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[ChinitoDr]

Q: For about three years I have experienced intense facial flushing and a feeling of warmth, mainly around my cheeks and lasting from a few hours to a day. Recently I saw a dermatologist who diagnosed seborrhoeic dermatitis. I thought that perhaps I had rosacea but my dermatologist thought I was too young to have this and not of the typical gender. Can seborrhoeic dermatitis cause occasional (once a fortnight) intense flushing or just redness? This problem is socially distressing for me. What other conditions could cause this? What kind of health professional would best to see? (Male, 21)

A: Seborrhoeic dermatitis can cause redness and flushing. As a starting point, it would be sensible to try any treatment suggested by the dermatologist. Rosacea is another potential cause, as you have identified, but the dermatologist does seem to have considered it and felt that it is not the cause.

Other potential causes include medications, drugs, physiological reactions (for example, reactions to stress or emotion), hot drinks and some other rare medical causes. If you find the dermatologist's treatment does not work, you could start by seeing your GP again. It may be helpful to keep a diary of when the flushes occur, what happens immediately before they occur and how long they last. This will help the GP and you make an appropriate plan.

[LAD]

What is the diference between seborrhoeic dermatitis and rashes?