What Is Skin Redness?

Skin redness is a term that speaks for itself. It’s simply a way of referring to skin that has taken on a red hue. While this can happen temporarily, such as a blush or flush, it becomes more of a concern with an issue that causes the skin to stay red for a while or that reoccurs. More than likely, if you ask about skin redness, you’re inquiring about why it has happened and how to address it. There are many causes of this concern, and it can show itself in different ways depending on the cause.

Causes of Skin Redness

Redness sometimes presents itself because of external factors. Here are a few examples:

  • A sunburn can occur from overexposure to the sun’s rays.
  • An allergic reaction can happen as a response to indoor or outdoor allergens.
  • Burns, first- and second-degree burns in particular, are often accompanied by redness.
  • Contact dermatitis creates a rash due to contact with some type of allergen, and features itchiness and scaly skin in addition to redness.
  • Allergic eczema can cause redness with a rash that is brought on by allergies.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis is another skin condition that often includes redness with a rash, along with the appearance of oiliness or dryness.
  • Cellulitis is a response to bacteria or fungi that enter the skin’s barrier. This concern is accompanied by redness and other symptoms.
  • Other external factors, such as medications, bug bites or certain illnesses, may create red skin as part of overall symptoms or side effects.

Other causes happen due to a skin disease or something else happening within your body. Here are a few examples:

  • Inflammation of acne can contribute to redness on the skin’s surface.
  • Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that creates skin redness on face, along with bumps, dryness and sensitivity.
  • Psoriasis is another type of skin rash that may show a red hue in addition to symptoms like silvery skin and scaly patches.
  • Thrombophlebitis creates redness generally in a leg due to a blood clot in a vein.

Depending on the cause of skin redness on face or body, your skin may show signs in addition to the redness, which can help in narrowing down the cause. For instance, there may be irritation, scaling, peeling or itchiness. Looking up the various symptoms you’re experiencing can offer a better idea of what is behind your skin redness. You may also be aware of a direct cause, such as a bug bite, sunburn or hot water burn. You could also receive a diagnosis from a dermatologist.

Discovering your best skin starts with knowing your skin type.

Skin Redness on Face Treatment

Varying based on the cause, there may be steps you can take to reduce skin redness. Some cases may require medical attention. However, for fairly common skin issues that create redness, such as rashes or acne, tools like these may provide relief and encourage healing:

  • JeNu Plus

    Shop JeNu Plus

    The JeNu Plus tool uses ultrasonic vibrations and allows skin care products to penetrate six times better. When paired with a serum that targets redness, it helps with this skin concern. You can also use it with serums focusing on other skin symptoms and concerns like dryness and signs of aging.

    Shop JeNu Plus

  • RejuvaliteMD

    Shop RejuvaliteMD

    The RejuvaliteMD device provides light therapy that helps to reduce redness and soothe skin irritation, among other benefits.

    Shop RejuvaliteMD

  • UltradermMD

    Shop UltradermMD

    The UltradermMD device uses microdermabrasion that may manage redness, radiance and complexion while exfoliating, boosting absorption of skin care products, buffing rough patches and more.

    Shop UltradermMD

You can see that these tools also manage certain symptoms that sometimes accompany redness, such as dryness or scaly patches.

How to Reduce Skin Redness

Adapt a treatment plan to the type of skin concern you’re experiencing. Understanding the problem better may require performing research on your symptoms and/or visiting a dermatologist. Some mild or common concerns, such as a mild rash or burn, may clear up on its own. You may soothe the redness and other symptoms faster and provide relief through steps like using a microcurrent tool and/or applying soothing lotions or ointments to the skin. In cases like allergies, you may need to avoid exposure.

If you’re not finding relief on your own, you may want to visit a physician, particularly a dermatologist. This skin expert may make targeted recommendations and/or prescribe a topical or oral treatment for the specific problem. For example, dermatologists tend to recommend dandruff shampoo and topical medicine for seborrheic dermatitis, tailored treatment for the type of rosacea you have, or medication and light therapy for psoriasis.

Skin Redness and Itching

Itchiness is a symptom that often accompanies skin redness, and the act of scratching your skin may also contribute to redness. Itchiness and redness may go hand-in-hand with certain issues like rashes, bug bites, skin infections and allergic reactions.

When to Seek Professional Help for Skin Redness

In some cases, redness of the skin indicates a serious problem that requires medical intervention.

Some medical emergencies that include red skin are:

  • Severe burns, including chemical burns
  • Medication allergy or side effect
  • Cellulitis
  • Severe bites or stings

If you think you have one of these problems, seek immediate medical help. You should also do so if you notice skin redness along with:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Severe pain
  • Redness around the eyes impacting vision
  • Loss of consciousness
  • A burn two times the size of your palm

Beyond medical emergencies, a primary care physician or dermatologist can help with many skin conditions that are creating redness and other symptoms. These professionals can provide a diagnosis, help you understand the causes and recommend appropriate treatment for the situation. It’s especially worth seeing a medical professional if you have an ongoing skin problem that sticks around or continues to reappear.

Conclusion

Skin redness is a type of symptom that could indicate a wide variety of health conditions or concerns. Considering the other symptoms accompanying the redness gives a good clue to better understand what is going on. The redness may be caused by an internal or external concern, and it could be mild to severe. Some of these skin issues clear up on their own or are relieved by simple treatments, while others may require prescription treatment or even immediate medical attention.

For common redness, gentle actions like Trophy Skin’s microdermabrasion or microcurrents may offer relief, as can simple over-the-counter creams or ointments. For other concerns, you may need to seek out a medical professional’s diagnosis and guidance. Overall, treatment is usually possible to relieve redness and other symptoms that go along with it. Treatment simply works best if you match it to the specific underlying cause of the redness.