Exanthema in the face, heat spots, rashes on the face
Definition
Red spots on the face are not an independent clinical picture. Rather, red spots on the face represent a symptom that can serve as an indication of a variety of diseases.
Introduction
Red patches that appear on the face, neck or other parts of the body are among the most common reasons that lead a patient to a dermatologist’s office. The skin appearance itself is not an independent clinical picture, but rather a symptom. Red patches that appear on the face can have various causes.
Among the possible causes that lead to red spots on the face, external influences must be distinguished from internal diseases. In most cases, the red spots on the face are accompanied by other complaints. The most common accompanying symptoms include a pronounced itching, wheals or pimples and swelling.
Depending on the cause that leads to the appearance of red spots on the face, general symptoms such as fever, tiredness, headache and aching limbs can also be observed. As a rule, slightly pronounced red spots on the face disappear completely within a very short time without medical intervention. Strong features that occur in the course of an infection, however, usually require medical treatment.
Causes for red spots on the face
There can be various causes for the appearance of red spots on the face. Especially during the warm seasons, many patients experience a so-called “heat rush”. These skin symptoms are small red spots caused by overheating of the skin surface (heat spots) and can occur on the face and neck as well as other parts of the body.
The actual reason for the development of these red spots is the fact that the affected parts of the body are exposed to excessive heat over a long period of time during the warm seasons. In addition, the increased production of sweat causes the skin surface to be attacked, making it more sensitive to external stimuli. Heat-induced red spots on the face are typically accompanied by severe itching.
In addition, environmental influences, cosmetic products and allergenic substances (allergens) are considered to be the most common causes for the development of red spots on the face. In addition, it can be observed in everyday clinical practice that red spots on the face occur particularly frequently in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. The so-called “contact dermatitis” is also one of the most frequent causes for the development of red spots on the skin.
In the patients affected, the skin changes are mainly visible on the face and chest. In rare cases, such skin symptoms can also be observed on other parts of the body. Contact dermatitis can be caused by various irritants.
In this context, pollen, animal hair, various chemicals and foods (see food allergy) are among the most important triggers. Contact dermatitis is typically accompanied by severe itching and small blisters. In addition, red spots on the face can be caused by an allergic reaction to allergenic substances (allergens), viral infections, insect bites or severe temperature fluctuations.
Especially in the presence of a viral infection, many patients develop red spots on the face. These virally induced skin symptoms are typically accompanied by severe itching and a burning sensation. In adults, some sexually transmitted diseases are also among the reasons for the appearance of red spots on the face.
Red spots on the face after showering are not uncommon. Especially fair-skinned people, as well as blond or redheaded people can observe the skin appearance after showering. Often their skin is more sensitive and reacts sensitively to changes in temperature.
Thus, hot water temperatures or steam increase the blood circulation in the skin. Occasionally, this process can make itself felt by the formation of red spots on the face. In most cases the spots disappear after a short time completely by themselves.
To maintain the natural balance of the skin, you should apply a moisturizer after showering. More rarely, a so-called “urticaria“, also known as hives, can hide behind the red spots. Various causes, such asB.
the release of the body’s own messenger substances, lead to the formation of red spots, wheals and itching. It is assumed that external factors, such as the heat when showering, can trigger this process. If red spots appear on the face after having overcome fever, it may be rubella or three-day fever.
Both diseases are classic teething troubles.
- Three-day feverThe name of the disease reflects the classic course. Thus affected children suffer from high fever for about 3-5 days.
After the sudden subsidence, fine red spots can be observed all over the body and face. Nevertheless, the general condition of the children is quite good most of the time, so that a specific therapy is not necessary.
- RingelrötelnRingelröteln causes characteristic red spots on the face. It is easy to recognize because the redness does not affect the cheeks of the child.
By this time the disease is already no longer contagious!
- RubellaRubella causes cold-like symptoms such as fever and headache and aching limbs. After about 3 days, a characteristic rash follows, which can spread from the head to the whole body.
Nowadays the topic “sun protection” is on everyone’s lips. Especially during the vacation season, numerous manufacturers advertise their products.
Nevertheless, many people suffer from red spots on their faces after a stay in the sun. These are often the first signs of sunburn. Insufficient amount of sun protection cream, uneven application or forgotten renewal of protection are only some of the reasons.
To get rid of red spots on your face as quickly as possible, you should avoid direct sunlight for the next few days and stay in the shade more often. Moisturizing creams can have a supportive effect. If the red spots on your face start to itch and small wheals or blisters appear, you may suffer from an allergy to the sun.
The physician then speaks of a “polymorphic light dermatosis”. Here too, you should avoid the sun at first and use sunscreen products with a high sun protection factor. Anti-inflammatory creams can accelerate the healing process.
After prolonged exposure to the sun and after sports, many people tend to develop red spots on the face and trunk. These skin symptoms are mostly so-called heat spots. However, other causes of skin rashes caused by the sun may also be possible.
Heat spots (technical term: miliaria) are inflammatory processes within the sweat glands. Depending on how long the stay in the sun was or the physical strain continued, different forms of heat pimples must be distinguished. In addition, the individual sensitivity of the skin of those affected also plays a decisive role in the development of heat spots.
The term “Miliaria rubra” is used to describe those skin symptoms that are characterized by red spots, severe itching and overheating of the skin surface. In addition, the affected persons often suffer from local swelling and pain. This type of red spots on the face can appear shortly after exposure to the sun or after short training sessions.
However, particularly sensitive people tend to develop clear and bulging blisters that resemble small burn blisters. In this context one speaks of a so-called “Miliaria christallina”. While common heat pimples also appear on the face, these blistery skin changes develop preferably in the area of the back, the décolleté and under the armpits.
The reason for the development of these red spots after exposure to the sun and after sports is usually incorrect or unsuitable clothing. As soon as heat accumulates under the clothing over a longer period of time, the sweat glands can become blocked and the body temperature can no longer be regulated sufficiently. This creates a warm and humid environment on the surface of the skin where bacterial pathogens can multiply optimally and cause heat spots.
Red spots on the face, which develop after a stay in the sun or after sports, usually heal completely within a very short time. A medical intervention is usually not necessary. When alcohol is consumed, various tissue structures of the body can be affected.Most people think mainly of damage to the liver and brain, but forget that the skin can also be damaged under the influence of alcohol.
Especially the skin of the face can be affected by regular alcohol consumption. For this reason, many people who consume large amounts of alcohol have red spots on their face. This is due to the fact that alcohol consumption induces dilation of the smallest blood vessels.
In this way the blood flow in the face is increased and red spots appear on the face. These red spots are not permanent when alcohol is consumed occasionally. However, prolonged consumption can cause the spots on the face to become permanent.
In this context one speaks of the so-called “Facies alcoholica”. In addition, the influence of alcohol can lead to excessive strain on the smallest vessels in the face. As a result, they can burst and form vascular veins (spider naevi).
If these occur in the area of the nose, it is commonly called a “liquor nose”. Even after a pimple has subsided, red spots often remain on the face. These red spots usually disappear even without intervention.
However, the regeneration of the skin surface required for this can take a period of several weeks or months. Various home remedies can help to stimulate the regeneration of the skin and make the red spots disappear more quickly after a pimple. In this context, especially a massage of the local lymphatic system can help to treat the red spots after a pimple.
Affected persons should regularly massage the reddened areas with their fingertips. In this way, the irritated tissue can be loosened and the blood circulation can be stimulated. In addition, direct sunlight (or the use of a tanning bed) can help to treat red spots on the face that remain after a pimple by means of UV radiation.
The influence of UV rays bleaches the red spots and tans the adjacent skin. In this way, the entire complexion looks more even. Furthermore, the regeneration of the skin surface can also be stimulated in this way.
When using a tanning bed regularly, however, you must always ensure that you have sufficient sun protection. Excessive use of a solarium can accelerate skin aging and lead to skin cancer. Other home remedies against red spots on the face after a pimple are Various medical measures can also help the red spots on the face after a pimple heal faster.
Possible applications include chemical peelings, laser treatments, radiation treatments, magnetic field therapy and so-called microdermabrasion. If, however, the red spots on the face after a pimple are real pimple scars, as they can occur after squeezing a pimple, for example, only cosmetic surgery can help. However, this treatment method is quite expensive and complex.
- Nettle Tea
- Buttermilk
- Black Cumin Oil
- Prickly pear seed oil
- Zinc Ointment
Red spots on the face that appear in children can in many cases be traced back to a viral infection. Especially in children, skin rashes are one of the most common reasons for imagination in pediatric practice. In particular, so-called maculopapular exanthema (nodular-stained skin rash) is not uncommon in pediatric practice.
Among the most relevant viral pathogens in this context are influenza and measles viruses as well as scarlet fever. In addition, red spots on the face can also occur as an accompanying symptom of other typical childhood diseases. A chickenpox infection in children, for example, is often accompanied by reddish pustules and pronounced itching.
If the itching is not relieved, this can lead to the formation of permanent scars in the affected children. The following topic might be of interest to you: Skin rash Measles Another infectious disease that can lead to the appearance of red spots on the face in children is the so-called hand-foot-mouth disease. This is a highly contagious viral infection, but it is usually harmless.
Children of kindergarten age are particularly affected. The hand-foot-mouth disease can also occur in older children and adults.In children, the viral infection typically results in the formation of small, painful blisters on the hands, feet and around the mouth. In very severe cases, even food intake may be restricted by these blisters.
The hand-foot-mouth disease usually heals without consequences after seven to ten days at the latest. However, it must be ensured that the affected children take in sufficient food and fluids despite their complaints. In addition, red spots on the face of children can also be associated with the so-called “three-day fever”.
Three-day fever is a viral infection that mainly affects infants and toddlers. In children between the 6th month of life and the 3rd year of age, three-day fever is even one of the most common infectious diseases, which can be manifested by red spots on the face. In most cases, three-day fever heals completely within a few days without medical intervention.
For this reason, drug treatment is usually only necessary to alleviate the symptoms. In addition to the typical skin rash, the affected children develop a high fever that can last for a period of three to five days. In addition, many of those affected suffer from headaches, coughing and swelling of the cervical lymph nodes.
In addition, inflammatory processes in the area of the mucous membranes (enanthema), swelling of the eyelids (lid edema), abdominal pain and inflammation of the intestines (enteritis) are the most common accompanying symptoms of three-day fever. If a woman is pregnant, there are extensive changes in her hormone balance. Since hormonal fluctuations, as can also be observed during puberty or the menopause, are among the main causes of skin problems, pregnant women often suffer from red spots on their face.
The reason for the development of skin problems in pregnant women is the fact that the hormonal fluctuations make the skin surface more sensitive to many substances. Red patches on the face and trunk that appear during pregnancy can therefore be considered almost normal. In many cases pregnant women even report pronounced accompanying itching.
In most cases, the triggering substance cannot be precisely identified. However, pregnant women who suffer from red spots on the face or trunk may be advised to pay special attention to adequate personal hygiene. The regular use of pH-neutral soaps and water-based body lotions can also significantly improve the skin’s appearance during pregnancy.
Most diseases that cause red spots on the face are accompanied by other symptoms. Especially those diseases caused by viral pathogens show a typical accompanying symptomatology. Even before the rash on the face or the rash on the abdomen appears, most of the affected persons suffer from fever, tiredness and exhaustion.
Depending on the causative disease, the red spots on the face may be accompanied by pronounced itching and/or burning. In some infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, the itching and burning can be so severe that the involuntary scratching can hardly be avoided. However, since this leads to the formation of permanent scars, severe itching and/or burning should be treated immediately.
