Excessive redness in face

LegacyUser

Hi all
I've been a member of boards for just under two years but going unreg for this one.

I've always had a very definite shade of redness in my face. It's almost as if I was blushing 24 hours a day.

It's usually worst if I walk to work on a windy, blusterly day or if I'm slighty out of breath from climbing a few flights of stairs. This I can accept.

But it also noticable when I'm lazing around at home watching a dvd or strolling around town at lunchtime. No physical exertion involved here.
Also, I work in an office and if I get stressed over a deadline I can feel my cheeks burning so to speak and my face would be extremly red.

I always though I was possibly extremly unfit. I'll admit I could lose a few pounds but I'm 5ft 10" and weigh about 65kg (10.5 stone) so I don't think you'd say I was overweight.
I did very well in my last fitness test in the gym also.

I went to a docter about it a few months ago and was told the blood capillaries(spelling?) are very close to my skin and there was nothing that could be done and not to worry about it.

I'm very self-concious over it though and out of 40 people in my office, I don't see anyone else with this problems

Anyone else on boards with experience of this?

Beruthiel

Unreg 1 wrote:

I went to a docter about it a few months ago and was told the blood capillaries(spelling?) are very close to my skin and there was nothing that could be done and not to worry about it.

capillaries are very sensitive on the face and can burst easily. Even wind can do damage. They take a long time to repair themselves, if you're a girl, it's dead easy, you just use foundation. I suppose you could try to find one that is the same colour as your skin, no one need know you use it.

Zombrex

Unreg 1 wrote:

Hi all
I've been a member of boards for just under two years but going unreg for this one.

I've always had a very definite shade of redness in my face. It's almost as if I was blushing 24 hours a day.

It's usually worst if I walk to work on a windy, blusterly day or if I'm slighty out of breath from climbing a few flights of stairs. This I can accept.

But it also noticable when I'm lazing around at home watching a dvd or strolling around town at lunchtime. No physical exertion involved here.
Also, I work in an office and if I get stressed over a deadline I can feel my cheeks burning so to speak and my face would be extremly red.

I always though I was possibly extremly unfit. I'll admit I could lose a few pounds but I'm 5ft 10" and weigh about 65kg (10.5 stone) so I don't think you'd say I was overweight.
I did very well in my last fitness test in the gym also.

I went to a docter about it a few months ago and was told the blood capillaries(spelling?) are very close to my skin and there was nothing that could be done and not to worry about it.

I'm very self-concious over it though and out of 40 people in my office, I don't see anyone else with this problems

Anyone else on boards with experience of this?

The first thing that comes to mind is diet. How is your diet and are you over weight?

Beetlebum

Are you a guy or a girl?

If you're a girl, The Body Shop have a special concealer designed to eliminate redness. It's about €12 and it really works. It's a sort of white-green colour and a nice light consistency....

If you're a guy, maybe go to a different doctor to get a second opinion or even ask your pharmiscist. It's more than likely broken capillaries. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause this, that's why alot of alcoholics have that ravaged look about thier skin...

Froot

Its your diet and your blood pressure.

I used to have a savagely red face nearly 24 hours a day. I stopped smoking and improved my diet and it was totally gone within 2 months.

Beruthiel

Froot wrote:

Its your diet and your blood pressure..

His doctor told him it was his capillaries, this has nothing whatsoever to do with blood pressure.
This is not a medical forum and you cannot come in here and diagnose a medical condition. Please read this forums rules on that and stick to the topic of this thread.

LegacyUser

Sorry, I never stated I was a fella. Not overweight and run 10km now and again so maybe of average fitness.

I've done several blood pressure tests in the past and never been told that I had high blood pressure. I was told I had low blood pressure once but I redid the next week and was normal

My diet is allright and could be improved but I suppose so could everyone's.

I only drink on Friday nights so I wouldn't call myself an excessive drinker. Don't drink any other night and haven't smoked in 6 years. I'm 25 btw.

cisco

Had the same as you for about 4 years, my cheeks would go red if i got the slightest bit warm or was outside in the cold or drank alcohol, was tired or stressed. I went to a skin specialist who said leave all spicy foods out of your diet and exercise a few times weekly. This made a huge difference. i think the exercise and sweat made my skin tougher than it was so it didnt go red as easily. At the time it was a huge problem for me but now i didnt even remember i ever had that problem until i saw you post. good luck

Faith

It could be rosacea. Things like spicy foods, like cisco said, and red wine can cause it to flare up.

Fanny Cradock

OK, going against what you doctor said, it's possible that a food allergy (wheat, yeast, etc.) is causing the redness. No harm in going for a second opinion, getting an allergy test and, as the results from the blood pressure test were inconclusive, getting another one to be sure to be sure.

LegacyUser

I actually have the same problem myself my cheeks and nose are constantly red and i went to the doctor aswell and got the same response, that they could do nothing for me. However i did get a second opinion and went to a dermatologist and i am now getting laser treatment to get the veins removed. The treatment are fairly expensive however (between 100 and 150 euro depending on where ya go) and depending how red you are it could take between 4 and 6 treatments to get a fairer complexion. However im on my fourth treatment at the moment and ive improved greatly. I don't get flare ups anymore, whether when im eating spicy food or drinking/exercising or whatever. I would suggest that that you look for a dermatologist in your area, chances are what you have is very treatable. (ps.don't bother going to another doctor, i was told by the dermatologist that they still are unsure what actually causes redness in some people, as another poster has said it could be down to roscea but that is more common in women, highly unlikely that you have it) Good luck whatever ay decide.

Dan133269

I read somewhere that sweating helps your skin, release of chemicals, can't remember exactly, maybe that could help?

Froot

Beruthiel wrote:

His doctor told him it was his capillaries, this has nothing whatsoever to do with blood pressure.
This is not a medical forum and you cannot come in here and diagnose a medical condition. Please read this forums rules on that and stick to the topic of this thread.

What I meant was elevated blood pressure can redden your face...

This can be caused by a multitude of things...drinking, smoking, spicy food etc.

As someone said you may just be allergic to yeast or wheat. Does it happen when you eat something in particular or is it totally random?

The wind and rain makes most peoples faces red being honest.

Beruthiel

Froot wrote:

What I meant was elevated blood pressure can redden your face....

I'm well aware of that fact, as I'm sure the OP's doctor is. However, as his doctor presumably knows all about high blood pressure and told him something completely different, it is not up to you to contradict a professional diagnosis's.
This goes for the rest of you people who have not stayed on topic.

I will close this thread if people cannot discuss the actual, original topic.

Froot

Oh god Beruthiel give it a rest please.

I never contradicted his doctors diagnosis because I posted my view before the OP ever mentioned blood pressure.

I understand what your saying about this not being a medical forum but I neither professionally diagnosed nor prescribed in this instance. I never presumed to do that either.

I also made a point of saying from personal experience the points I made were applicable to some people.

kittenkiller

He mentioned the doctors diagnosis in the first post!
And your post stated what the problem was!
Unless you're his doctor then phrase things differently.

OP you could try using a colour-correction moisturiser on the areas high in colour for a while.
Just apply it right and be sure to blend it properly and no body'll know.

I've found that as I've gotten older my high-colouring has lessened.

Best of luck.

LegacyUser

Unreg 1 wrote:

I went to a docter about it a few months ago and was told the blood capillaries(spelling?) are very close to my skin and there was nothing that could be done and not to worry about it.

I'm very self-concious over it though

If i was you i would go get a second opinion or try maybe a dermatoligist or dietician.If its something that makes you very self concious then your GP should know better than to fob you off and tell you not to worry about it.

Beruthiel

Froot wrote:

I also made a point of saying from personal experience the points I made were applicable to some people.

But not to this thread.
Might I once again ask you to read the rules and charter.
This is your last warning before I hand out a ban for continually bringing this thread off topic.

Homer J Simpson

Hello OP,

I too suffer from the same problem as you. A dermatologist diagnosed me with Rosacea. I have tried everything cortisone creams, medication (tetracycline) etc etc. This condition bothered me so much I went to the top dermatologist in the country back in 1996. He suggested I get Pulse dye laser applied to the affected areas ( cheeks and nose). This was successful however the recovery time for this was 2 weeks. About 2 years ago I heard of IPL which was used for Photorejuventation. As Rosacea is a condition which needs to be controlled ( there is no cure for it) I decided to go for this. It is very effective and I'm very happy with the results after 4 sessions. I received this treatment at www.lasercentre.ie just off St Stephens green. Cost about 120euro per session which lasts 15 mins each time. Usually a gap of 2 months between sessions. U leave the clinic after the session without any recovery time. You will not need to be referred there by a doctor just ring them for a consultation initially.

Irish people suffer from this condition due to our Celtic origin. Believe me you are not alone.

Sunlight and alcohol can trigger the hot flush sensation you may experience with rosacea. It is recommended to wear a sunsceen everyday called Soltan and to stay out of direct sunlight.


By all means PM me for a private conversation as some posters here are more interested in winning an argument on this thread rather than helping you with your issue.

Best regards.

Ruthee

There is a very useful forum at http://forum.rosaceagroup.org/ (specifically the thread in the general section called reduce acidity=reduce rosacea) if u think you have rosacea.Getting a dermatologists opinion would be the best thing to do first though as self diaganosis can often do more harm than good and u may not have rosacea..Best of luck

Black Swan

Diet, exercise, sleeping habits, stress, high blood pressure, drugs, and especially alcohol consumption may be sources of your problem? Have an older friend who experiences this condition when he drinks too much and too frequently. A dermatologist may be a good person to consult?