What makes your face look flushed

Editorial team. 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.

When to Contact a Medical Professional. What to Expect at Your Office Visit. The 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? If a person is concerned about flushed skin that results from taking a particular medication, a doctor may be able to recommend an alternative drug.

Alcohol raises blood pressure and causes the blood vessels to expand, which can cause flushed skin. The more alcohol a person consumes, the more likely they are to notice their skin turning red. Flushed skin after drinking alcohol is not usually a cause for concern. Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that usually occurs on the face and can cause redness, pimples , visible blood vessels, and other skin problems. Rosacea often begins with flushing, and each bout of flushing may last a little longer than the previous one.

The cause of rosacea is not clear. However, in some people, certain factors can trigger a flare-up of symptoms. Common triggers include:.

With treatment, which may include topical medications and oral antibiotics, people can usually keep the symptoms of rosacea under control. Learn more about rosacea here. Carcinoid syndrome occurs in around 10 percent of people with a carcinoid tumor.

A carcinoid tumor is an uncommon type of cancer that usually starts in the digestive tract but can spread to other parts of the body, including the liver, pancreas, and lungs. Carcinoid tumors produce hormone-like substances, such as serotonin , that can sometimes lead to the development of carcinoid syndrome.

Other symptoms of these tumors and carcinoid syndrome can include abdominal pain, diarrhea , and trouble breathing. Thyroid cancer can change the behavior of the thyroid gland, which can affect hormone production and may cause flushing. Medullary thyroid carcinoma is the type of thyroid cancer that is most likely to cause flushing, but it accounts for just 4 percent of thyroid cancers. Learn more about medullary thyroid carcinoma here. Menopause is when a person permanently stops having their period.

In people going through menopause, changing hormone levels can affect blood flow and cause bouts of flushing that are known as hot flashes. Back to Health A to Z. Blushing is a common problem that can be embarrassing and affect your day to day life. There are things you can do to help stop it. A review of carcinoid dancer. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth.

At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Frequently Asked Questions What causes a flushed face? When should you see a doctor about facial flushing? How can you get rid of a flushed face?

Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Related Articles. Carcinoid Tumor: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications. How Carcinoid Tumor Is Diagnosed.