Skin rash on the cheeks

Definition

Skin rash on the cheeks is not subject to a uniform definition, as various diseases, allergies and conditions can cause it. In general, in everyday language, skin changes, no matter of what kind, that are located on the cheeks are called rash on the cheeks. The skin changes must not only be limited to the anatomical area of the cheeks, which extend from the upper jaw to the zygomatic bone, but can also affect other skin areas.

In a narrower sense, a skin rash (exanthema) is a generalized sowing of uniform skin lesions. This means, for example, that individual reddening of the cheeks, strictly speaking, does not constitute a skin rash. One would only speak of a skin rash if a large part of the skin is affected. In everyday life, however, the term skin rash is not understood so precisely, so that almost every skin change is already commonly referred to as a rash.

Causes

A rash on the cheeks can have a variety of causes. A very common cause is an allergic reaction. Allergic skin rashes can be based on various things, such as food or drug allergies.

A very common allergic exanthema, which also affects the cheeks, occurs as a result of taking penicillin or amoxicillin. Other causes of a skin rash on the cheeks are classic childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, scarlet fever, rubella or the three-day fever. These diseases each show very characteristic skin rashes that affect not only the cheeks but also other parts of the body and are accompanied by general symptoms such as fever, cough or a general feeling of illness.

A common cause of a rash on the cheeks in adolescence is infectious mononucleosis, also known as whistling glandular fever. Typical is a patchy rash that can affect the entire body and is accompanied by feverish tonsillitis. Other skin diseases that are not medically defined as rashes, but which are nevertheless often referred to as such in the population, are rosacea and acne.

Both diseases lead to pustules, redness and inflammatory nodules in the skin, which are very often found on the cheeks. An important distinguishing feature of the two diseases are the comedones, which only occur in acne. In childhood and especially in infancy, a skin rash on the cheeks can also be due to neurodermatitis (atopic eczema).

Severe redness, dry skin and a pronounced itching are typical for this skin disease. In adulthood, it is more likely that the flexion sides of the arms and legs are affected, but the cheeks may also be involved. Allergic reactions often manifest themselves as skin rashes, also known as allergic exanthema.

The cheeks can be affected by such rashes. A common cause of an allergic rash that appears on the cheeks is a drug allergy. In principle, any drug can cause such an allergic reaction, but allergies to penicillins such as amoxicillin are common.

The drug exanthema manifests itself in patchy redness, which can affect the entire skin, and tends to itch. Food can also cause an allergic rash, which can lead to a rash on the cheeks. Common allergens are nut, soy, shellfish or celery.

Allergic contact eczema is caused, for example, by contact with nickel or fragrances. The cheeks are a frequently affected area, as fragrances in cosmetics or perfumes often come into contact with the cheeks. Allergic contact eczema is characterized by redness, blisters, itching and, in the course of time, by crust formation and scaling.