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What Causes Extreme Facial Flushing After Eating?
Question: I have extreme facial flushing after I eat a meal of any kind as my face and temperature is warmer and it's been doing this for 2 years or so. Can you advise me on what to do?
Thanks
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Apply iced water
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Extreme facial flushing after eating meal is caused by hot foods and hot drinks which fill the belly with warmth and can also flush the face.
It happens when the blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate.
Spicy foods made with hot peppers, ginger, curry powder, and sometimes large quantities of garlic and onions causes facial flushing.
High calorie high carb foods may also be to blame because they take a lot of energy to burn and spike blood sugar levels resulting in dilated blood vessels and a red face. These foods include sugary treats, pasta and breads containing refined white flour.
I will advise you to apply a hand held fan on your face or iced water to prevent excessive flushing of the face.
I will also advise you to eat cooling foods such as lettuce, spinach, melons, blackberries, blueberries and cherries and you must cut down on spicy, high calorie and high carbohydrate food.
Regards
DR DE
Apply iced water
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Extreme facial flushing after eating meal is caused by hot foods and hot drinks which fill the belly with warmth and can also flush the face.
It happens when the blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate.
Spicy foods made with hot peppers, ginger, curry powder, and sometimes large quantities of garlic and onions causes facial flushing.
High calorie high carb foods may also be to blame because they take a lot of energy to burn and spike blood sugar levels resulting in dilated blood vessels and a red face. These foods include sugary treats, pasta and breads containing refined white flour.
I will advise you to apply a hand held fan on your face or iced water to prevent excessive flushing of the face.
I will also advise you to eat cooling foods such as lettuce, spinach, melons, blackberries, blueberries and cherries and you must cut down on spicy, high calorie and high carbohydrate food.
Regards
DR DE
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Dr. I wouldn't disagree with what your saying but I need to add a few more things as I get flushed in the face my temperature goes up and I get to sweating on the forehead as well as my armpits and it seems to be after I eat most anything.
I can tell you I seem full after a half of plate of any food which is odd for me. I can tell you I have had both an endoscopy and colonoscopy back in 2009 as Dr. Ward found some unusual irritation in the upper part of my stomach. He took a biopsy and it was not cancer. I have continued to stay nauseated a lot and take Zofran for that.
I plan on having another endoscopy and colonoscopy within the next month or so and I guess we can check on any further stomach issues.
To follow up with my question, what other suggestions is causing this facial flushing and are there any blood tests to check for a more medical issue?
I can tell you I seem full after a half of plate of any food which is odd for me. I can tell you I have had both an endoscopy and colonoscopy back in 2009 as Dr. Ward found some unusual irritation in the upper part of my stomach. He took a biopsy and it was not cancer. I have continued to stay nauseated a lot and take Zofran for that.
I plan on having another endoscopy and colonoscopy within the next month or so and I guess we can check on any further stomach issues.
To follow up with my question, what other suggestions is causing this facial flushing and are there any blood tests to check for a more medical issue?
Brief Answer:
Carcinoid syndrome a possibility
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Sometimes facial flushing can be caused by high blood pressure and i would advise you to check your blood pressue and if it is more than 140/90 mm HG then you will have to start antihypertensive medications with your doctors advise.
It can also be caused by diabetes and you need to do random blood sugar test to rule it out.
A rare possibility could be a syndrome called carcinoid syndrome.
It is a is a rare type of syndrome which expresses chemicals into the bloodstream causing facial flushing after eating.
If your symptoms persist even after applying iced water then i would advise you to do a blood test for Chromogranin A and a urine test for 5 Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5HIAA) to rule out carcinoid syndrome.
Regards
DR DE
Carcinoid syndrome a possibility
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Sometimes facial flushing can be caused by high blood pressure and i would advise you to check your blood pressue and if it is more than 140/90 mm HG then you will have to start antihypertensive medications with your doctors advise.
It can also be caused by diabetes and you need to do random blood sugar test to rule it out.
A rare possibility could be a syndrome called carcinoid syndrome.
It is a is a rare type of syndrome which expresses chemicals into the bloodstream causing facial flushing after eating.
If your symptoms persist even after applying iced water then i would advise you to do a blood test for Chromogranin A and a urine test for 5 Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5HIAA) to rule out carcinoid syndrome.
Regards
DR DE
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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