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Red blotchy skin

My skin sometimes gets really red and blotchy on my neck, upper arms and upper chest.  Not sure what causes it.  It seems to come and goes whenever it wants...It's never itchy or raised, but does feel slightly warm to the touch.  It gets annoying and embarrasing at times, people think I have a sunburn or rash.  Does anyone know what is going on & how to stop it?
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Avatar universal
I have struggled  to explain these red warm/hot splotches to people for years. I have gotten them as far as I can remember.  I am a 26-year-old female and I’m always questioned about what they are.  People ask me if I’m OK. I never really thought it was too abnormal because I had it my whole life. But now I find myself still not knowing what it is, and not having an answer when people ask me. I put it off as having an anxiety response or something.   I know stress, exercising, events, interviews, excitement, sadness, and pretty much any emotion outside of baseline will cause these things!  I can get these even when I don’t expect it. Really would love an answer!

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This happens to me all the time. I'm a 17 year old girl who is very pale. Mine started over a year ago and it was just my feet then worked up to my ankles and then knees and now when ever I go in the heat outside, shower, hot tub, the sun, I get red blotchy skin on my feet, entire both legs, entire neck and chest area, shoulders, and beginning of arms. It's so embarrassing bc everyone asks about it bc it looks so weird and I don't know what to say. It's so bad I've worn jeans almost all summer and haven't gone to the beach with people from school since spring break 2016 when I hid behind the trucks the entire time so people couldn't see my legs. I went to an allergist for it but he couldn't figure it out. I'm making an app with a dermatologist but I doubt she'll be able to help me either. I really wanna find an answer too! I don't wanna spend the rest of my teen years staying inside and covering up my skin all the time
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The same thing happens to me! If the temperature is just a little warm, if I'm nervous, or sometimes just for no reason red blotches appear on my chest, hands, feet, and my nose turns bright red. Sometimes I get it all over my legs and arms. People are always asking if I have an allergic reaction to something when I don't I don't know what it's called or how to fix it. It's not itchy or anything it just feels warm. If anyone knows what it is and how to help it I'd be so grateful
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literally the same thing heroines to me and its so embarrassing idk what to do about it!!!
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I don't know if anyone is still paying attention to this topic, but this sounds like something I've been getting as well. I'm a 17-year-old female, and I've been experiencing the random splotches for several years now. They come and go; I've noticed that they usually fade relatively quickly. I noticed them appearing on my arms first, but they've also started appearing on my legs, chest, back, neck, face, and hands (usually the fingers will get really red and warm but the rest of the back of the hand will remain at a normal temperature). Sporadic splotches of red will appear on the affected areas; the skin isn't raised, nor is there any difference in texture (it's not dry, scaly, etc.), and it doesn't itch or cause pain, although it does feel considerably warmer than the surrounding unaffected skin. I've mentioned it to my doctor and shown her photographs, but she doesn't have any ideas as to what it could be, since it doesn't itch or feel painful. I think the idea that stress could be causing it (listed in the comments above) is an interesting theory; I haven't considered that before, but it could certainly apply to me (then again, who doesn't get stressed? and isn't stress the cause of everything these days?). There isn't any clear pattern as to when the patches will appear; sometimes I've noticed them right after I eat, and in warm temperatures they tend to appear, but other times they'll show up randomly. I don't know if this applies to everyone else who's posted here, but I do also take an anti-depressant medication as well as medication to lower anxiety, in addition to "the pill" (in my case, it's for regulating my cycle), so it's possible the medication is contributing to it somehow. I also have asthma, and my toes have a tendency to turn blue/purple at random times (although they don't hurt, either); it might have something to do with circulation. I don't know how much of my situation is applicable to everyone else here; I'm just listing everything I can think of in case it helps shed light on the situation.
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2 Comments
Hi i am having the same symptoms. I will like you to help me because I am really dessperate and dont know what to do. I even went to the rehumathologist and practiced many examnes and everything cones out ok. My arms get really red and my upper legs are really sensity when I wear pants. I take anticonceptive pills and lexapro of 10mg. Please help me, I am driving crazy. Before all of these weird symptoms began I had 4 shots of cortisone for a back ciatic pain and everything started from there.
Omg I am having the same symptoms and there really annoying to have they appear everyday at least and last a few sec or min. I never have had this before but I do have a long medical back ground. The spots usually appear on my upper chest area near my throat, I have also have had a few times a burning feeling in half my face and a few times on my right ear and once on my right and left hand.
Avatar universal
Hello. I know that I am a little late on the "Red Splotchy Skin" topic but it has actually taken me this long to find someone with similar symptoms as mine!! I was just wondering if you ever received a diagnosis or a cure of any kind?  I am a 38yr old Caucasian Female. The first time I noticed the redness was about 5 years ago and someone come up behind me and made a comment that I had burned the back of my arms in the tanning bed! When in fact I had not been in a tanning bed or the sun!! I paid no attention to it that day. It was on the back of only one arm. Now it appears on both arms and it starts at my wrist and goes to middle of upper arm like a "Farmers Tan," only its not a tan!! It comes up at any given time and it is soooo dang embarrassing!! People are constantly commenting on it!! Its actually almost a very bright pink!! Sorry to ramble on, If you have ANY new info, PLEASE let me know!! Thanx Jenn
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This happens to me and it's super embarrassing. People comment all the time, I have to wear scarves a lot, but even then it grows up my cheeks and ears and I'm bright red before you know it. Going out to bars and looking cute is hard to do because alcohol immediately sets it off. Nervous, anxious, heat, crowds, meetings, sun, even sometimes just doing nothing really the rash starts on my chest and grows. It's ridiculous. I got a rx for Atenolol and it really helps but I had to really start upping the dosage and it started making me tired after a while. I took it before I knew I was going to start drinking or be somewhere where I was going to be nervous. Interviews are also hard to do, I had someone straight up ask me if I was ok and if I needed a Dr! I freaking HATE it! But try Atenolol, it's usually prescribed for blood pressure. I wish someone had an answer because I would try it. I've been tanning since I was 15 to help hide this. If anyone else has tried something that works, please share!!
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I find this in my hands, feet, upper chest, upper arms and neck. This happens when I have caffeine or alcohol or am anxious, sometimes even room temperature can cause it. Its embarrassing as all hell! People constantly comment on it. I believe its root cause to be hypothyroidism, not enough exercise and a diet that lacks circulatory benefits.
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Benadryl works they gave it to me at the hospital.
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Benadryl will fix it!
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I have the same thing, but mine happens daily. super embarrassing and I have no idea what it is or what to do about it! HELP
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So crazy I am 29 and have had the same problem on my kneww since I was a young girl. Its been embarassing and is a main reason I started tanning. Im fair skinned and when i tanned it wasnt as obvious. However nearing 30 i decided to stop tanning and it is bothersome again.
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Holy ****, I have been searching YEARS, and I mean YEARS to find someone with the same disorder as I have. My issue is the same thing PrettiRikki, I'm 24 male, very active just like you, I'm muscular build so I go to the gym a lot, but noticing it getting worse I decided to back off. I have started to put lotion on the one where it replenishes the skin, and that helps the flaring stay down for a bit especially with hot showers which it normally flares up a lot then. If anyone has any kind of information please help. Honestly, I'm desperate, I'm sick of having this thing on my arm, and every dermatologist I go to has no idea what it is. Taken every pill, every type of creme, everything.
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Wow just got on the Internet to finally research this issue!!! I'm 26 and I've experienced the same thing for as long as I can remember! Its been happening more often and for me it could be when I'm excited, drink, smoke pot (almost every time) in crowded places, hot or angry.... I get the blotches on my chest, arms, stomach, and thighs. My cheeks will get really red and so will the tops of my ears. I'm always very warm to touch and can feel heat coming off my body when I'm under a blanket but I'm never hot, it usually feels good, kind of like a heating pad on your legs. It's never bothered me and I guess I've never thought 2x about it till now. I'm concerned it could be a circuitry issue! I'm 5'2 female 105-110 lbs, very active and have been a runner my entire life. My blood pressure tends to be high or on high side of normal AND experience cold feet and hands almost always and get tingly feet. I know it's a streatch to assume all these things are related but if anyone can help me I would greatly appreciate it!!
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Avatar universal
the same exact thing happens to me. i'm sick of it. its been happening since 6th grade and im a junior in college now. i find that it happens when i'm in the sun for a long time, if i'm in a room that is hot, if i'm around alot of people, when i drink alcohol or smoke pot, when i'm nervous/anxious, and during sex. sometimes it just happens and i can't control it. i thought it was rosacea but after reading about it i don't think thats what it is. i dont get puss-filled bumps, i just get red skinned and blotchy. it doesn't itch. and when people point it out i feel insecure, which makes it worse.  idk what to do. and i refuse to take medication that affects any of my hormone levels.
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Avatar universal
I have the same exact thing and never correlated it to stress...but that seems to make sense.  Whenever I go to big events like a wedding or something it happens and I end up putting cover up on my arms (how lame!).  

It also comes out on my arms when i work out at the gym which is so embarrassing and wearing long sleeves on my run isn't an option.   Does anyone else find that when they work out it comes out as well?  
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  I dont know if this applies to what most of you are talking about and i dont think it comes up from being nervouse or stressed out because this is my 18 month old daughter Im talking about and I dont see her being nervouse over anything. But I woke up this morning to my daughter with these red blotches all over both of her arms.  They are not raised and they are warm to the touch, almost hot.  Weird? I am pretty sure of it.

  I am very concerned, yet I am a very paranoid parent.  I am a first time mother and everything scars me.  i am trying to avoind going back to the ER because We go there usually once a month sometimes ever other month because every time she caughs I think the worst and want to hear a doctor tell me that she is okay.  Im sure the staff in the peds ER thinks Im a total nut case so I dont want to go in this time if its just my over smothering paranoya.  What should I do?  Not about the paranoya, the rash on my lil angels arms.  Please help me before I make a fool of myself at the ER again.  ~in appreciation~Beth
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Avatar universal
Hi shelly, I have the exact same thing and get big oval patch of red on both of my upper arms and all the top of my chest goes red and blotchy. The sides of my face and my ears go bright red. It is so embarrasing and the more I think about it the worse it gets.
It happen whenever I get emotional or nervous etc and also occurs when I drink alcohol
I would also love to find something to help this!!
I have been suggested Accupuncture and also IPL (laser light) hey apply to the area that goes red.
Would love some other ideas!
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Avatar universal
Hi, My skin gets really blotchy and red whenever i itch it.. Can someone pls tell me why this happens
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I get red, blotchy skin when I get really nervous or excited.  I went to the doctor and they prescribed to me a Beta blocker.  I found online that it has helped most people It just didnt work for me.  Its meant to slow the rush of adrenaline.  If you are nervous or have social anxiety disorder, this might be worth asking your doctor about
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Avatar universal
Hi,

This could be allergic reactions to unknown substances, skin hypersensitivity, eczema, dermatitis or sun rash.

Do you remember any exposure to any specific chemicals etc? Or any trauma to the site or insect bite , etc?

Do you notice the lesions trigerred in response to a specific stimulus like sun exposure, some substance related to your work place?

Apply calamine lotion at the site and take some oral antihistamine medications like cetrizine or loratadine for your complaints.

If the symptoms are still persistent, consult your dermatologist and get a proper clinical evaluation done.

Let us know if you have any doubts and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Good luck.
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