Facial Flushing

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:45 am

For the last couple off weeks I've had facial flushing much of the time and some anxiety to go with it. I don't believe it's the mask ( the 432 which has been great for me ) as the redness covers all of my face as opposed to just in the mask area. I associate it more with nerves than a skin reaction but am not certain about that as I don't recall having it pre CPAP. Any ideas about possible causes ?

Was dianosed 4 months ago and had a septoplasty and turbinate reduction so I could use CPAP. Current CPAP status : After 2 months of use (100% compliance) during which progress required switching to APAP,going to full face mask to deal with mouth breathing...that was my 4th mask,using a Breathe Right strip each night,using a 10 foot hose with cover,and learning to side sleep, I am making progress. Awakenings are still an issue but I had insomnia along with the apnea for so many years I believe it's going to take a while to sort that out as far as being conditioning or others issues such as centrals,etc. Sleeping 6-7 hours. AHI ranges 1.0-1.7 and continuing to trend lower after starting over 5.0. Definitely feeling better and I thank all of you for your help. This site has been invaluable.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:00 pm

I would look at any medications for hypertension or cholesterol or vitamins you might be taking. Niacin or Niaspan can cause the sun-burn like flushing even make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:51 pm

While Snoredog makes a point, I would not wait around until I figured it out. This is certainly worth a call to your physician, because it could be a warning of something serious. And, I would definitely try to get the physician to talk to me personally, if I were you. Sometimes those communications through the office staff are mis-interpreted.

Please do not allow this to wait, even if you have to resort to an urgent care facility or emergency room. The fact that it is not limited to the parts of your face that touch the mask is what makes me a bit alarmed.

Let us all know how you make out. Best wishes.

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:30 pm

...on the other hand, snoredog makes a very good point. If you have been taking niacin for the last two weeks, that is the number one most likely cause of the facial flushing . spare yourself the trip to the E.R., it's a very common (and alarming) problem. lay off the vitamins for a few days, drink lots of water, then switch to a time-release form of niacin, and back off on the dose. niacin-induced facial flushing is not a serious condition.

if niacin is NOT the culprit, then yeah, call the nurse and get an opinion what to do next.

in the past two weeks have you joined a tanning salon? bought or sold any cold war plutonium? joined a "back to nature" resort? taken up a new hobby like glass-blowing? welding? been abducted by a UFO? be prepared to answer these standard questions.

-Ric

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:26 am

You might ask your doc about the possibility of Rosacea, which has symptoms similar to what you've described. I have a couple of friends with the condition. Not a big deal medically, from what I understand, but annoying from a personal appearance standpoint.

OCO

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:36 am

Ric - I have to say I think your answer was rather irresponsible here. Telling someone not to go to the ER (or at least their MD) is not smart when they could have e.g. very high blood pressure, or something else that should be seen to. Of course, if he's taking Niacin, that's the first thing to cut out, but I don't remember his saying he took it and it takes only minutes to at least talk to his MD. So many patients are afraid of 'bothering' doctors, wasting their time, etc., and should be encouraged to see them - after all their paying their share - rather than discouraged.

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:24 am

julie wrote:Ric - I have to say I think your answer was rather irresponsible here.

Did you actually READ the post? Do you have a problem with NURSES triaging a patient?

Ric wrote:if niacin is NOT the culprit, then yeah, call the nurse and get an opinion what to do next.

I have no problem wasting a doctor's time, or a nurses, or even a patient's. The point of my comment was that all the above "guest" would have to do is think back the last couple of weeks, "OH YEAH! about 2 weeks ago I started taking 3 grams of niacin a day, well D'UUUUUHHHHH I didn't know it could have that effect". Otherwise, as I suggested, tap in to the health care delivery system one way or another.

Then there are those who report directly to the E.R. every time their nose itches. Of the 5 years I worked in the E.R. I recall maybe 20-30 cases of "acute facial flushing". (Usually late at night, since that was my shift). To a one they involved recent self-medication of unusually high doses of niacin, based on something they read, or on the advice of a friend. A little common sense doesn't hurt.

-Ric

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:18 pm

Do you always have a problem being civil? I did read the post, but not sure you did!

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:14 pm

Sowwy, my nose was itching.

Should I call an ambulance? Or should I just dail 911. ohhhh, decisions... decisions....

"hello. operator? can you please give me the number for 911, my nose itches..."