The cause can be stress or blushing that occurs without warning. Blushing is often seen in individuals with fair skin and the skin condition rosacea. Rare causes of blushing include alcohol (particularly in people of Asian origin), certain foods (especially spicy food), and hormonal disorders. Read more about blushing here
This is a disease that affects the sebaceous glands and blood vessels of the face. It is most commonly found on the cheeks. It presents as persistent or episodic redness accompanied by visible blood vessels, small skin nodules and pimples. Read more about rosacea here.
After a few minutes in strong sunlight, individuals with very fair skin can get sunburned on their faces. Certain medications can increase the likelihood of sunburn.
The skin is easily flaky and can be both dry and oily. Affected areas typically include the nose, eyebrows, and scalp.
Chemicals or excessive skincare can trigger contact dermatitis. Chemical substances in hair dyes or skincare products can cause allergies. Substances that come into contact with the fingers often end up on the face. The rash appears red and flaky, and in severe reactions, it can result in oozing skin. Read more about contact dermatitis here.
In infants, it appears as itchy, red, and flaky rashes on the cheeks. Read more about atopic dermatitis in children here. In adults with atopic dermatitis, red rashes can occur on the eyelids. Read more about atopic dermatitis here.
Small, red and flaky spots in adults and the elderly can be actinic keratoses. These are changes in the epidermis that can develop into cancer. They feel rough like sandpaper, are usually less than a centimeter in size, and occur on the forehead, cheeks, and nose.
This disease affects approximately 2-3% of the population and causes red, scaly, and elevated skin changes. Occasionally, psoriasis can appear on the face, typically close to the hairline. Common areas for psoriasis include the elbows and scalp. Get more information about psoriasis here.
This is a rare autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly perceives something in the body as foreign and attacks it. Lupus can cause red, flaky rashes, most commonly on the cheeks and nose. Sometimes, this facial rash spreads from cheek to cheek resembling the shape of a butterfly ("butterfly rash"). Rashes in lupus are triggered by sunlight.
The face contains sebaceous glands that can become inflamed and filled with pus, resulting in pimples. The skin surrounding the sebaceous glands becomes red. Acne is most common in teenagers but also affects many adults, especially women. Get more information about acne here.
There are several other sebaceous gland disorders, such as perioral dermatitis. The condition is characterized by red and flaky skin with small pimples around the mouth. Perioral dermatitis can be caused by excessive use of makeup or corticosteroid creams. Read more about perioral dermatitis here.
