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After soaking up the sun for some fun and vitamin D production, you must have noticed your skin turning a bit red. Even acne, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, can leave you with redness on your face. Exposure to sun and acne are not the only reasons behind skin redness. This change in skin colour may be a symptom of health conditions like rosacea, and psoriasis, which need your attention. Getting to know the cause is important so that you can start with the treatment for the specific health condition. Don’t know what’s causing redness on your skin? Read on to find out.
“Skin redness or erythema can be caused because of a variety of health conditions, each of which has distinct characteristics,” says dermatologist Dr Shifa Yadav. Here are some of the causes:
It is a chronic skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles get clogged with oil along with dead skin cells. “In the case of acne, redness mostly appears on the face,” says the expert. It is particularly seen on the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
It is another skin condition that causes flushing or long-term skin redness, especially the face. If you have rosacea, your cheeks, nose, and forehead may turn red. “The change in colour may be accompanied by visible blood vessels and pustules or small blisters filled with pus,” says Dr Yadav.
Also known as atopic dermatitis, this common condition makes the skin dry, itchy and bumpy. “Also, you will notice red, inflamed skin that often appears on the face, hands, and behind the knees,” the expert says about this type of dermatitis, which is a group of conditions known to cause skin irritation.
This is a common autoimmune condition that can cause skin inflammation. “In psoriasis, red patches covered with silvery scales often appear on the elbows, knees as well as the scalp,” says the expert. Itchy, thickened skin can also be present in case of this health condition.
Sometimes, your skin reacts to an allergen or irritant like fragrances, soap, and cleaners. As part of the reaction, redness may occur at the site of contact with the allergen or irritant. “Skin redness is often accompanied by itching or swelling,” says the expert.
There is a reason why everyone stresses on applying sunscreen with the sun protection factor (SPF) 30, especially before stepping out. “Red, painful skin, typically on sun-exposed areas like the face, shoulders, neck, arms or back can be seen in people with sunburn,” says Dr Yadav.
Redness and tiny bumps pop up in case of heat rash in areas where sweat gets trapped. That means you can notice skin redness on areas like the chest, back, or neck. Sweating is the most common risk factor, making hot or sticky conditions particularly associated with the development of a heat rash, as per research published in StatPearls in 2024.
Also known as urticaria, hives cause raised red welts on the skin. They are often itchy, and can sting a little bit. “They can appear anywhere on the body due to allergic reactions to something you have consumed or encountered. It may be due to a medication or food,” says the expert.
If you have lupus, a butterfly-shaped red rash will appear across your nose and cheeks. The skin is often affected in systemic lupus erythematosus, which is the most common type of lupus, as per research published in The Journal Of Rheumatology in 2023. “Fatigue, joint pain, and photosensitivity are common in this autoimmune condition that causes inflammation throughout your body,” says the expert.
Be it bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, it can cause redness at the infection site. “For instance, you can see red patches on body parts like feet, groin, or underarms,” says the expert. The infection is often associated with swelling and pain.
Seborrheic dermatitis is quite a common skin condition. It causes a red rash, which usually appears on the face, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Red, flaky patches can also be found on the scalp, and sometimes in the chest area.
‘If skin redness persists for more than a few days, gets worse, or is accompanied by other symptoms, then it’s important to take help from a doctor,” says the expert. You should see a doctor if:
The treatment depends on the cause of skin redness:
Skin redness can be caused by multiple factors, including acne and psoriasis. It is important to reach out to a doctor, who can help in finding out the cause then determining the most appropriate treatment for your condition.
Red patches on the skin that aren't itchy could be due to sunburn or skin irritation. The skin becomes red due to inflammation but there is no itching involved.
Facial redness can be caused by various factors such as acne, and heat. To prevent facial redness, start by identifying and avoiding triggers. For instance, if heat is the cause, try to protect yourself from heat by wearing hats and covering up your body with loose clothes.
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