When you spend the day in the sun and forget to apply sunscreen, you’ll know why your face is red. Sun exposure is a common cause of skin redness, but it’s easy to recognize.
It’s more of a problem when your face is red, and you don’t know why. Dermatologist Jennifer A. Baron, MD, diagnoses and treats many common conditions that can leave your complexion looking less than its best.
Let’s examine some of the reasons why your skin tone isn’t as even as it once was. In some cases, the solution may be simple to resolve, while at other times, there could be an underlying medical problem or a condition of the skin itself.
If you tend to blush easily, you might have an increased risk of rosacea later in life. It’s a common condition that often starts around the age of 30 and affects over 14 million Americans. It can flare up from time to time or be a constant presence.
The underlying causes of rosacea aren’t fully understood, though some research suggests it may be an autoimmune disorder. Many triggers and factors cause episodes of increased redness.
These triggers include things like temperature extremes of hot or cold, alcohol consumption, stress, and more. Rosacea is a permanent condition without a cure, but treatments can minimize its impact.
Skin irritation and inflammation conditions often fall under the dermatitis banner, but there are different causes and types.
Skin redness that results from an allergic reaction or contact with a skin irritant is often a form of contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs with many things, like poison ivy exposure, contact with latex, or a response to certain fragrances.
Irritant contact dermatitis might occur with a strong detergent or other substance that inflames your skin. It’s possible to become sensitive to chemicals you’ve been exposed to for years without a harmful response.
When you know what substances cause your dermatitis, taking steps to avoid exposure is often enough to resolve your facial redness.
You may know seborrheic dermatitis by other names, including dandruff or cradle cap, when infants suffer the condition. It causes a red rash and patches of skin that may be oily or dry and scaled. While you may be able to control seborrheic dermatitis with over-the-counter products, a consultation with Dr. Baron usually results in an effective treatment plan created for you.
A form of photoaging, spider veins represent a cumulative response to sunlight exposure. This produces a splotchy facial redness that shares symptoms with rosacea, and spider veins are broken or damaged blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface. Dr. Baron offers effective treatments, including broadband light (BBL) therapy.
There are many causes that may leave you red-faced. When you’re in the dark, call or click to arrange an appointment with Dr. Baron at her San Jose office. Smoother skin could be around the corner, so book your visit now.
