Very red skin on upper arms, chest and neck and face which flushes a lot

[LackaDAISYcal]

It is getting to embarrasing proportions; everywhere I go I have to explain to people that No, it isn't sunburn and No, it doesn't hurt and it's always like that and that I am just red. they walk away from me with a bemused look and I can see them mentally making loony motions with their fingers in a circle at the side of their heads.

I have had to explain this at least twice a day over the last week of sun we have had and i'm getting bloody fed up already, and it isn't even May yet.

It started after I had my DS seven years ago and has gotten progressively worse. My face flares up as soon as I go outdoors now and I often feel very flushed, especially down one side.

I have googled (I know, I know and the likely options are rosacea or lupus, but my skin doesn't look nearly as bad as any of the photos on google images.

Anyone else like this who can maybe clarify

bump

and another bump

also, if anyone has this, is there anything I can do to make it better; herbal remedies etc, or do I just have to put up and wish everyone else would just shut up?

It does sound like Rosacea (I have this), but less likely to be Lupus (my mum has this)

Really though you may need bloods done to rule out Lupus, althoguh these are not always conclusive. I have had them done frequently.

Rosacea comes in a few forms, you probably found the worst ones, pap pustulare rosacea? Or the lovely drinkers nose ones?

My skin when I am having a flare lis very red on my face, neck and chest, and if it's not controlled can become papo pustular, I also have small red thread veins on my cheeks.

Try to think what triggers flares. For me it's alcohol, caffeine, extremes of temperature, and certain fruits and food. Not all people are the same though.

First port of call is your GP. You may need to be referred to a dermatologist.I had to have pretty strong antibiotics at first . But my skin was in a pretty bad state because I left it so long. Now I have a topical cream I use and it seems to be pretty much under control.

hth

Thanks msl

My sister has it pretty badly and has tried all sorts to no avail, which is why I wasn't sure it is that as it is pretty mild compared to hers (she has the lovely drinker's nose and it has hampered her progress at work as the interview panels for promotion have assumed that she was embarrassed and that's why her face is so red ). She hasn't found anything that works.

I'll go and see the GP, but I was canvassing my friends today and they didn't think it looked bad so not sure they would do anything about it.

Alcohol definately gives me a very flushed face, but my arms are always red and go even redder in the outdoors....even if it isn't sunny, but I guess it's the UV light causing the reaction. I read that it can be worse on skin that is over sensitised to the sun, so typically face arms and chest.

Not sure about really strong ABs as I'm BFing, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

It is just irritating that complete strangers feel the need to comment on it!

I know, people are so rude.

If it helps at all, mine kicked in after I had my eldest ds, and my dd, then actually improved after that.

I use metro cream topically for it now, you can get it in gel form too from the GP, but not sure what it says about pregnancy.

Mine definately started after having my DS1 seven years ago but it got better again as time wore on. I've since had another two babies with only 17 months between them and it is much worse than it was before.

I couldn't find anything that said there was a hormonal link though.

I've seen something recently that does suggest that there is a hormonal link to rosacea, but I can't remember where.

I think at the moment it's not definite but research is heading that way.

I will have a think and see if I can remember the site or article.

thanks

that sounds exactly like me Leonie. The more I read though, the more sure I am that it's rosacea.

Mine was bad in pregnancy, but I only have 17 months between babies so maybe that's why?

I'm going to try and see the doctor next week I think so I'll update when I have seen him.

Worth getting TSH checked as skin flushing is a symptom of hyperthyroid which often happens post natally

interesting about the thyroid. I think mine is OK, but worth getting checked (DS2 is 6months). I'm also on some medication for depression; I'll have a look at the side effects. I never considered there might be a link.

Keep me posted Leonie.

I've just checked the leaflet in with my tablets and apparently light sensitivity is among one of the rarer side effects. Possible that's what's making it worse, but it has been around for longer than I have been taking the pills!

Are you taking medication for your thyroid - you shouldn`t be taking sjw then i dont think.
Also you say your thyroid is ok because its well medicated ?? - your levels may be ok but if your taking medication for a thyroid problem that will stabalise your t3 and t4 but not get rid of all the symptoms of hyperthyroid - skin flushing is common .If its a problem because of your thyroid yopu can take medication for it - i think some beta blockers but not entirely sure .