Dermatology News and Info | Vujevich Dermatology Blog

It can be very frustrating to develop red patches on your face, particularly when they appear suddenly and without an obvious cause.

In addition to the difficulty of pinpointing a cause for a rash, it is also not always easy to tell if your rash is a common reaction to an irritant (like hives), or a sign of a more serious skin condition. This is why it is important to seek proper diagnosis and care from a board-certified dermatologist, particularly when the patches do not clear on their own.

Why Do I Have Red Blotches on My Face?

While there are many reasons for red patches to suddenly appear on your face, all of these causes can usually be grouped into three main categories: allergens and irritants, environmental factors, and health conditions. However, these are general categories, and there are many different things within each of these categories that could be causing those red patches.

Allergens and Irritants that Cause Red Patches

At some point in your life, you’ve probably had an allergic reaction. When an allergic reaction causes a rash, it’s known as contact dermatitis. The face is actually a common place for contact dermatitis to appear, as we often touch our face throughout the day and come into contact with many other things, such as soap or hair dye, that can be irritating to the skin.

Spicy food and alcohol are other common irritants that can cause a red rash on the face. Some medications can cause a red rash to appear as well, especially if you are outdoors. This sometimes occurs with steroid creams containing hydrocortisone; always be careful to use these and other medicines as directed to prevent reactions.

Cosmetics and facial creams can cause red patches on your face if they aren’t made with quality ingredients. And for those with sensitive skin, even if the product is high quality, a red rash may appear if it is not made specifically for sensitive skin. Other common irritants include cleaning products, perfume/cologne, chlorinated water, plants, and nickel. It may also be wise to avoid cleansers or facial wipes with fragrance as fragrance-infused substances may irritate the skin, even if it is not as concentrated as in perfume or cologne.

Hives

Hives, or urticaria, are a blotchy red skin rash that may appear (or disappear) very suddenly in response to almost anything from an allergy or irritant to environmental triggers, including weather or stress (which we will cover in the next section). It can be difficult to determine the cause of hives, but they very frequently disappear just as quickly as they come, sometimes within a day or two. Since hives can come and go very quickly, you may not be able to pinpoint their cause, but they may become recurring if you continue to be exposed to regular irritants in your home or environment.

Although hives are frequently not an indication of anything serious, you should pay close attention to your hives symptoms. If red patches are lasting on your skin longer than a few days, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms like difficulty breathing or swelling, you should seek medical attention as you could be dealing with a more severe allergy or other type of condition that must be addressed.

Environmental Factors that Cause Red Patches

The main environmental factor that can cause red patches on your face is the weather. If you live anywhere (ahem, Pennsylvania) that experiences extreme changes in weather, you know what we’re talking about. Even if you don’t live in an area that experiences abrupt changes in temperature, that doesn’t mean you haven’t also experienced weather-induced facial redness.

Heat Rash

Hot, humid conditions can cause sweat to be trapped under the skin, resulting in heat rash called prickly heat. This rash resembles small red lumps or blisters that itch. Wear loose, moisture-wicking clothing during the summer to avoid developing heat rash, and encourage children to take frequent breaks during outdoor play to stay ahead of the heat.

Cold Urticaria

On the opposite end of the spectrum, cold weather can also cause your face to turn red from dry skin. This is especially the case if you live in windy areas or forget to protect your skin from the winter weather.

Environmental factors that cause hives and other rashes may be internal (like stress) as well as external.

Can Stress Also Cause Face Rashes?

Yes, stress can cause facial rashes, more commonly known as hives. In fact, it’s one of the most common environmental factors that can cause red patches on your face. Hives can also appear on the neck, chest, and arms. They can range in size from tiny dots to large welts and may itch or burn. In addition to rashes, stress may also cause acne breakouts due to increased cortisol levels. Also, if you already have conditions that cause red patches like eczema or psoriasis (more on those below), factors like stress might also provoke sudden flare-ups on your face or elsewhere on the body.

Health Conditions that Cause Red Patches

This category probably has the longest list of different causes, but we’ll focus on some of the most common causes for red patches on the face. These include acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, shingles, and rosacea. Although all these conditions cause facial redness, they have other key identifiers to help you obtain the correct treatment. We’ll dive into those below.

Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions that causes breakouts on the face. Acne has many possible causes, including excess oil production, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation, or a combination of these factors.

The color of the acne may help indicate how inflamed the acne has become. Although most acne starts as a small, flesh-colored bump called a comedo, it may evolve into papules or pustules, which refers to comedones that have become inflamed, releasing bacteria into the skin and triggering a reaction from your body. If you are dealing with persistent inflamed acne, you should see your dermatologist for treatment.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Two common forms of seborrheic dermatitis are cradle cap and dandruff, and while neither are contagious, they can cause discomfort and/or embarrassment. Cradle cap occurs on an infant’s head (hence the name cradle cap) and often appears as white or yellow scaly patches.

When seborrheic dermatitis continues past infancy, it becomes more flakey and itchy. This is when it is more commonly known as dandruff. It can also sometimes be pink and greasy and extend beyond the scalp to the face, ears, back, and chest.

Eczema

There are many different types of eczema. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. It’s very common in children, but symptoms often become milder as you age. It is often associated with a history of asthma or seasonal allergies. Because symptoms can become less intense as you age, they can differ slightly depending on your age.

In infants, eczema often appears suddenly and causes the skin to become scaly, dry, and very itchy. The affected areas can sometimes drain fluid. In children and adults, it often occurs in skin creases, such as on the neck, elbows, and knees. It is bumpy, slightly lighter or darker than your normal skin tone, and the affected area can thicken.

Psoriasis

Similar to eczema, there are different types of psoriasis, but the most common form is plaque psoriasis. Approximately 6.7 million adults in the US have been affected by plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis appears as plaques of red skin covered by silver-colored scales. They’re often painful and itchy, as well as often becoming cracked and bloody.

Lupus

Like psoriasis, lupus is an autoimmune disease where inflammation occurs as a result of the body attacking its own tissue. Among other symptoms, this often results in a facial rash across the nose and cheeks, which will become even more visible after sun exposure. Sun exposure appears to cause lupus symptoms to flare up as sun-damaged cells are attacked by the body’s own immune system.

Although the cause of lupus is unknown, it is likely due to a combination of genetics and environment. See your doctor if you are concerned that you might have lupus.

Shingles

Shingles are a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. However, chickenpox and shingles are different conditions. The skin affected by shingles is often sensitive to the touch, and at times can be painful. After the pain appears, blisters and a red rash develop. Although the rash most often appears on the abdomen, it may also occur on the face and other areas of the body.

Rosacea

In case you haven’t noticed a recurring theme, there are different types of rosacea, just like many of the other health conditions discussed. Although each type of rosacea is most likely to affect your face, they each have their own set of symptoms.

Ocular rosacea causes the eyes to become red and irritated; it also may cause swollen eyelids and a bump often mistaken for a sty. Phymatous rosacea causes your skin to thicken and form a bumpy texture. Papulopustular rosacea, also known as acne rosacea, is identified by large, painful blemishes deep within the skin. Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, the most common type of rosacea, is known to cause flushing, redness, and visible blood vessels.

How Do I Get Rid of Red Patches on My Face?

The treatment for red patches on your face will vary based on the cause. However, your dermatologist will likely prescribe one (or a combination) of the following as the best treatment for facial redness: topical products, prescription drugs, laser treatment, or light therapy.

Topical products are most commonly used for rosacea, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis treatment. Acne wash or Azelaic Gel can be prescribed as part of your rosacea treatment. For eczema and seborrheic dermatitis, products can include dandruff shampoo, barrier repair creams, and anti-itch creams and ointments.

Prescription drugs are a common aspect of rosacea, shingles, and psoriasis treatment. Steroids can be used to treat small patches of psoriasis and retinoids, in pill form, can help to slow the production of skin, thereby reducing plaques. Antiviral medications are used in shingles treatment to shorten the duration of and lessen the intensity of symptoms. If topical methods and prescription drugs have not alleviated your symptoms, your dermatologist may consider prescribing laser treatment or light therapy depending on your symptoms.

If you are experiencing red patches on your face, contact us at Vujevich Dermatology Associates to schedule an appointment or fill out our form below. Our expert team will build an individualized treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms and work with you to lessen the severity of future occurrences. You can reach our team at 412-429-2570. You can also follow us on Facebook to see what’s new in the world of dermatology.