Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that there are many physiological causes of facial flushing, such as a heightened emotional state or eating spicy food.
Several medical conditions are also linked to
skin flushing such as :
a) Rosacea is a skin condition that may produce swelling, redness, and acne-like sores. While the cause of rosacea is unknown, inflammation of the blood vessels from stress, spicy foods, and hot temperatures may worsen the condition. Fair-skinned females between the ages of 30 and 50 are the most susceptible.
b)
Thyroid dysfunction. I recommend performing the thyroid hormone levels to rule out this possibility.
c) Carcinoid syndrome, which is characterized by skin flushing and intermittent diarrhea. It is caused by pathological high levels of serotonine.
d) An
autoimmune syndrome, like a
connective tissue disorder can cause skin flushing and
hypersensitivity to the light.
e) Alcohol intake is also a known factor causing face flushing. Several drugs have been associated to face flushing.
I recommend consulting with the GP and a routine
blood test, inflammation tests ( fibrinogen, PCR, sedimentation), kidney and liver function tests, blood electrolytes, thyroid hormone levels, cortisol plasma levels and the urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) to exclude the above possibilities.
I would also advise to consult with a
dermatologist for a careful physical examination with the dermatoscope.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri