Skin blushing/flushing
Definition
Skin blushing or flushing is a sudden reddening of the face, neck, or upper chest due to increased blood flow.
Alternative Names
Blushing; Flushing; Red face
Causes
Blushing is a normal body response that may occur when you are embarrassed, angry, excited, or experiencing another strong emotion.
Flushing of the face may be associated with certain medical conditions, such as:
- High fever
- Menopause
- Rosacea (a chronic skin problem)
- Carcinoid syndrome (group of symptoms associated with carcinoid tumors, which are tumors of the small intestine, colon, appendix, and bronchial tubes in the lungs)
Other causes include:
- Alcohol use
- Certain medicines used to treat diabetes and high cholesterol
- Exercise
- Extreme emotions
- Hot or spicy foods
- Rapid changes in temperature or heat exposure
Home Care
Try to avoid the things that cause your blushing. For example, you may need to avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, extreme temperatures, or bright sunlight.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if you have persistent flushing, particularly if you have other symptoms (such as diarrhea).
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will perform a physical exam and may ask about your medical history and symptoms, including:
- Does the flushing affect the whole body or just the face?
- Do you have hot flashes?
- How often do you have flushing or blushing?
- Are episodes getting worse or more frequent?
- Is it worse after you drink alcohol?
- What other symptoms do you have? For example, do you have diarrhea, wheezing, hives, or difficulty breathing?
- Does it happen when you eat certain foods or exercise?
Treatment depends on the cause of your blushing or flushing. Your provider may recommend that you avoid things that trigger the condition.
References
James WD. Erythema and urticaria. In: James WD, ed. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 7.
Raghallaigh SN. Rosacea and related disorders. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 37.
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Review Date:
6/3/2025 Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. |
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