Skin blushing/flushing

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Skin layers

Skin blushing or flushing is a sudden reddening of the face, neck and occasionally, upper chest.

Blushing; Flushing; Red face

Blushing is a normal response when a person is embarrassed, angry, feeling guilty, or experiencing some other strong emotion.

Flushing of the face may also be associated with certain medical conditions.

• Extremes of emotion
• Rapid changes in temperature
• Hot or spicy foods
• Rosacea
• High fever
• Alcohol abuse or alcohol intolerance
• Medications such as Diabinese (for diabetics) and niacin (for lowering cholesterol -- sometimes contained in high-potency vitamins)
• Menopause ("hot flush" -- due to a drop in estrogen levels)
• Carcinoid syndrome

Review Date: 07/22/2005
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.