Symptom

IDENTIFYING THE FACTORS BEHIND UNUSUAL FACIAL FLUSHING OR SWEATING

If you have experienced your face and neck becoming suddenly hot and sweating, you are not alone. Facial flushes can affect anyone, often due to changes in temperature, emotional states such as anxiety and embarrassment, or hormonal fluctuations. In these cases, this symptom, despite how uncomfortable it may be, isn’t usually a cause for concern. 

However, facial flushing and excessive sweating can sometimes be the telltale signs of a more serious underlying condition that should not be left unaddressed. Understanding what’s causing your symptoms is the first step to finding adequate treatment and preventing more serious complications. 

In this guide, we’ll explore what facial flushes are, what causes them, and when you should see a doctor about your symptoms. We’ll also look at how the innovative protocol developed by Neuragenex Neurofunctional Pain Management – can help by targeting the underlying systemic inflammation at the root of your symptoms. Let’s get started. 

Defining Facial Flushing

When your face, neck, or chest suddenly feels hot to the touch and appears reddened, you may be experiencing facial flushing. Flushing results from increased blood flow which, in turn, is a consequence of the dilation of the blood vessels (vasodilation) beneath the surface of the skin. 

This widening of blood vessels allows more blood to flow through, which may occur due to emotional changes such as anxiety, anger, or embarrassment, as well as exercise, menopause, or certain medical conditions. The increased blood flow can cause you to feel warmth around the face, especially around the cheeks, neck, and upper chest. This symptom is often accompanied by patches of reddening, discoloration (if you have darker skin), visible blood vessels under the skin, raised skin bumps, and excessive sweating. 

Flushing, blushing, and facial rashes are often used interchangeably. However, there is a slight difference between these terms. 

  • Blushing refers to an involuntary reddening of the skin of the face that occurs for emotional or psychological reasons (e.g. anger or embarrassment). It is common in people with social phobia or anxiety disorders.
  • Flushing causes the same involuntary reddening of the face, but this is a term that tends to be used for more severe cases. Formally, it is a condition known as “idiopathic (without known cause) cranio-facial erythema”. It can occur with excessive perspiration or without (dry flushing). 
  • Facial rashes occur when there is a breakout, inflammation flare-up, or skin lesions. Besides appearing red and warm, in facial rashes the skin may also be scaly, bumpy, itchy, or dry. 

While facial flushing isn’t life-threatening per se, it is a symptom that should not be overlooked. In the best-case scenario, regular flushing can cause embarrassment and feelings of discomfort, especially in social situations. On the other hand, in severe cases, it can be a sign indicating a serious, chronic condition that requires specialized treatment.

Can Facial Flushing Cause Sweating?

Flushing and excessive facial sweating are two different symptoms often associated with one another. 

In particular, increased perspiration (sweating) is thought to be caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system. This is the aspect of the nervous system involved with regulating glands, organs, and the diameter of blood vessels in the face. Sympathetic overload can be caused by a wide range of conditions, including certain cancers, but it is often related to emotional states, such as excessive stress and overstimulation. Other causes of an overactive sympathetic nervous system include:

  • Not getting enough sleep and sleep disorders
  • Poor dietary choices, due to the gut-brain axis (the two-way connection between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal system)
  • Chronic pain and systemic inflammation

Problems with the sympathetic nervous system can also cause other symptoms, including increased heart rate, abnormal breathing patterns, higher blood pressure, flushing, and goosebumps. 

Besides an overactive sympathetic nervous system, facial flushing and sweating are symptoms of menopause. In this case, flushing episodes are accompanied by intense heat and copious sweating in the face, neck, and chest. Each episode usually lasts from one to five minutes. 

Identifying The Risk Factors

Facial flushing can affect anyone, at any stage of life. However, some risk factors may make you more prone to it, especially during certain stages of your life or following certain health events. These contributors include:

  • Genetics. If you have an inherited intolerance to alcohol, you may experience what’s known as an alcohol flush reaction, which most commonly affects people of East Asian descent. Other hereditary and genetic disorders – such as Harlequin syndrome – may also cause excessive flushing.
  • Spicy foods. Eating spicy or hot foods can impair the way your body regulates its internal temperature, thus leading to momentary skin flushing, redness, and excessive sweating. Spicy foods that may lead to this effect are those derived from the capsicum family of plants, such as cayenne peppers, chili peppers, and paprika. 
  • Alcohol. If you are intolerant or allergic to alcohol, your body will be unable to metabolize it. When this happens, a build-up of a toxic chemical (acetaldehyde) ensues, which triggers the body to release a pro-inflammatory chemical known as histamine. Histamine reacts by widening the blood vessels in the face, thus leading to facial flushing. This symptom may also occur in people who drink alcohol excessively, which doesn’t give the body enough time to process the ethanol contained in alcoholic drinks. 
  • Caffeine. Although caffeine is known to be a vasoconstrictor (causing the narrowing of blood vessels) it can sometimes act as a vasodilator, causing flushing in the face and other areas of the body. 
  • Stress and anxiety. Psychological blushing occurs when you experience high levels of stress, anxiety, anger, or embarrassment. In these situations, the body releases chemicals, such as adrenaline, increases the heart rate, and redirects blood toward muscles. Alongside this increased blood flow, nerves signal the muscles in the blood vessels to relax, thus causing the widening of blood vessels in the face and, in turn, blushing. 
  • Certain medications. Certain medications tend to have a widening effect on the blood vessels, leading to facial flushing. Some of these drugs include vasodilators (to treat heart failure or high blood pressure), opiates, morphine, and erectile dysfunction medications such as sildenafil citrate. Consult your doctor if you suspect that your facial flushing is rooted in your pharmacological treatment plan. 
  • Hormonal changes. Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during menopause, perimenopause, and pregnancy, may lead to “hot flashes,” or “hot flushes,” which combine flushing and sweating. We’ll look at this risk factor in more detail below.
  • Medical conditions. Medical conditions that may lead to flushing involve certain cancers, abnormal reactions to medications such as topical corticosteroids, hereditary conditions, infections, and disorders of the nervous system. They include:
    • Red skin syndrome 
    • Carcinoid syndrome
    • Medullary thyroid carcinoma
    • Frey’s syndrome
    • Fifth disease (“slapped cheek” disease)
    • Harlequin syndrome
    • Lupus 
    • Scarlet fever and yellow fever

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Below, we’ll look at how certain medical conditions may be directly associated with facial flushing. 

What Medical Conditions Are Possibly Associated With Facial Flushing?

Feeling that your face is turning red and warm to the touch when you are angry or embarrassed isn’t something to worry about. However, unusual or chronic flushing can impact your life in more ways than one. It can affect your self-esteem and confidence and, in the worst-case scenario, it can indicate an underlying condition that needs adequate treatment. 

While facial flushing alone isn’t the specific symptom of any certain disease, other symptoms and reactions you may be experiencing can say a lot about what’s affecting your health. For example, if your face becomes red after exercise, the culprit may be the increased body temperature. On the other hand, if you have noticed flushing accompanied by swelling in the neck, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and mood swings, you may be dealing with thyroid problems. Nearly 86% of patients with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) experience a warm, moist face. 

Below, we’ll look at the most common medical conditions that are usually associated with facial flushing. 

Sunburn

Sunburn is an extremely common condition that occurs after prolonged exposure to sunlight. But despite how common sunburn is, it should not be considered a normal or healthy part of life. 

When ultraviolet radiation from the sun reaches the skin, it damages the cells in the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) and causes mutations in their DNA. When this happens, a series of reactions takes place. Immune cells start to cause further damage to cells that have been weakened and begin to clean out cells that are dead or damaged beyond repair. This process can make your skin itchy and cause the formation of blisters, processes necessary to get rid of damaged cells. 

Sunburn

At the same time, the immune response leads to surrounding blood vessels expanding and beginning to leak fluid around the damaged areas to deliver repair and healing agents, such as immune cells. This can make your skin red, swollen, hot to the touch, and painful. This process peaks 24-48 hours after sun exposure and continues to cause symptoms for several days. Although your skin will heal on its own, it is important to notice that around 33,000 cases of sunburn annually require emergency care in the US alone, and most skin cancers arise from unprotected sun exposure. 

Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that leads to reddened skin in the face and several other symptoms, including:

  • Frequent blushing and flushing
  • Facial redness 
  • Chronic redness (such as a sunburn that does not improve with time)
  • Solid bumps on the skin, usually reddened
  • Pus-filled pimples
  • Visible blood vessels
  • Burning or stinging sensations
  • Swelling 
  • Skin thickening 
  • More rarely, eye problems 

 

These symptoms can come and go over time and flare up – or relapse – after exposure to certain triggers, such as spending time in the sun, experiencing stress, eating spicy foods, or drinking alcoholic beverages. Rosacea today affects an estimated 16 million adults in the US alone. 

Cluster Headache

Flushing can be a symptom associated with certain types of headaches, such as cluster headaches and migraines. 

Cluster headaches are characterized by a series of painful headaches, each of which lasts between 15 and 180 minutes. Each attack can last multiple days, and people with this condition can experience up to eight headaches a day, usually at night. 

The pain, which is described as piercing or deep burning, is usually localized in one side of the head and can spread to the forehead, temples, nose, neck, and teeth. Besides pain and facial flushing, cluster headaches can also cause excessive tearing, eye redness, sensitivity to light, swelling, nausea, and constricted pupils. 

Migraine Headache

A migraine attack is more than just a headache. It involves an abnormal surge of electrical activity in the brain, which leads to a cascade of symptoms, including pain, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and blurred vision.

While a lot about migraines isn’t well understood yet, it has been seen that this condition causes autonomic symptoms, which are alterations of body functions we don’t have direct control over. These include breathing, digestion, sweating, and blood pressure. Studies have found that altered function of the autonomic nervous system occurs in people with migraines, which can lead to symptoms such as excess sweating and flushing. It is estimated that between 56% and 70% of migraine sufferers experience autonomic symptoms, such as flushing, excessive tearing, eye redness, and facial swelling. 

Anaphylactic Urticaria

Anaphylaxis refers to an acute reaction of the body to an allergen. This reaction usually involves several organs and systems across the body, including the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Anaphylaxis can sometimes be fatal, especially if not properly addressed, but can also be characterized by symptoms such as swollen eyes, hands, feet, and lips. 

Other symptoms of this condition include flushing and urticaria, which can cause your skin to become swollen, warm, and reddened. It is vital to seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing the symptoms of an anaphylactic shock. 

Menopause

With over two-thirds of perimenopausal women experiencing hot flashes, this is one of the most common symptoms of menopause. These sudden changes in body temperature are a consequence of the sudden drop in estrogen levels that occurs during menopause. As estrogen levels lower, hormone-releasing glands produce higher amounts of other chemicals, which interfere with the body’s ability to regulate its internal temperature. 

In menopausal women, hot flashes are accompanied by other symptoms, including flushing, sweating, vaginal dryness, low mood, reduced sex drive, and depression. While hot flashes aren’t dangerous in their own right, they can have profound consequences on a person’s life by impacting sleep, mood, and mental health. 

Carotid Sinus Syndrome

The carotid arteries are two essential blood vessels that run on each side of the neck. Their main role is to supply blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease is responsible for 30% of strokes, which occur when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. 

Carotid sinus syndrome is a condition that causes you to faint (syncope) or experience lightheadedness. It occurs if you have what’s known as carotid sinus hypersensitivity. 

The carotid sinus is a dilated area at the base of the internal carotid artery. If your carotid sinus is hypersensitive, you’ll experience abnormal reactions when pressure is applied to it, including vasodilation, low blood pressure, and slow heart rate. In turn, daily activities that press on the carotid sinus (such as turning the neck or looking upward), can cause flushing, lightheadedness, and, in some cases, fainting. 

When To Seek Medical Attention

In most cases, flushing isn’t something to worry about. You may experience this symptom when you are angry, stressed, anxious, or embarrassed. In these cases, the blushing will only be temporary, and you can learn to manage this inconvenient symptom through relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and stress management practices. 

However, when the flushing becomes persistent and starts to get in the way of your everyday life or sleep, you should seek medical attention. In particular, you should see your doctor if the sensation of warmth and redness is accompanied by:

  • Pain
  • Spots
  • Rashes
  • Diarrhea
  • Shallow breathing 
  • Hives
  • A swollen neck 
  • High fever

You should also contact your doctor if the flushing occurs without a reason, is worsening, or becomes chronic, as this symptom can impact your social and professional life. Sleep disruptions and other symptoms associated with anxiety disorders should also be discussed with a medical professional. 

A specialized healthcare provider will be able to carry out an accurate diagnosis of your symptoms and help you select the best course of treatment for your needs. 

How Is Unusual Facial Sweating Or Flushing Diagnosed?

Because facial flushing is a non-specific symptom, it can be hard to determine what’s causing it. However, with the right tools, your doctor will be able to pinpoint any underlying condition that might be causing your symptoms. 

Some of the most commonly used tools to diagnose unusual facial flushing include:

  • Medical history. Your doctor will begin your examination by looking at your medical history, which can help determine whether your symptom is caused by conditions such as menopause, rosacea, or sunburn, as well as hereditary disorders. 
  • Physical examination. During a physical examination, your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, their duration, location, and frequency, and whether they occur alongside other reactions. You may also be asked questions about your lifestyle, alcohol and caffeine consumption, stress levels, and sleep quality.
  • Allergy testing. If your doctor suspects that your facial flushing is caused by an allergic reaction, they may recommend further allergy testing. This can also help you prevent severe reactions such as anaphylaxis, which can occur when you are re-exposed to an allergen.
  • Trigger identification. If caffeine, alcohol, or stressors are behind your symptoms, learning to identify and avoid your triggers can help you better manage facial flushing episodes. Be aware of the triggers of your migraine or cluster headache (e.g. stress, tension, lights, odors, or foods) to prevent attacks.
  • Differential diagnosis. Differential diagnosis involves making a list of possible conditions that may be behind your symptoms. For example, if you experience facial flushing and mood swings, these symptoms may be associated with some types of headaches, anxiety disorders, and menopause. Through further testing, this multi-step process can help you achieve the right diagnoses and guide treatment decisions. 

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist if they suspect that a certain condition is at the root of the flushing. For example, if your symptoms match the ones of rosacea, you may be recommended to consult a dermatologist for further testing and treatment recommendations.

 

Conventional Treatments For Skin Redness Or Sweating

When it comes down to managing facial flushing, determining what’s causing it is crucial to making well-informed decisions. This is important to prevent a serious disorder from going unaddressed and to avoid unnecessary side effects.

Some steps to take before resorting to medications or invasive procedures include:

  • Learn what triggers your facial flushing.
  • Avoid your triggers by reducing spicy food, caffeine, and alcohol consumption. If the flushing is caused by migraines, learn to recognize your migraine triggers and prevent exposure to them. You may also learn to reduce the intensity of a migraine attack by taking action during the aura phase.
  • Contact your doctor to discuss the side effects of medications you are currently taking. Changing drugs or adjusting dosages can reduce flushing.
  • Avoid extreme temperatures.
  • Adjust the intake of niacin or vitamin B3 to avoid niacin-induced flushing. Especially in the case of immediate-release supplements, this vitamin can cause the capillaries to expand and lead to flushing.
  • Use coping skills and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to manage stress, social discomfort, and anxiety and reduce symptoms such as blushing.

If these management strategies have not worked, your doctor may recommend you opt for one of the pharmaceutical or surgical options below. Before diving into these alternatives, make sure you understand their side effects and risks.

Topical Treatments

Topical treatments represent a non-invasive approach to manage symptoms such as flushing and redness, especially when caused by conditions such as rosacea or sunburn. Topical treatments are available as over-the-counter medications, but prescription-strength drugs may also be prescribed. The most common options include topical creams and moisturizers:

  • Topical cream. Topical creams for conditions such as rosacea include brimonidine (Mirvaso) and oxymetazoline (Rhofade). These medications work by restricting blood vessels, thus reducing symptoms such as redness, swelling, and warmth. Some over-the-counter alternatives, such as topical ibuprofen, have also been seen to help people with facial blushing due to embarrassment or exercise.
  • Moisturizer. Moisturizing creams work by increasing the water content of the outer layer of the epidermis, which is known as stratum corneum. By providing water to the skin and preventing water loss, moisturizers provide a soothing protective layer and reduce some of the symptoms associated with flushing and redness, such as pimples, dry skin, and raised bumps.

Oral Medications 

Oral medications may help if facial flushing is caused by conditions such as allergies, anxiety disorders, or hormonal changes such as menopause. Most of these medications come with non-neglectable side effects you should be aware of when considering taking them in the long term.

Some of the most common medications recommended for facial flushing include:

  • Antihistamine. Antihistamine helps by blocking the production of histamine, which, as mentioned above, is a pro-inflammatory chemical released when you come into contact with something you are allergic to. Histamines are responsible for symptoms such as respiratory problems, asthma attacks, runny nose, itchy eyes, and skin reactions. Antihistamines can have severe side effects, including drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, low blood pressure, and rapid heart rate.
  • Prescription medications. Certain medications may be prescribed to address the underlying condition causing facial flushing. These include:
    • Beta-blockers to reduce anxiety
    • Clonidine, which changes the body’s response to the chemicals (e.g.: noradrenaline) that control the dilation of blood vessels and contribute to flushed skin
    • Botox injections, which paralyze the nerves in the skin and cause blushing
    • Rescue medications for migraines and headaches
  • Hormone replacement therapy. If facial flushing occurs as part of menopausal hot flashes, you may consider hormone replacement therapy. Taking estrogen can ease your symptoms, but estrogen-only drugs may not be recommended for everyone and carry severe risks, including endometrial cancer.

In some cases, antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs may also be used to relieve flushing and hot flashes, especially if related to hormonal changes, migraines, headaches, or mental health disorders.

Laser Therapy

If the pharmaceutical treatments above have not worked and your facial flushing worsens, your doctor may recommend more invasive therapies, such as laser therapy.

Vascular laser treatment works by removing the small surface blood vessels under the skin of the face, which are the site of redness and flushing. While this treatment is only minimally invasive, it carries some risks, including:

  • Bruising
  • Blisters
  • Increased pigmentation
  • Scarring

In the case of more severe facial blushing and sweating, you may have the option to have an endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). ETS is an invasive operation performed under general anesthesia. It involves cutting the nerves in the sympathetic nervous system that control sweating and flushing. Although it has a high success rate – around 95% for excessive sweating – ETS comes with risks such as infection, drop to the eyelid, nerve damage, compensatory sweating (where other areas of the body sweat heavily instead), and chronically dry hands. It is generally considered as a last resort for facial flushing.

Sun Protection

Using sun protection when spending time outdoors or sunbathing is considered to be one of the most efficient ways to reduce facial flushing and skin damage that may occur due to UV exposure.

However, sun protection may also help you manage your symptoms in other ways:

  • May help the symptoms of rosacea by preventing flare-ups and improving skin health
  • May reduce the risk of cancers
  • May prevent broken and visible blood vessels
  • Can keep the skin moisturized

To prevent hot flashes or sudden increases in temperature when in a warm climate, consider using light and breathable clothing, staying in the shade as much as possible, reapplying sunscreen as needed, and using protection such as a shirt, hat, and sunglasses.

Neuragenex NFPM Protocol For Pain Associated With Flushing

Facial flushing may seem a minor inconvenience at first. However, when the sweating, redness, and sensation of warmth become regular companions in your daily life, your self-esteem, professional life, and social interactions may all be affected. At the same time, when it comes down to addressing this disorder, most doctors are unable to treat the root cause of your symptoms, which can result in patients taking medications for months or years at a time.

Nonetheless, there is a lot that you can do to tackle the source of facial flushing, starting with choosing Neuragenex Neurofunctional Pain Management as your path to long-term health. This approach works by treating the systemic inflammation that is at the root of most conditions that cause facial flushing, such as headaches, allergies, and rosacea.

Through electroanalgesia, IV therapy, and lifestyle counseling, Neuragenex Neurofunctional Pain Management will reduce inflammation, ease your symptoms, and magnify your quality of life.

Electroanalgesia

Electroanalgesia is a pain management technique that uses high-pulse electrical current to ease pain, boost blood circulation, improve mobility, and induce...

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IV Therapy

IV nutritional therapy, or intravenous therapy, involves administering vital nutrients directly to the bloodstream through an IV. This type of treatment bypasses the digestive system, allowing for maximum absorption and utilization of nutrients by the...

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Lifestyle Counseling

Lifestyle counseling is an approach to managing chronic pain that involves identifying, assessing, and modifying lifestyle factors contributing to an individual's pain. For example, lifestyle factors such as nutrition, physical activity, stress, sleep quality...

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Facial Sweating And Flushing Conditions We Provide Relief From

Neurofunctional Pain Management does a lot more than simply ease the symptoms of certain conditions: it tackles the systemic inflammation at the root of most common chronic disorders. By doing so, it is able to address a wide range of conditions associated with chronic pain, excessive sweating, and facial flushing. Let’s explore these below.

Cluster Headache Pain Treatment

Cluster headaches are an excruciatingly painful condition that can be difficult to manage. In fact, cluster headaches can debilitate to where they can significantly affect your quality of...

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Chronic Migraines And Headache Pain Treatment

Chronic migraines and headaches can cause severe pain, blurred vision, and fatigue. Experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis can be debilitating and can affect your quality of life. Our pain management approach can help you reduce the frequency,...

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Effectively Manage Your Flushing And Sweating Symptoms

Facial flushing can be embarrassing, and even cause you to develop a fear of it. Fortunately, topical creams, medications, or invasive procedures are no longer the only options to regain your skin and overall health.

With Neurofunctional Pain Management, you can address the inflammation underlying your facial flushing and return to enjoying your everyday activities without embarrassment, fear, or anxiety.

Take control of facial flushing today! Get started with your consultation for accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment.

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