| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | A sudden reddening of the face, neck and occasionally, upper chest. |
| Alternative Names | Blushing; Flushing; Red face |
| Considerations | Blushing is a normal response when 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 feveralcohol 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: location Do you have facial flushing (blushing)? Does it affect the whole body? quality Are you having hot flushes? time pattern Do you have flushing attacks? How often do you have flushing or blushing? Are episodes getting worse? Are they getting more frequent? aggravating factors Is it worse after alcohol intake? other What other symptoms are also present? Is there diarrhea ? Is there wheezing ? Are there hives ? Is there difficulty breathing ? |
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