Redness of the Face

Identifying possible causes and solutions

Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD

Redness of the face is a symptom many people experience. The most common causes include rosacea, acne, and autoimmune diseases. But other things can also cause a face that's always red.

Some clues about the cause may lie in the location of redness. For example, cheek, forehead, or nose redness may each point to different causes.

This article explains the causes, symptoms, and treatments of face redness.

Causes of Face Redness

If you wonder why your face is always red, where the redness is concentrated may provide some clues as to its cause.

Cheeks

If your face redness is concentrated on your cheeks, the following conditions may be to blame:

• Acne

• Rosacea (a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes face redness)

• Contact dermatitis (allergic reaction from coming into contact with an irritant)

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

• Spider veins (a circulatory condition that causes spidery-looking veins, usually seen in older people)

• Shingles rash (a painful, itchy rash that occurs with the herpes zoster virus)

• Lupus (an autoimmune disease that can sometimes cause a "butterfly mask" across the cheeks and nose)

• Sézary syndrome (a rare type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma)

Many of these causes are not isolated to the cheeks; some can also be found in other areas of the face.

What Causes Sudden Rosacea Flares?

Some common triggers that lead to rosacea flares include:

• Sunlight

• Stress

• Heat

• Alcohol, especially red wine

• Spicy foods

• Some skin and hair care products

• Some makeup

• Wind and cold

• Some medicines

• Exercise

Around the Nose

Some of the same causes related to the cheeks can also cause facial redness around the nose. Red nose causes include:

• Acne

• Rosacea

• Spider veins

• Shingles rash

• Lupus

• Sézary syndrome

• Wind, cold, sun

• Allergies or illnesses that result in nose-blowing

• Rhinophyma (a severe form of rosacea that affects the nose)

• Nasal vestibulitis (a nasal infection that causes redness inside and outside of the nostrils)

One of the biggest standouts for nose redness is that it is more affected by the weather. So, if you are exposed to cold wind or time in the sun, you may notice a red nose.

In addition, anything that causes you to blow your nose frequently—whether it's allergies, illness, or crying—can also result in a red nose.

Forehead

Forehead redness can also result from some other common causes of face redness. There are also some causes more specific to foreheads. Causes include:

• Spider veins

• Shingles rash

• Sézary syndrome

• Acne

• Seborrheic dermatitis (skin inflammation and redness that occurs on and around the scalp)

• Folliculitis (a skin condition that affects hair follicles)

• Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection)

• Heat rash

• Psoriasis (a condition that causes a thick, scaly, red rash)
  

Though psoriasis can appear anywhere on the face, it may affect the forehead, especially if you have scalp psoriasis along the hairline. The same is true for folliculitis.

Heat-related issues, like heat rash, may be more pronounced on the forehead. In addition, because you sweat more on your forehead than other parts of your face, impetigo and acne may be more prominent there.

Eyelids

Certain kinds of redness may be seen on the eyes. These include:

• Rosacea

• Contact dermatitis

• Atopic dermatitis

• Blepharitis (a condition that causes red, swollen, itchy eyelids)

Nonmedical Reasons for Face Redness

In addition to medical reasons for face redness, other nonmedical factors can lead to a red face, including:

• Embarrassment

• Crying

• Feeling upset

• Scratching

Face Redness From Medication

Face redness as a side effect of medication is called facial flushing. This may occur with many types of medications, including:

• Opioids like morphine and codeine

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen)

Flushing can also result from a medication allergy.

Symptoms: How Face Redness Looks

Accompanying face redness symptoms may vary depending on the cause. You may notice some of the following symptoms in addition to the redness:

• Skin sensitivity

• Flushing

• Bumps

• Visible blood vessels near the skin's surface

• Thickened skin

• Crusting

• Itching

• Burning

• Flaking

How long will your face redness last? It depends on the cause. For example, if a heat rash or weather causes your face redness, it should resolve as soon as these conditions improve.

However, if your face redness results from a chronic condition, like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or lupus, you will need a treatment plan to manage your symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

Redness caused by an infection should clear up when the infection does.

Skin Redness on Different Skin Tones

Redness on the face can occur on all skin types and shades, but symptoms may be more prominent on light-colored skin. People with darker skin tones might notice the following:

• A warm feeling

• Dryness

• Darker skin patches

• A brown discoloration

• Acne-like breakouts

• Hard, yellowish-brown bumps

• Burning or stinging

• Swelling

• Skin thickening
  

How to Minimize Face Redness

Depending on the cause, there are numerous ways to treat face redness. Some things as simple as lifestyle changes get rid of it.

Skin Protection

Protecting your skin from the sun, wind, and cold can help prevent sun damage and weather-induced redness. Try incorporating the following into your daily routine:

• Apply sunscreen every day.

• Wear a hat when in the sun.

• Stay in the shade.

• Avoid the sun during peak hours (midday).

Related: The 10 Best Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin

Know Your Triggers

If you have a condition that involves flare-ups, like psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea, try to identify the things that trigger them. This can help you avoid or minimize them.

Related: Causes and Triggers of Eczema

Have a Good Skin Care Routine

A good skin care routine can also go a long way to resolve or prevent face redness. Only use mild facial cleaners on your face, never soap, which is too harsh and drying for facial skin. Gently rub with your fingertips and rinse with lukewarm water.

Related: Are You Allergic to Your Skincare Products?

Laser Treatment

If you have spider veins, rosacea, or acne, laser treatment may help. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, lasers may reduce face redness by about 20%.

Related: Types of Cosmetic Laser Procedures

Medication

If you have an infection, you may need antibiotics to clear the infection before you notice your face redness symptoms disappear. Similarly, if you have a chronic health condition, like lupus, medication may help manage your symptoms.

Conversely, if you take medication that causes flushing, you may need to discuss alternatives with a healthcare provider. There may be another medication that doesn't have flushing as a side effect. If your medication is for treating an acute condition, your face redness should resolve when you finish your medication.

Related: Drug and Medication Side Effects

When to See a Healthcare Provider

You should see a healthcare provider if at-home measures or chronic health condition management doesn't work to reduce your face redness. Something else may be causing it, or you may need a different treatment approach.

If you are experiencing sudden facial flushing with other symptoms, such as oral swelling, shortness of breath, and feeling faint, you may be experiencing anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction). Seek medical attention immediately.

Summary

Redness on the face can have many causes, including chronic health conditions, acne, infections, allergies, and skin sensitivities. Face redness may be accompanied by other symptoms, depending on the cause. You may also experience itching, burning, crusting, and flaking.

Seek a healthcare provider for ongoing facial redness to have the underlying condition diagnosed and managed.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.