Wtf is going on with my face?!

[WetBandits]

My face looks like this most days and I don’t know why!

I’m late 20s, healthy, don’t drink, don’t work outside or spend more time outdoors than the average person, no allergies, no skin conditions that I know of, not on any new medications.

My face is red, roasting hot and sometimes feels really tight and sore. It’s not all the time but I’ll be at work (not a physical job), or even just sitting on the sofa in the evening and suddenly my face looks and feels like I’ve just run 10km ☹️ when it happens it’s usually just my face, sometimes my ears. The rest of my body is fine (apart from ice-cold fingers and toes all the time!)

Anyone have any answers? Thank you 🥰

Don’t want to worry you, but there’s a mild infection called slapped face syndrome. Children often get it. There’s an NHS site explaining it.

What do use skin care wise?
Washing powder?
What are you eating every day? (Meaning not unusual things)

I agree, Rosacea unfortunately. Mine started like that but has progressed to a bumpy mess. The gp will start with prescribing antibiotics which in my opinion don't reduce the flush. I had to cut out red wine, I use Skin Theory Azelaic acid serum to control the redness and then prescribed Soolantra when I have all the spotty bumps.

For skin care, I use mostly The Ordinary products. I wash my body with Sanex Zero. For clothes, Lenor and Surf.

I eat a healthy, high protein diet. Drink plenty of water etc. Meds wise, I’m only taking 15mg mirtazapine at night for anxiety/insomnia.

I don’t think it’s slapped cheek @Beebumble2 as it’s been like this for months, but much worse recently.

It does seem a lot worse in cold weather! I’ve just looked at my feet because they’re particularly cold just now and they look very ‘Raynaudy’...white and blotchy. Apologies for the foot pics (lucky you, seeing them for free 😂)

I am going through the diagnosis process for hypermobile EDS so it’s probably all linked to having wafty collagen 🙄

Have you been drinking red wine? That happened to me one day. It was linked to one particular bottle.

Nope, I don’t like red wine!

@JewelLane what were the prescribed pills, if you don’t mind me asking?

These were the first symptoms I had before being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. If you start to feel
fatigued too, then it’s perhaps worth asking your GP to check your thyroid function. A healthy TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) blood result will be between 0.5-2.5.

The skin will be due to gut not working as well as it could (if it’s to do with thyroid), I take Symprove each morning and my skin has completely cleared up.

Ordinary is good but quite drying! (Beauty therapist here) I'd stop using anything for a week or so and reintroduce slowly 1 product at a time.

The feet are a bit of concern! Personally high protein diet is not for everyone I had really bad reynauds on keto diet! It's gone now I've just gone low/med carb

May also be worth checking erythromelalgia which can go hand in hand with raynauds and also EDS - usually affects the feet but can affect the face

Agreed, I have this too. Also suffered with rosacea throughout my 20s, though it's better controlled these days. For me, alcohol and caffeine were both triggers, and I cut right back on both after having DS at 30.

YY Raynauds

You could try using a facial Mist like Averne to cool the red patches on your face when they are burning - they do a handbag size-
or a cold flannel... just as if you had a sunburn to take the heat out of it.
Don't let your face get too much sun or sunburn.
Use air con in the car when its really hot. and a scarf when its cold and windy.

I have rosacea and my skin reacts to dairy and sulfates, so l limit those or accept the consequences! I really recommend REN Evercalm range, it is so soothing and you can get a trial set from Boots and see if it helps you.

https://www.boots.com/ren-clean-skincare-regime-kit-stop-being-so-sensitive-10319077?cmmmc=bmm-buk-google-ppccPLAsAs--Beauty---UKSmarttShoppingBeautyyGoogle&gbraid=0AAAAADrIajXAxs9IwH3Wtqv9Dpi7sjzI6&gbraid=0AAAAADrIajXAxs9IwH3Wtqv9Dpi7sjzI6&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9YugBhCZARIsAACXxeKnMm0Yv0VqjTRWbkFvNSHaPMelEWneWymTz4-n8bNyOFxkz2yp-waAsoJEALww_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Looks like my rosacea used to.

I take oxytetracycline and it's cleared it.

What were the pills that worked?!

Ask your GP for Rozex gel and Soolantra.

Mine was like this when I had diagnosed coeliac

UNdiganosed, sorry

Sounds like what I get when I’m having an autoimmune flare. I have undifferentiated connective tissue disease but could be many different AI things. Or not any of them. But could be.

I have very dry skin that flares up sometimes. A topic steroid every now and again helps and I use cetraban moisturiser twice per day.

I was diagnosed with acne rosacea, but the acne has been under control for years and I'm left with the rosacea. I always look like I've just caught the sun or had alcohol, and it looks like your pic.

My friend with rosacea found the Green People Scent Free 24 Hour Cream really brilliant for calming it down.

I have both EDS and Raynauds so can sympathise on those fronts. It had never occurred to me they could be connected so thank you for joining the dots.

I’d say rosacea — mine started exactly like yours.
Keep your skin clean but not over clean, don’t use anything harsh that adds to the irritation.
Cut all gluten out of your diet.
Factor 50 on your face before you step out the door, even if it’s not a sunny day.
Be aware that rosacea can spread to your eyes, rare but does happen. If your eyes become irritated, feel gritty and/or water profusely go to eye A&E or an optician and ask them to refer you. Tell any doctor you see you have rosacea ( I was told 3 different things before I said to an eye dr I think it has something to do with my face— correct, he said and at last something was done!)
And you can get rid of rosacea. I battled for a few years but no trace of it now.

Just been to the GP, rosacea 😩

Starting on low dose doxycycline and a cream. Hopefully it helps!