question-icon

Have Had Sudden And Extreme Redness Of Cheeks. Using An Over The Counter Hydrocortisone. Problem?

default
Posted on Thu, 4 Apr 2013
Question: For the last week or two, I have had sudden and extreme redness of my cheeks. These seem to be worse when I first wake up in the morning. I have been using an over the counter hydrocortisone cream and am seeing some improvement in the last two days. I have no rash and no itching. Is there a way to tell if this redness is topical or coming from a condition originating internally?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (56 minutes later)
Hi,
Thanks for writing to us.
This redness of both of your cheeks could be due to
Allergic skin reaction
Photosensitivity due to sun exposure
Flushing due to some food, medicine or due to menopause
Rosacea
Systemic or XXXXXXX causes like diabetes, thyroid disorder, autoimmune disease like systemic lupus erythematosis too can cause such redness on cheeks.

A proper clinical assessment will be required to see whether the redness is due to skin involvement only or due to systemic involvement. For the same a visit to dermatologist is recommended.

In the meanwhile, I would advise you to avoid sun as much as possible. Do icing of the involved area. Apply steroid( hydrocortisone cream) twice in a day. Avoid hot and spicy food, caffeine and alcoholic drinks. Also take tablet cetirizine for few days. If the lesion is due to some topical cause, it should subside with these measures in few days.

Hope that answers your query. Should there be any other doubt, feel free to write back.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Kalpana Pathak

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2014 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Have Had Sudden And Extreme Redness Of Cheeks. Using An Over The Counter Hydrocortisone. Problem?

Hi,
Thanks for writing to us.
This redness of both of your cheeks could be due to
Allergic skin reaction
Photosensitivity due to sun exposure
Flushing due to some food, medicine or due to menopause
Rosacea
Systemic or XXXXXXX causes like diabetes, thyroid disorder, autoimmune disease like systemic lupus erythematosis too can cause such redness on cheeks.

A proper clinical assessment will be required to see whether the redness is due to skin involvement only or due to systemic involvement. For the same a visit to dermatologist is recommended.

In the meanwhile, I would advise you to avoid sun as much as possible. Do icing of the involved area. Apply steroid( hydrocortisone cream) twice in a day. Avoid hot and spicy food, caffeine and alcoholic drinks. Also take tablet cetirizine for few days. If the lesion is due to some topical cause, it should subside with these measures in few days.

Hope that answers your query. Should there be any other doubt, feel free to write back.