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Original poster

My cheeks turn bright red when I am warm, stressed, or drinking beer/wine. They never used to before.

34 replies

IScreamAtMichaelangelos · 20/01/2023 23:13

....at least, they didn't until about 3 years ago. I didn't understand why drinking a cup of tea would make my cheeks glow bright red (and feel horribly hot), and fretted about it. It didn't seem to happen much in hot months or Christmas before last, but now it is back with a vengeance. Friends have started asking why on earth I am bright red. It's only my cheeks that are hot, not the rest of me :/

What on earth is this? Has anyone had a similar experience? I am female and 41 years old.

OP posts:
SheilaFentiman · 20/01/2023 23:15

Me too! So I am acemarking.

Tree543 · 20/01/2023 23:16

I get the same. Think its roseca.

MinnesotaMuffin · 20/01/2023 23:24

I used to experience the symptoms you describe which then developed into full blown rosacea. Talk to your GP and ask for Soolantra. It will stop it in it’s tracks.

pastypirate · 20/01/2023 23:25

Yes also have this caused by tiredness or any temp changes. Once it's started I'm stuck with it. Hate it

Doggydarling · 20/01/2023 23:43

It was the first sign of peri menopause for me, thought it was roseca but eventually realised what it was after I started hrt and it stopped happening. Had it reoccur a couple of times when tweaking my dose or when the patches I use were unavailable and I had to change type. It used to be so uncomfortable, I love my cup of tea so it's great to enjoy it again

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/01/2023 00:01

MinnesotaMuffin · 20/01/2023 23:24

I used to experience the symptoms you describe which then developed into full blown rosacea. Talk to your GP and ask for Soolantra. It will stop it in it’s tracks.

I don't think it works for the flushing type of rosacea iirc,only the pustules type. Happy to be corrected though.

BigGreen · 21/01/2023 00:04

It is a reaction to histamine I think.

snowsilver · 21/01/2023 14:56

I think there is a difference between Rosacea and flushing though there are common themes. I had Rosacea in my 30s which caused flushing but also sore bumps, long term antibiotics sorted it.

Since menopause I have been prone to flushing if I drink alcohol or get too hot but my skin isn't sore.

AutisticLegoLover · 21/01/2023 15:00

Me too. Two sips of wine or whatever and boom my face shows it. I rarely drink anyway but I hate what it dies to my face. I'm a typical English rose complexion and I don't think that helps. I've heard it's a histamine response too. It also happens if I eat anything tomato based but not all the time.

Original poster
IScreamAtMichaelangelos · 21/01/2023 19:47

How interesting! I never thought of histamine. Does an anti histamine help at all?

OP posts:
Original poster
IScreamAtMichaelangelos · 21/01/2023 22:44

Bumping because I'm just sitting on the sofa and my cheeks have decided to crank it up to crimson :/

OP posts:
AutisticLegoLover · 21/01/2023 22:49

I take antihistamines most of the year and they make no difference as far as I can tell.

lljkk · 21/01/2023 23:00

I used to blush when younger. Don't seem to now.
Cheese used to make me flush. Doesn't now.
Can get rosy cheeks in certain cold to warm changes, I suppose.

Titsywoo · 21/01/2023 23:02

Same started happening to me in last few years when I drink booze (but not everytime weirdly). I'm perimenopausal so maybe that.

LunaAndHerMoonDragons · 21/01/2023 23:03

IScreamAtMichaelangelos · 21/01/2023 19:47

How interesting! I never thought of histamine. Does an anti histamine help at all?

Doesn't help here.

Original poster
IScreamAtMichaelangelos · 21/01/2023 23:05

Dammit, I was all hopeful there!

OP posts:
aliasname · 21/01/2023 23:05

Menopause for me. I didn't get classic all-over-body hot flushes, only my cheeks (and alcohol made it worse)

Cece92 · 21/01/2023 23:08

Wow I could have written this myself! I thought I was extra early menopause (31) but reading some of the comments I think it's rosacea. I'm glad I found this post xx

RagzRebooted · 21/01/2023 23:09

Red wine does this to me, but not every red wine and not every time. I thought it was sulphates causing a histamine reaction. Wierd that I can drink the same wine a few days apart though and it happens one time and not another. Perhaps depends how 'reactive' my body is being.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 21/01/2023 23:11

Alcohol does this to me!

Oopswediditagain2023 · 21/01/2023 23:14

My friend has this and it's an allergic reaction to something that's in certain beers/lagers and other alcohol, and I presume it's in other things too. It could be that?

Notplayingball · 21/01/2023 23:22

That was me this afternoon when at a party. Face was completely flushed for no apparent reason. Happened before arriving there but didn't feel anxious/nervous. I think it made me slightly self conscious. 40 so could possibly be peri menopause.

Notplayingball · 21/01/2023 23:24

It has been happening regularly for a few months now

Polly291869 · 21/01/2023 23:58

Oh, I hear you all.

Currently lying with a chilled gel face mask cooling my furnace cheeks and nose.

I don't think anyone really 'gets' just how demoralising it can be. The jokes about 'How on earth do you get sunburn in an English winter' wear thin fast!

I find Lex Gillies and her years of lived experience a real comfort and source of wise, balanced advice.
For both the medical side/natural treatment and practical 'camouflage' tips, when a flaming face becomes too hard to put up with.

talontedlex.co.uk/2020/04/28/15-years-of-rosacea/
(her own story)

talontedlex.co.uk/2017/04/10/rosacea-faqs/

Hope you find some relief soon. Remember you are far from alone, and there WILL be others who can empathise and offer support.

ChevreChase · 22/01/2023 00:14

This has happened to me in the last two years, and it's so annoying; the heat is so uncomfortable, and some of the capillaries have broken when this happens, meaning I have bits of red permanently too. It seems to be one of the aspects of type 1 rosacea. Tied in with all sorts of other changes for me, like starting to get hives for the first time, and many of the classic peri menopausal symptoms.

Different types of alcohol are worse than others for me - last weekend I had half a bottle of champagne with no effect at all, so it's Ab Fab lifestyle only for me from now on.