Today we are going to discuss in detail a condition called Facial Plethora, also known as facial redness. If you want to know anything about it from its symptoms and causes to its treatment then you are in the right place.

Things which we are going to cover are:

  • What is Facial Plethora?
  • Causes
  • Symptoms of Facial Plethora
  • Treatment

Let’s begin!

What is Facial Plethora?

Facial plethora refers to a condition characterized by a red appearance of the face, a common observation in individuals who have increased blood flow and volume in the facial area, causing the blood vessels to enlarge and become more visible, leading to a flushed and warm appearance of the skin. However, it is important to note that although the redness is as a result of an increase in blood flow and blood volume in the face, facial plethora is not a disease in and of itself, but rather a diagnostic factor or a symptom that can be indicative of various underlying conditions. It can also be caused by a variety of temporary non-medical factors, including emotional stress, physical exertion, alcohol consumption, exposure to high temperatures or sun exposure or other forms of skin damage.

It can occur in anyone regardless of their age or even gender. Facial plethora can be observed in individuals who suffer from conditions such as Cushing’s Syndrome, as well as other medical conditions that may cause an increase in blood flow and volume in the face. And despite being linked to elevated blood volume and flow, there is limited scientific evidence that supports this relationship. The redness of the face in facial plethora is often described as a uniform and widespread flush, which can be accompanied by other symptoms such as increased sweating, skin sensitivity and dilated blood vessels.

Commonly, this condition is a diagnostic factor for Cushing Syndrome (CS) which is a hormonal disorder caused by excessive production of the hormone cortisol. It is characterized by several signs and symptoms which usually accompany facial plethora if the syndrome is the root cause. However, Cushing Syndrome is not the only root cause for this condition. It is just one of the causes. What this means is that since facial plethora is characterized with increased blood flow and blood volume, any health condition that can impact the flow and the volume of blood can lead to facial plethora. Some of them include drug eruption, staphylococcal pathogen, polycythemia vera and erysipelas and many more. If any of the above health condition is the root cause, facial plethora will disappear automatically after the condition is reversed or completely eliminated. The underlying causes and severity of facial plethora can vary widely from person to person. As such, individuals who experience facial plethora should seek medical advice to determine the cause and receive appropriate indications and treatment.

Facial Plethora causes

As already stated, facial plethora can be a clinical sign for several medical conditions such as hormonal imbalance resulting in increased blood volume and flow and leading to facial plethora; or other medical conditions that can contribute to facial redness including liver disease, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. However, CS is the most common cause of facial plethora. It can as well be caused by Polycythemia which is described by excessive red blood cells production. On the other hand, lack of enough red blood cells in the blood commonly known as Familia Polycythemia can as well be the cause.

In addition, this condition can be secondary to many drugs since certain medications can cause facial plethora by increasing blood flow and volume to the face. It can be secondary to antimalarial therapy such as Clofazimine which causes redness of the skin. It can as well be caused by Erysipelas which is an infection around the eyes and the nose. Another cause is the toxic epidermal necrosis which usually occurs just below the eyes causing redness of the skin.

Lifestyle choices can also contribute to the development of facial plethora. For example, excessive alcohol consumption can cause facial redness by increasing blood flow to the face. Similarly, certain foods and spices, such as spicy foods and hot drinks, can increase blood flow and volume to the face.

Symptoms of Facial Plethora

The first symptom is the redness of the skin. It is itself a sign for several health conditions. Several symptoms of facial redness is facial warmth or facial flushing or asthma like symptoms such as shortness of breath, weakness, weight gain and high blood pressure. The other thing is that there’s likeliness of hyper sensitivity redness on the cheeks, chin and the T-zone.

Most of the symptoms are caused by increased blood flow. The flushing which resembles erythema is likely to develop on the skin. The patients will also feel tension on skin surface. The facial veins will protrude like lines. The other thing is that the skin will be very sensitive. A small pressure on the skin is likely to leave a mark.

It is also important to note that these symptoms can vary in severity, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and changes in appetite. In some cases, facial plethora may be accompanied by other physical changes, such as weight gain or changes in the distribution of body fat.

Facial Plethora Treatment

Facial redness is not a disease but it is regarded as a clinical sign of several diseases. What this means is that the first thing the doctor is likely to do is to test and know the real disease behind this condition. After this, the doctor is likely to treat the root cause. When the root cause is treated, the condition is likely to eliminate automatically, meaning reducing facial redness.

There is no specific treatment for facial plethora that would reduce facial redness and so there’s no other way to treat it than to treat the underlying problem. A variety of medications can be used to treat the real causes of facial plethora, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and hormonal imbalances. For example, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers can be prescribed to help regulate blood flow, while oral contraceptives can help regulate hormones. In some cases topical creams and gels that contain ingredients such as retinoids, niacinamide, and corticosteroids can also help to improve the appearance of skin that has been affected by facial plethora. These products can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, and improve overall skin health.

In case the problem is caused by the Cushing’s Syndrome, the doctor is likely to do a surgery. After surgery, there will be some significant improvements on the face. Eventually the facial plethora fades meaning that the surgery was successful and the CS was completely treated.

It is important to work with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs and to monitor the progress of treatment over time. By following a comprehensive treatment plan, it is possible to reduce the symptoms of facial plethora and improve the overall appearance of your skin.

Conclusion

Facial plethora is often an easily recognizable condition, and a physical examination by a healthcare provider can usually diagnose it. However, in some cases, further diagnostic tests may be needed to rule out underlying medical conditions that may be causing the redness of the face. While it can be a diagnostic factor for some underlying health issues, it is important to seek the advice of a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of facial plethora and to receive proper advice and treatment and prevent it from progressing to more serious health issues.
 
 
About the author

Usama Azam is a medical student (MD) and providing quality health and medical information. You can visit his health tips blog called healthtippshub and get quality piece of information on tons of health and medical related topics.