can't recall the name, but I think it's an antifungal—and I've been avoiding corticosteroids for now. My doctor also suggested watching my diet, since apparently saturated fats and sugar can trigger dermatitis, and the chlorine in the water really irritates me; my redness always gets much worse right after a shower.
At the end of the day, I really don't think it's just a matter of skin type. There might be some experts here on the forum who can weigh in and explain things better than I can, but I wanted you to know that you aren't alone in this struggle.🙂

Thanks for the reply. I've been lurking on some forums lately and it looks like a ton of people are dealing with the exact same stuff... but honestly, it seems like everyone’s prescription is totally different—probably because there are just so many different things that could be causing these flare-ups in the first place. It's a massive headache, especially when you consider how much money you're basically throwing at trying out random products just to see if anything actually sticks. It's just... yeah, incredibly frustrating.

Forgive me if there's already a thread covering this exact topic.

I've been struggling with facial redness for quite a few years now, dealing with everything from peeling skin to constant stinging sensations. I've actually sat through two separate appointments with a dermatologist regarding this issue. Before my first visit, I was using Elocom, but she told me to cut that out immediately and prescribed a milder regimen involving Johnson's Baby and another cream. During my second follow-up, since the redness just wouldn't budge, she switched me over to a product from La Roche-Posay—which, to be fair, is just the name of the pharmaceutical brand.
They gave me this little tube, but from what I can tell after two weeks of consistent use, there hasn't been any noticeable change at all. It's also pretty damn expensive.

I’m under no illusions; I know a complete cure is basically impossible because it’s all tied back to stress, alcohol consumption, diet, and all that other nonsense.
Still, I haven't managed to find a single decent medication that actually manages to dial down the redness even a little bit.

I'm certainly no medical genius, so if anyone here has actually dealt with this and found something that works, I’d truly appreciate you sharing your experience.

@Susan Parker2

so, based on what you've been through, what actually triggers it for you? have you ever gone for those allergy panels? maybe an IgE blood test?

like, does your skin freak out over certain chemicals—you know, cosmetics, laundry detergent fumes in the house, whatever—or is it more about stress, or the Sun, or specific foods (which ones?), or even just shifts in the weather?

and how old are you, roughly? how’s your health generally... things like BMI, blood pressure? any meds you're currently on?

does the redness come with itching and some surface swelling, or is it just intense flushing? can you actually see capillaries with the naked eye? does it always pop up in the same spots on your face or body? is there a seasonal thing going on with it?

...

Tyler James5 said:@Susan Parker2

so, based on what you've been through, what actually triggers it for you? have you ever gone for those allergy panels? maybe an IgE blood test?

like, does your skin freak out over certain chemicals—you know, cosmetics, laundry detergent fumes in the house, whatever—or is it more about stress, or the Sun, or specific foods (which ones?), or even just shifts in the weather?

and how old are you, roughly? how’s your health generally... things like BMI, blood pressure? any meds you're currently on?

does the redness come with itching and some surface swelling, or is it just intense flushing? can you actually see capillaries with the naked eye? does it always pop up in the same spots on your face or body? is there a seasonal thing going on with it?

...

Best,

It’s been ages since I last did any testing; I had a childhood allergy to penicillin, but nothing since then.

I haven't really tracked whether food triggers anything or not. As for skincare, I occasionally use Neutrogena, but I don't notice any reaction to it. Before I started using this French cream, I remember using Oranogel as part of a treatment plan my dermatologist prescribed. If anything, that might have been the most helpful thing I've tried, though it didn't provide any definitive results.

If I had to guess, the redness definitely flares up more during the summer.
For instance, if I go a few days without applying moisturizer, my skin starts peeling. It feels tight and incredibly dry, which then leads to a stinging sensation.

I'm 22. My blood pressure is fine, though it runs a little low sometimes. I'm rarely seriously ill and don't take any regular medication.

The redness always hits the exact same spot (I can send a photo if needed). Occasionally, a tiny dot about half the size of a period will appear that's much redder and looks slightly swollen, which causes a bit of a sting.
I wouldn't call it simple blood flow; I can't see any visible capillaries at all.

Susan Parker2 said:Best,

It’s been ages since I last did any testing; I had a childhood allergy to penicillin, but nothing since then.

I haven't really tracked whether food triggers anything or not. As for skincare, I occasionally use Neutrogena, but I don't notice any reaction to it. Before I started using this French cream, I remember using Oranogel as part of a treatment plan my dermatologist prescribed. If anything, that might have been the most helpful thing I've tried, though it didn't provide any definitive results.

If I had to guess, the redness definitely flares up more during the summer.
For instance, if I go a few days without applying moisturizer, my skin starts peeling. It feels tight and incredibly dry, which then leads to a stinging sensation.

I'm 22. My blood pressure is fine, though it runs a little low sometimes. I'm rarely seriously ill and don't take any regular medication.

The redness always hits the exact same spot (I can send a photo if needed). Occasionally, a tiny dot about half the size of a period will appear that's much redder and looks slightly swollen, which causes a bit of a sting.
I wouldn't call it simple blood flow; I can't see any visible capillaries at all.

Those old tests don't mean much now. You should probably just ask your primary care doctor for a referral for an allergy skin prick test. If we're talking atopic dermatitis—you know, that crazy immune response that isn't even triggered by direct contact with the allergen or irritant—then oral antihistamines and topical immunomodulators work wonders (check out this thread, it's pretty short: But, uh, heads up... you can't use those if there's actually a fungal infection involved.

Susan Parker2 said:Best,

It’s been ages since I last did any testing; I had a childhood allergy to penicillin, but nothing since then.

I haven't really tracked whether food triggers anything or not. As for skincare, I occasionally use Neutrogena, but I don't notice any reaction to it. Before I started using this French cream, I remember using Oranogel as part of a treatment plan my dermatologist prescribed. If anything, that might have been the most helpful thing I've tried, though it didn't provide any definitive results.

If I had to guess, the redness definitely flares up more during the summer.
For instance, if I go a few days without applying moisturizer, my skin starts peeling. It feels tight and incredibly dry, which then leads to a stinging sensation.

I'm 22. My blood pressure is fine, though it runs a little low sometimes. I'm rarely seriously ill and don't take any regular medication.

The redness always hits the exact same spot (I can send a photo if needed). Occasionally, a tiny dot about half the size of a period will appear that's much redder and looks slightly swollen, which causes a bit of a sting.
I wouldn't call it simple blood flow; I can't see any visible capillaries at all.

Ketoconazole is an antifungal, and you seriously have to stick with it for a long time and be super consistent for it to actually work. I'm not sure what you mean by "helped"... like, did it help for a couple of days or a couple of years? If it's a fungal issue, you absolutely cannot quit halfway through the treatment (a photo would definitely help clarify things here).

With all these different ways to treat it, figuring out what's actually causing the redness is the most important part first.

I used Oranozol until I ran completely out—so, for about a month, applying it twice a day.

According to my dermatologist, some people are just more prone to this than others. On top of that, certain things tend to flare up the redness, like spicy food, stress, alcohol, and so on...

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=30j69gn&s=6

Susan Parker2 said:I used Oranozol until I ran completely out—so, for about a month, applying it twice a day.

According to my dermatologist, some people are just more prone to this than others. On top of that, certain things tend to flare up the redness, like spicy food, stress, alcohol, and so on...

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=30j69gn&s=6

Yeah, that bolded stuff? It basically makes any dermatitis way worse because it just dilates your capillaries... definitely skip it. What else should I watch out for...? 🤷.

Look, at the end of the day, some people are just built different when it comes to getting sick... some folks catch every single bug that flies through the air while others seem practically bulletproof. It’s just how it goes. Honestly, complaining about it doesn't really change the hand you were dealt...

To me, what I'm seeing in this photo looks like allergic hives, but honestly, the quality is kind of blurry... It's hard to tell for sure. You should definitely get a prick test done and ask for an IgE blood panel (RIST and RAST) just to be safe...

In the meantime, you really gotta start paying attention to what’s going on right before those flare-ups hit... it’s all about the triggers. I'm talking about essential oils hiding in perfumes, or maybe someone just used some Clorox to scrub the bathroom, or even certain foods... could be nickel in your silverware, some jewelry, or even that leather jacket you love. It honestly could be anything at all... Doing a little digging for yourself wouldn't hurt, either. Have you ever messed around with antihistamines? Honestly, it might be worth giving them a shot...

...

Not really. What exactly falls under the category of antihistamines?

Before I can actually get this sorted—assuming I even can—is there anything I can use to temporarily mask this redness?

@Susan Parker2 -

Check out this info on antihistamines here:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hives/articles-20103527

Basically, these are just meds meant to dial down the allergic reaction. If you're dealing with an acute hives flare-up like this, your regular family doctor can prescribe them. They're all pretty much in the same ballpark, but because of those tiny little differences, you really gotta find the specific one that actually works for *your* body. For instance, Claritin isn't even on that list, but honestly? It’s the only thing that ever touches my symptoms...

As for covering it up with makeup, you've got a bit of a situation there. When the inflammation is this intense, your skin starts acting totally erratic and hypersensitive—I mean, even plain water might sting at this point. So, trying to slather concealer over it is probably a bad move... it'll likely just drive you crazy how much it irritates everything.

Dry, cold compresses can help a bit, but that's just a quick fix, really. You've gotta figure out what's actually triggering this so you can treat the root cause instead of just chasing symptoms.

...

Tyler James5 said:@Susan Parker2 -

Check out this info on antihistamines here:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hives/articles-20103527

Basically, these are just meds meant to dial down the allergic reaction. If you're dealing with an acute hives flare-up like this, your regular family doctor can prescribe them. They're all pretty much in the same ballpark, but because of those tiny little differences, you really gotta find the specific one that actually works for *your* body. For instance, Claritin isn't even on that list, but honestly? It’s the only thing that ever touches my symptoms...

As for covering it up with makeup, you've got a bit of a situation there. When the inflammation is this intense, your skin starts acting totally erratic and hypersensitive—I mean, even plain water might sting at this point. So, trying to slather concealer over it is probably a bad move... it'll likely just drive you crazy how much it irritates everything.

Dry, cold compresses can help a bit, but that's just a quick fix, really. You've gotta figure out what's actually triggering this so you can treat the root cause instead of just chasing symptoms.

...

I suppose I have no choice left but to head in for allergy testing. If they don't find anything conclusive, then I'm truly at a loss.

In the meantime, should I start taking something like Allegra now, or would it be wiser to wait until my test results come back?

@Susan Parker2 - it all really boils down to when you can actually get in for the testing. if they don't have an opening for you for a few months, then maybe grab some antihistamines now—just check with your primary care doctor first, obviously—and see if it actually does anything for you. but if you can snag an appointment in just a couple of weeks? yeah, skip the meds, because you don't want them messing with your results

...

Fine, whatever you say.

Susan Parker2 said:I used Oranozol until I ran completely out—so, for about a month, applying it twice a day.

According to my dermatologist, some people are just more prone to this than others. On top of that, certain things tend to flare up the redness, like spicy food, stress, alcohol, and so on...

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=30j69gn&s=6

The photo is a bit blurry, so it's hard to tell.
1. Is this exact same "redness" showing up on both cheeks? On your forehead? Anywhere else on your body, or just general skin changes?
2. Did this pop up out of nowhere, or did it kind of creep up on you over time?
3. Did it start during puberty, or was it even back when you were a kid?
4. Does anyone else in your family deal with similar "redness" (mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles...)?
5. Do your joints ever ache—like your hands, knees, or ankles—without any obvious reason why?
6. Do your joints ever swell up, or maybe feel warm and painful?
7. Do you ever wake up with stiff fingers in the morning (with no real cause, like heavy manual labor) where you have to basically "work them out" before they actually function properly?
8. Is there a history of rheumatic or autoimmune diseases in your family?
9. Any issues with your heart?

velvetmoose9 said:The photo is a bit blurry, so it's hard to tell.
1. Is this exact same "redness" showing up on both cheeks? On your forehead? Anywhere else on your body, or just general skin changes?
2. Did this pop up out of nowhere, or did it kind of creep up on you over time?
3. Did it start during puberty, or was it even back when you were a kid?
4. Does anyone else in your family deal with similar "redness" (mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles...)?
5. Do your joints ever ache—like your hands, knees, or ankles—without any obvious reason why?
6. Do your joints ever swell up, or maybe feel warm and painful?
7. Do you ever wake up with stiff fingers in the morning (with no real cause, like heavy manual labor) where you have to basically "work them out" before they actually function properly?
8. Is there a history of rheumatic or autoimmune diseases in your family?
9. Any issues with your heart?

It’s mostly symmetrical, though sometimes one side flares up more than the other. It doesn't show up anywhere else on my body.

2. Did this happen suddenly, or was it gradual?

Honestly, I really don't know.

3. During puberty, or even back in childhood?

Roughly since I was 15. Though, looking back at some old photos from elementary school, I can faintly see the early outlines of the redness—it's subtle, but it's there.

4. Does anyone in your family have similar "redness" (mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles...)?

As far as I know, no, but I'll double-check.

5. Do your joints ever ache—like your hands, knees, or ankles—without any obvious reason?

No.

6. Do your joints ever swell (and/or feel warm and painful)?

No.

7. Do you perhaps experience morning stiffness in your fingers (with no clear cause, like heavy physical labor), where you have to "work them out" before they function properly?

No.

8. Has anyone in your family suffered from rheumatic or autoimmune diseases?

I don't think so.

9. Do you have any heart problems?

No.

I'll post a clearer photo tomorrow.

Alright, let's call this "encouragingly NO" 😉 because I’d say you can pretty much bet on this being just a cosmetic issue where most likely there isn't anything actually serious going on behind the scenes.
It’s probably just structural, you know, how your skin is built—if you look at Exhibit A from back in elementary school (just ask your folks about that redness you used to get, they'll probably remember)
I’m not totally sold on the idea that antihistamines are going to make a massive dent in the redness, though I guess it might make sense to start taking something like 2-3 weeks before you head out and then keep it up while you're soaking up the Sun, but hey, it doesn't cost you much to try some Xyzal or Zyrtec for a couple of weeks. If it actually helps significantly? Awesome, even better!
Try to steer clear of any food or drinks that tend to flare up your redness (which I'm sure you already know by now), and it definitely makes sense to grab a facial sunscreen with a slightly higher SPF for the summer—though, fair warning, there's always a chance a certain cream could actually make the redness worse, so if you're picking a specific one, you might want to run it by a dermatologist first.

Now, here's something you won't find in any medical textbook, but in my experience, "masking" the issue a few times has helped quite a bit in similar situations—using a decent quality gel or an alcohol-free aftershave can provide some temporary relief. Just keep in mind that any gel or cream could potentially aggravate things, so you're basically playing the trial-and-error game here... It's definitely worth asking a seasoned dermatologist about it, though.
The bottom line: maybe—occasionally—temporarily—consult a dermatologist.

For years, I struggled with breakouts—just way too many pimples that I couldn't seem to shake. Then, I happened to spot some Proactiv at a CVS and used it consistently for a couple of months. The results were great; the acne cleared up completely, leaving only the occasional tiny spot. But now, I’ve run into a new issue. My skin is peeling excessively, and there's this large red patch that stings whenever I touch it or wash my face. I did see a doctor, and she prescribed Clindamycin and Sonny, but I can't help feeling like they might not be the right fix. Has anyone else dealt with this? Does anyone know what might be causing this reaction?

What I’m about to say is just the opinion of a complete amateur. 😁

It could be anything... do you sleep face-down in your pillow? How often are you swapping out your pillowcases?

I dealt with something pretty similar last year—redness and flaking in certain spots on my face. I did some digging online and figured it was a zinc deficiency. Started taking a supplement and the whole thing cleared up.

Plus, I use aloe vera gel every single day, and that absolutely kills the redness. 🙂

On top of that, I've noticed my eyes have been feeling pretty itchy lately. My doctor prescribed some Claritin to help with the allergies, but honestly, it doesn't seem to be doing much at all.

Hey there.

I've been dealing with this annoying issue where any kind of sweating—even just a little bit from light activity—triggers redness on my forehead. It shows up as these irregular patches that sting slightly sometimes (they aren't swollen, and it’s definitely not a rash), and it usually clears up after about 20 or 30 minutes. When I'm training consistently, the redness isn't as bad, but it's still incredibly uncomfortable...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.