What does this look like to you?

[Western]

I woke up this morning to this on my right cheek. It looks worse in real life than in the pictures. It's red/purpleish. It's not scaly or bumpy, just red and rash-like. I've never had anything like it before. I thought I might've slept on it weird but it's been a few hours and it hasn't gone away. I've had issues with flushing for about 8-10 months now..mostly on my nose, but recently my cheeks started getting in on the action as well. But it's not really that part of the cheeks, it's more the apples of my cheeks that flush. This rash is farther back than my flush usually goes. And my flushing been pretty tame lately, so that's why this rash is confusing me.

Another thing is, I had a infrared thermometer. You point it at something and it tells you the temperature of the surface. I pointed it at the rash, and it reads around 98°F. My other cheek, which has no rash, it around 85°F.

What do you think it is? And is there anything I can do for it?

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[meridiantoo]

Hi Western ~

Just a couple of questions to help people better help you:

1) Have you used any new products lately that have contact with your face - laundry detergent on sheets, facial products, etc?

2) Are you allergic to anything?

3) Does this area itch at all? Or with the other flushing you had, did you ever have itchy skin?

4) Any other facial symptoms?

Thanks!

[Western]

1) I haven't used any new facial products or laundry detergent. I've been buying dye free/fragrant free detergent for a while now, just in case.

2) I'm not allergic to anything that I know of, but it's always possible.

3) It doesn't itch at all. It's not even particularly warm/hot, though when I focus on it, it is a bit warmer/tighter than my left cheek. But no itching or pain or anything. The only reason I knew it was there was because I looked in the mirror when I woke up.

I don't typically get itching with the flushing I do get...very rarely it will itch a tiny bit, but it's more burning hot than anything else. This isn't like that though...it's a bit warm, but not burning hot or anything.

4) I don't have any other facial symptoms at the moment. I've been having flushing issues for about 8-10 months now. At first my nose was flushing a lot, then that calmed down a bit (although it still happens) but my cheeks joined in on the action and started flushing very occasionally. But it's mostly the apples of my cheeks near my nose, and not where this rash is right now, which is back toward my ear more.

I did wake up yesterday feeling a bit sick with a cold, if that has anything to do with it, I'm not sure. I'm not coughing but I feel run down and my left nostril is filling with mucus a lot (gross, I know..sorry!) I'm not sure if the two are totally unrelated or what.

[meridiantoo]

1) I haven't used any new facial products or laundry detergent. I've been buying dye free/fragrant free detergent for a while now, just in case.

2) I'm not allergic to anything that I know of, but it's always possible.

3) It doesn't itch at all. It's not even particularly warm/hot, though when I focus on it, it is a bit warmer/tighter than my left cheek. But no itching or pain or anything. The only reason I knew it was there was because I looked in the mirror when I woke up.

I don't typically get itching with the flushing I do get...very rarely it will itch a tiny bit, but it's more burning hot than anything else. This isn't like that though...it's a bit warm, but not burning hot or anything.

4) I don't have any other facial symptoms at the moment. I've been having flushing issues for about 8-10 months now. At first my nose was flushing a lot, then that calmed down a bit (although it still happens) but my cheeks joined in on the action and started flushing very occasionally. But it's mostly the apples of my cheeks near my nose, and not where this rash is right now, which is back toward my ear more.

I did wake up yesterday feeling a bit sick with a cold, if that has anything to do with it, I'm not sure. I'm not coughing but I feel run down and my left nostril is filling with mucus a lot (gross, I know..sorry!) I'm not sure if the two are totally unrelated or what.

If you are fighting a cold at the moment, your immune system is busy with that, so it may be related - Do you have a fever?....You can look at things with anti-inflammatory properties for immediate relief...zinc oxide (diaper rash cream/ointment), you can try a yogurt/crushed aspirin mask (though some people have worsened redness with this), there are essential oils that have anti-inflammatory properties, also. Just DO NOT use any steroid on your face like hydrocortisone cream. It can cause other problems.

People with flushing symptoms have various triggers that can increase redness. What did you eat last night/yesterday?

Have you been to a derm about the flushing?

[Western]

Thanks for your reply!

I was trying to think back yesterday to what I ate that was out of the ordinary. My boyfriend made pizza and I had some of that. He made his own dough and sauce. I also had an ice cream cone from McDonalds and a bit of Shamrock shake. I definitely don't eat those things normally.

I'm not sure if I have a fever, I can't seem to find my thermometer. I do feel a bit feverish though, but who knows I guess.

I have been to a derm about the flushing. But she basically blew me off, barely looked at my face and told me to use a nasal spray for my nose (that's where my issue was when I went to the derm) She was an idiot, because you're not supposed to use a nasal spray for extended periods of time. It can cause redound congestion/flushing and make things worse. I found this out while researching it myself, but she never warned me about it. I've been given metrogel but if I'm correct, that isn't for flushing, right? I want to go back to another derm but I just haven't done it yet. I have to go to work tomorrow and I'm very worried I'll wake up and things will be worse

[meridiantoo]

Thanks for your reply!

I was trying to think back yesterday to what I ate that was out of the ordinary. My boyfriend made pizza and I had some of that. He made his own dough and sauce. I also had an ice cream cone from McDonalds and a bit of Shamrock shake. I definitely don't eat those things normally.

I'm not sure if I have a fever, I can't seem to find my thermometer. I do feel a bit feverish though, but who knows I guess.

I have been to a derm about the flushing. But she basically blew me off, barely looked at my face and told me to use a nasal spray for my nose (that's where my issue was when I went to the derm) She was an idiot, because you're not supposed to use a nasal spray for extended periods of time. It can cause redound congestion/flushing and make things worse. I found this out while researching it myself, but she never warned me about it. I've been given metrogel but if I'm correct, that isn't for flushing, right? I want to go back to another derm but I just haven't done it yet. I have to go to work tomorrow and I'm very worried I'll wake up and things will be worse

Metronidazole is the main ingredient in metrogel, which is used to treat different skin conditions, as far as I know. Have you tried it? If so, did it help? There are several threads here on metrogel that you may want to read.

If you are fighting a cold and ate a lot of carbs/sugars yesterday, that could be the culprit, I don't know. I understand you want to prevent the area from worsening. Without knowing what has caused the trigger, it's hard to know how to address it.

[Western]

I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I have tried the metrogel but only on my nose, as that was my only real area of concern. I put it on every single night, without fail, and I suppose I've noticed an improvement..I'm afraid to put it on my cheeks because they're so sensitive. I put it on my cheek once when there was some redness and it burned a bit and that made me nervous. My skin is soo sensitive and burns easily.

I agree that the cold/sugar combo probably didn't help, and might be the cause. I'm just stressed about it and I feel like I don't have a lot of control over it, which I hate.

[meridiantoo]

I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I have tried the metrogel but only on my nose, as that was my only real area of concern. I put it on every single night, without fail, and I suppose I've noticed an improvement..I'm afraid to put it on my cheeks because they're so sensitive. I put it on my cheek once when there was some redness and it burned a bit and that made me nervous. My skin is soo sensitive and burns easily.

I agree that the cold/sugar combo probably didn't help, and might be the cause. I'm just stressed about it and I feel like I don't have a lot of control over it, which I hate.

If your skin is easily irritated, then it may be best to not apply anything to it. Help your immune system by getting a lot of rest tonight and drink a lot of water, too. I would go easy on your diet today, too. No carbs, sugars, dairy, but maybe a good serving of protein and veggies.

I hope it resolves for you. If not, start reading the threads here regularly. People review different products, discuss diet changes that help, and offer support. It's a great forum with a ton of helpful information.

Good luck!

[Western]

Thank you for all of your help!

[meridiantoo]

Yvw :-)