The sudden reddening of face, neck or the upper chest region is termed as flushing. Flushing is a general response of the body against angry, excitement, embarrassment or any other emotional feeling. Flushing could also be due to underlying health problems. Following is a discussion on the causes of flushing of the face.

As said above, flushing could be due to emotional feelings. What happens during emotional stress that leads to flushing? It is just the blood vessels get excited and the blood flows rapidly giving a reddened flush appearance to the face. Apart from the flushing that results due to anger, flushing is also caused due to feeling that triggers in your mind once you start flushing. Thus, the fear of flushing itself induces flushing.

• Working for long hours at your office or if you are stressed out due to other reasons, you can notice flushing of the face. Stress results in increase of blood pressure that automatically turns you pink and flushed.

• Flushing in women could be due to pregnancy and menopause. Flushing at the time of pregnancy is due to high sodium levels that result in retention of water within the body. Reducing the salt consumption automatically reduces this sort of flushing. Flushing at the time of menopause is due to hormonal imbalances that accompany during that period.

• Hyperthyroidism and circulatory problems result in flushing of the face. A flushed face due to hyperthyroidism is termed as moon face and serves as a major indication for hyperthyroidism.

• Excess consumption of alcohol, exercising for longer duration or giving it a kick start right at the day one, sex, sunburn and dehydration also cause flushing of the face. Diabetic patients who are on chlorpropamide develop flushing immediately after alcohol consumption due to alcohol indigestion.

• Increased consumption of spicy foods also induces flushing of the face. Hence, if spicy foods are inducing flushing in you, stay away from spicy foods even if your mouth waters at the sight of them. Restrict yourself to mild foods only.

• Intake of spoiled tuna or mackerel varieties of fishes induces flushing. Spoiled fishes of these two varieties have high content of histamine which is the reason. The symptoms develop immediately after consumption of the fish and other symptoms common to food poisoning, such as diarrhea and vomiting also accompany.

• Individuals with cancer of small intestine or appendix suffer from flushing. It is due to the chemical substances released by cancerous cells.

• Flushing is caused due to certain drugs. Drugs that are used to treat hypertension or other vasodilator medications also cause flushing.

• Sometimes, it is possible that flushing develops without any specific reason. In such cases, it is essential to do a thorough investigation of the body condition to identify the root cause.

Flushed face ruins your appearance and if you are very concerned about it, the best remedy is to avoid spicy foods that provoke flushing and keep yourself calm from anger and excitement. Flushing generally disappears without the need for treatment. If flushing persists and other symptoms such as diarrhea, wheezing or difficulty in breathing are present, it is recommended to consult a physician immediately.

Rick Missimer

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