Redness of the face due to physiological conditions
Medical condition
Flushing is to become markedlyred in theface and often other areas of the skin, from variousphysiological conditions. Flushing is generally distinguished fromblushing , since blushing is psychosomatic, milder, generally restricted to the face, cheeks or ears, and generally assumed to reflect emotionalstress , such asembarrassment ,anger , orromantic stimulation . Flushing is also a cardinal symptom ofcarcinoid syndrome —the syndrome that results fromhormones (oftenserotonin orhistamine ) beingsecreted intosystemic circulation .
abrupt cessation of physicalexertion (resulting inheart output in excess of currentmuscular need forblood flow ) abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES), usually in patients who have hadabdominal surgery alcohol flush reaction antiestrogens such astamoxifen atropine poisoningbody contact with warm or hot water (hot tub, bath, shower) butorphanol reaction with somenarcotic analgesics (since butorphanol is also anantagonist )caffeine consumptioncarbon monoxide poisoning carcinoid tumorchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especiallyemphysema (also known as "pink puffer")cluster headache attack orheadache compression of the nerve by the sixththoracic vertebrae coughing , particularly severe coughing fitsCushing's syndrome dehydration dysautonomia emotions:anger ,embarrassment (for this reason it is also callederythema pudoris , from the Latinized Greek word for "redness" and the Latin "ofembarrassment ") fever fibromyalgia histamines homocystinuria (flushing across the cheeks)Horner's syndrome hot flush hyperglycaemia hyperstimulation of theparasympathetic nervous system , especially thevagus nerve hyperthyroidism inflammation (for example, caused byallergic reaction orinfection )iron poisoning [ 1] Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction (caused by antibiotics)keratosis pilaris rubra faceii Kratom mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) [ 2] [ 3] [ 4] mastocytosis medullary thyroid cancer mixing anantibiotic withalcohol neuroendocrine tumors niacin (vitamin B3 )pheochromocytoma polycythemia vera powerfulvasodilators , such asdihydropyridine calcium channel blockers severe pain sexual arousal , especiallyorgasm (see:§ Sex flush , below) sexual intercourse (see:§ Sex flush , below) sneezing (red nose)somerecreational drugs , such asalcohol ,heroin ,cocaine andamphetamines spicy foods sunburn (erythema )tachycardia vinpocetine
Commonly referred to as the sex flush,vasocongestion (increasedblood flow) of theskin can occur during all four phases of thehuman sexual response cycle . Studies show that the sex flush occurs in approximately 50–75% offemales and 25% ofmales , yet not consistently.[citation needed The sex flush tends to occur more often under warmer conditions and may not appear at all under lowertemperatures .[citation needed
During the female sex flush,pinkish spots develop under thebreasts , then spread to the breasts,torso ,face ,hands ,soles of thefeet , and possibly over the entirebody . Vasocongestion is also responsible for the darkening of theclitoris and the walls of thevagina duringsexual arousal . During the male sex flush, thecoloration of the skin develops less consistently than in the female, but typically starts with theepigastrium (upperabdomen ), spreads across thechest , then continues to theneck ,face ,forehead ,back , and sometimes,shoulders andforearms .[citation needed
The sex flush typically disappears soon after reachingorgasm , but in other cases, may take up to two hours or more, and sometimes intensesweating occurs simultaneously.[citation needed
^ Heller, Jacob L. (10 Aug 2017)."Iron overdose" .MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia .National Institutes of Health . Retrieved15 July 2019 . ^ Valent P, Akin C, Nedoszytko B, et al. (2020-11-27)."Diagnosis, Classification and Management of Mast Cell Activation Syndromes (MCAS) in the Era of Personalized Medicine" .International Journal of Molecular Sciences .21 (23): 3 f.doi :10.3390/ijms21239030 PMC 7731385 PMID 33261124 . ^ Afrin LB, Butterfield JH, Raithel M, Molderings GJ (2016)."Often seen, rarely recognized: mast cell activation disease--a guide to diagnosis and therapeutic options" .The American Journal of the Medical Science .48 (3):190– 201.doi :10.3109/07853890.2016.1161231 PMID 27012973 . ^ Özdemir Ö, Kasımoğlu G, Bak A, et al. (2024-06-09)."Mast cell activation syndrome: An up-to-date review of literature" .World J Clin Pediatr .13 (2).doi :10.5409/wjcp.v13.i2.92813 PMC 11212760 PMID 38948000 .
