How to Prevent a Flushed Face after Eating

March 5, 2010

If you are prone to getting a flushed face after eating, there are several ways you can alleviate the problem. This is generally not a serious issue and usually does not indicate a serious underlying health concern. It can, however, be rather annoying and embarrassing.

How It Happens

Your skin, particularly the skin on your face, has lots of tiny blood vessels just beneath the surface. Certain things can cause these vessels to dilate and as your heart rate increases, it causes the blood to rush through these dilated vessels, close to the surface of the skin. When your heart rate decreases and the blood vessels return to normal, the flush you are experiencing comes to an end.

What Triggers a Flush

There are certain factors that can trigger a flush, and you can track these down by simple observation. Start by paying attention to what you eat. If you eat a lot of spicy foods, these will trigger a flush. What about your beverage? Too much alcohol or too many hot drinks can cause a flush. Finally, pay attention to how quickly you are eating. If you are in a hurry and are eating too fast, your heart rate will elevate and you will get flushed. Try slowing down, and see if that alone doesn’t alleviate the problem.

Other Possible Triggers

There are other common triggers that don’t have anything to do with the foods you consume. These factors include:

Certain medications
Harsh facial cleansers
Vigorous exercise
Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy or menopause
Sun or wind exposure

If you are worried that your flush may be an indication of a serious underlying health issue, contact your primary care physician. She can administer tests that will rule out the possibility of these rare illnesses and make recommendations for other lifestyle changes that can help combat flushed skin.