11 Reasons For Red Cheeks: Rosacea, Lupus, And Others

But, there are a few conditions that can cause red or flushed cheeks as well.

Some of these conditions may be managed by avoiding the cause of the redness, or taking care of the underlying problem.

No matter why you are experiencing facial redness, if it is persistent, bothers you, comes along with other concerning symptoms, or seems to come out of nowhere, it is a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider to get a definite diagnosis.

Below, we will cover some of the reasons why you may be experiencing red cheeks to help you get to the root of the problem.

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1. Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes excessive facial flushing, redness, and sometimes tiny pimples.

Rosacea triggers can stem from sunlight to stress, or even certain foods and beverages.

Rosacea is normally treated with medications to help prevent the vessels under the skin from dilating and causing redness and flushing, as well as creams to help clear the blemishes.

If you think that your red cheeks are caused by rosacea, you can have a free online consultation with our U.S. licensed providers today.

Simply submit a questionnaire plus images of your skin, and our providers can see if a prescription rosacea formula is a good choice for you.

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2. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a red and itchy rash that can pop up when your skin comes in contact with a substance or object that you are allergic to, or just react to.

Contact dermatitis can occur from jewelry, plants, cosmetics, soap, or fragrances, and can also appear on your face.

This rash normally clears up after 2-4 weeks once the irritating substance or object is removed.

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3. Flushing from medications

Certain medications may come along with the side effect of facial flushing or redness.

If your red cheeks coincide with you starting a new medication, it is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider to see if it may be causing your new flushing.

‍Medications that may cause flushing or facial redness include: niacin, certain steroids, vasodilators, calcium channel blockers, opiates, doxorubicin, cholinergic drugs, tamoxifen, cyclosporine, rifampin, and sildenafil.

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4. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes skin cells to multiply too rapidly, leading to a build-up of dry, scaly, itchy skin.

This condition can also occur in patches on the scalp or face.

Talk to a dermatologist if you have red to white scaly patches on your face that may be psoriasis.

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5. Eczema

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a condition characterized by chronic red rashes that flare up occasionally.

These rashes typically appear on the hands, feet, neck, chest, elbows, and knees in adults, but can be found on the face and scalp in infants.

Eczema may come and go and there is no cure for the condition, but many find relief from medication creams, avoiding harsh soaps, and moisturizing regularly.

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6. Sunburn

Having a sunburn is one of the most common ways to develop red cheeks for a period of time.

Even if you didn’t head out to the beach all day, you can get a sunburn on your face if you do not wear proper sunscreen on especially sunny days.

Sunburns tend to fade over the course of a few days, but you can help the skin heal by moisturizing the burn and staying out of the sun.

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7. Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can consist of fatigue, joint pain, rash, and fever.

This condition comes along with a very specific “butterfly” rash across the nose and cheeks which can be a tell-tale sign of the condition.

There is no cure for lupus, but symptoms can be handled with medications and making lifestyle changes.

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8. Hot or spicy foods and beverages

For many, when eating very spicy or hot temperature foods and beverages, the vessels under the skin in your face can dilate, causing a flushing sensation or even sometimes sweating.

This tends to be a transient redness and will reduce overtime once you stop eating or drinking the spicy or hot temperature food or beverage.

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9. Hot flashes

Hot flashes are a common occurrence in women who are going through menopause.

The fluctuations and reductions in estrogen levels during this time can trigger a rapid dilation of the blood vessels, causing a feeling of intense heat, facial flushing, or sweating.

If hot flashes are severe, you may be able to speak with your healthcare provider about treatment options.

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10. Blushing

Blushing is a natural occurrence in which the vessels under the skin dilate, causing a rosy hue across your face.

Blushing tends to match up with feelings of embarrassment, stress, shyness, nervousness, being angry, or during a romantic situation.

If your facial redness tends to match up with these situations, you are likely just blushing, and the redness will subside quickly after the feeling or event passes.

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11. Being too hot

Being overheated through being outside on a very hot day, or through intense exercise can also produce a redness and flushing of the face.

When you are overheated, your vessel dilate to help release some of the extra heat, this can cause redness on the skin and can also come along with sweating.

To help prevent overheating when outside or exercising, be sure to dress appropriately and hydrate often.

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Bottom Line

There are lots of reasons why your face or cheeks may be red from time to time.

However, if the redness is persistent, is embarrassing to you, is painful, severe, or comes along with other side effects, you may want to speak with a healthcare provider to see what treatment options are available.

At Strut, we offer customizable, compounded prescription Rosacea Formulas with active ingredients that may help address your individual presentation.* The active ingredients can include popular rosacea medications like Azelaic Acid, Metronidazole, Ivermectin, and Oxymetazoline.

Order or learn more about our prescription Rosacea Formulas today.

*Compounded drug products are not approved or evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or quality by the FDA. Rx required.