Symptom

Facial flushing

Facial flushing is a sudden reddening or warmth in your face, and sometimes your neck or chest, caused by blood vessels widening under your skin. It's often called blushing when it's triggered by emotions, and usually settles down on its own.

What causes facial flushing?

Everyday triggers are behind most facial flushing, including:

  • feeling embarrassed, anxious, angry or stressed
  • feeling hot, or sudden changes in temperature
  • exercise
  • drinking alcohol or hot drinks, or eating spicy food
  • sun exposure
  • the menopause, as part of hot flushes.

Less often, flushing is linked to:

  • rosacea, a skin condition that causes ongoing redness
  • an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
  • some medicines, including blood pressure medicines, medicines for erectile dysfunction, niacin (vitamin B3), and some antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs
  • a skin reaction such as contact dermatitis, from soaps, cosmetics, hair dye or detergents.

Rarely, persistent flushing is linked to conditions such as carcinoid syndrome, phaeochromocytoma or systemic mastocytosis, where hormone-like substances are released into your bloodstream, or Cushing's syndrome.

How is facial flushing diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, including when the flushing happens, how long it lasts, and whether anything else happens alongside it, such as diarrhoea, weight loss or a rash.

They'll examine you and take your medical history, and may recommend blood tests or other investigations if they suspect an underlying condition.

How is facial flushing treated?

Most facial flushing doesn't need treatment and settles on its own once the trigger passes. If it bothers you or happens often, these self-care steps can help:

  • Avoid known triggers, such as alcohol, spicy food, hot drinks or extreme temperatures
  • Try to relax – a cool compress or breathing exercises can help
  • Use gentle, non-irritating skincare products
  • Cosmetic products designed to reduce redness can help even out your skin tone.

If stress or anxiety is behind your flushing, your GP might suggest a talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or medicines to help reduce anxiety or stop blushing. For ongoing or severe facial redness, other options include:

  • beta-blockers or clonidine, medicines that can help calm the blood vessel response
  • injections, which can reduce blushing for up to 6 months
  • laser treatment, which can target the small blood vessels causing redness, though it carries a risk of side effects such as swelling
  • surgery, very rarely, for severe cases that haven't responded to other treatments, though this carries a risk of serious and long-lasting side effects.

If an underlying condition such as rosacea or an overactive thyroid is found, treating that condition directly is usually the most effective way to reduce flushing.

When should I see a doctor?

See a GP if:

  • flushing is affecting your everyday life
  • you think it might be caused by a medical condition or a medicine you're taking
  • you can't work out why it's happening
  • it's a new symptom for you
  • it's persistent, severe, or interfering with your daily life
  • it's happening often alongside anxiety
  • menopause-related hot flushes are bothering you.

See a doctor promptly if flushing happens alongside other symptoms such as diarrhoea, weight loss, a rash or pain, since these can point to an underlying condition that needs investigating.

FAQs

  • What's the difference between blushing and flushing?

    Blushing usually refers to redness triggered by emotion, and tends to stay on the face. Flushing is the broader term, and can also affect your neck and chest, with a wider range of triggers including food, alcohol, medical conditions and medicines.

  • Can certain foods cause flushing?

    Yes. Alcohol, spicy food and hot drinks are common triggers. Some food additives, such as MSG or sulphites, and sodium nitrite in cured meats, can also cause flushing in some people.

  • Can flushing be a sign of something serious?

    Occasionally. Rare causes include carcinoid syndrome, phaeochromocytoma and systemic mastocytosis, conditions where hormone-like substances are released into the bloodstream. These are uncommon, but it's worth getting persistent, unexplained flushing checked, especially if it comes with other symptoms like diarrhoea or weight loss.

  • Does the menopause cause flushing?

    Yes. Hot flushes are a common menopause symptom and often cause flushing in the face and chest. If these are bothering you, it's worth discussing options with your GP.

  • Can medicines cause flushing?

    Yes. Blood pressure medicines, medicines for erectile dysfunction, niacin, some antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, corticosteroids and opioids have all been linked to flushing. Check the side effects listed for any medicine you're taking.

  • Is facial flushing linked to anxiety?

    It can be. Severe blushing is common in people with social anxiety, where the fear of being judged can itself trigger flushing. Talking therapies such as CBT can help if this applies to you.