Facial flushing

Although it is not roascea ,as the doctor said I've constant facial flushing and I'm a 17year old girl with pale skin I'm so down over the flushing, I am so scared of not wearing make up because of it. I went to the doctor in January and he tried me with dixarit tablets but after 2months these showed no improvement. My cheeks are always warm and they get very bad after exercise and heat or cold but they are always very red anyway. The doctor also said it was not roascea, please please help .

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
In absence of rosacea, facial flushing can be due to hot and spicy foods, alcohol use, carcinoid syndrome, rapid change in temperature, allergic reaction or infection, histamine release or reactive hypoglycemia.

The treatment of severe blushing includes anti anxiety medicines and beta blockers. Severe cases may need endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy(ETS). If flushing is present throughout the day then rosacea has to be ruled out.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.