Skin turned red, no fever

Hello. A few days ago I looked in the mirror and noticed my face was getting pretty red. Otherwise I felt fine. I thought it may have been a result of a blueberry scone (though I've never shown an allergic reaction to food before) that I'd eaten a few hours earlier. I've avoided that food since then, but my face has only gotten redder. Now my torso and arms are pinkish. At first they thought I had some allergic reaction and have had me take Benadryl. But my face is only getting slighly more red. I've been taking my temperature regularly and have no fever though my skin feels a little warm. The red skin is also flat and not raised or bumpy. I'm not quite sure what the heck is going on.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to an allergic reaction to the food. Keep on taking the antihistaminics as sometimes they have to be taken for a long time. You can use Benadryl at night as it causes drowsiness and other non sedating antihistaminics like Claritin and Zyrtec . Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.
You may take Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. If the symptoms persist, then you can consult an allergist. 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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.