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Severe facial flushing
Help! I keep having progressively worsening facial flushing. It is hot to touch and burns severely. Around my eyes stays skin colored. Here are some details:
The rest of my body isn’t hot. No sweating.
BP stays normal
Blood sugar stays normal during episodes (wearing CGM)
HR stays normal
Internal temp is normal
Happens in seconds. Lasts this intensely around 30 min. Calmer flushing lasts hours/constant.
Nothing has changed (diet, meds, soaps, stress, anxiety, etc)
ANAs 1:320 with a Nuclear, Dense Fine Speckled pattern. Rheumatologist wasn’t concerned and stated I didn’t need to come back.
Dermatologist doesn’t know. Not rosacea. Not carcinoid.
Allergist ruled out any allergy/histamine response.
Started on Oct 2023 this intensely. Now happening every 5-8 days. It has moved to my arms the last 2 times.
I am desperate to find answers.
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My face gets really hot and red from time to time. It seems to happen more when the heat is on or the room is too hot. I also haveDisseminated Superficial Actinic Porokeratosis that is all over my arms and legs. I also have roscessa. It never occurred to me other people have the face thing. I've never asked a doctor what might cause it.
one cause could be related to Cushings or hyperthyroid. Maybe your PCP can test for these endocrinology disorders.
Hi. Did you get a diagnosis? I've been searching the internet trying to find out what is causing my face and neck rash and I came across your article and pictures. I look exactly like you, my face is red and hot and it comes once a month usually around the same time. I can't seem to find out what is causing this.
Hi, I have the exact same ANA with speckled pattern and severe flushing for the last several years. I've tried to explain it to many different specialists, same as you, no one knows. I like the suggestion to see an endocrinologist. I thought it might be menopausal hot flashes. I do feel very warm, how about you?
Also, my new rheumatologist suspects Lupus and ordered a kit draw from Avise.com. Have you tried further testing?
I just got a prescription for Roscessa through my doctor, called "Metronidazole" gel.
Have you tried it and did it work for you?
Hey, I’m having the same exact issue. It’s happening every single day. No itch. Hot red flushing that just won’t go away. I’m starting to get nervous & no help from the doctors. My blood work is normal. Did you get any answers ?
Coming to this late but wanted to share something for anyone still dealing with this. The pattern described here — sudden intense facial flushing and burning, especially cheeks/forehead/ears, that comes in episodes and doesn't respond to allergy meds or skin treatments — can actually be neurological. There's a group of conditions where a nerve in the face (the trigeminal nerve) misfires and causes flushing, burning, and redness on its own. Most doctors associate these conditions with headache, but the flushing and burning can happen without any head pain at all, which is why it gets missed.
If you've been through dermatology, allergy, and endocrine without answers, it might be worth seeing a headache/neurology specialist. The treatments are completely different from anything you'd get from a dermatologist or allergist.
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1 ReactionDid any of ya’lls doctor check you for perimenopause/ menopause? This isn’t an endo or rheum issue. It sounds like you’re having hot flashes if it happens from time to time. If it is continuous for hours on end or days that is one thing, but if it is happening for say 45 minutes and passes, good chance it’s a hot flash. Have you GP check your estrogen/progesterone etc levels to see where you are on the timeline.
@ebs1126: Please discuss “Carcinoid Syndrome” with your doc as a possible cause for this common symptom of a serious rare condition.
The picture looks the same as the flushing that occurs with this syndrome and needs immediate treatment.