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What Causes Recurrence Of Facial Flushing And Runny Nose?
Question: For the past three years I have had facial flushing for about 3 weeks at this time of year. In 2010 I had a urine test when I asked about carcinoid syndrome, but it was negative. The flushing came back a year later and it's back now for about 2 weeks. It's not triggered by food or stress, and there are no other symptoms.I forgot to mention that I sometimes have a runny nose.
Brief Answer:
It might be seasonal allergy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena and I read carefully your problem.
Since you have facial flushing and runny nose repeating at the same time every year the only possible diagnosis I can think about is seasonal allergy.
Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up in spring when there's a lot of pollen in the air.
I suggest you to use oral antihistamines for a couple of days and see if this relieve your symptoms.
Antihistamines can help relieve allergy symptoms. Examples of oral antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy, others) and fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy).
If the use of one of this drugs for some days improve your symptoms then this serves also to confirm the allergy diagnosis.
Hope I was able to help you.
If you have any further question please feel free to ask me,I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Rovena Murati
It might be seasonal allergy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena and I read carefully your problem.
Since you have facial flushing and runny nose repeating at the same time every year the only possible diagnosis I can think about is seasonal allergy.
Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up in spring when there's a lot of pollen in the air.
I suggest you to use oral antihistamines for a couple of days and see if this relieve your symptoms.
Antihistamines can help relieve allergy symptoms. Examples of oral antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy, others) and fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy).
If the use of one of this drugs for some days improve your symptoms then this serves also to confirm the allergy diagnosis.
Hope I was able to help you.
If you have any further question please feel free to ask me,I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Loratidine seems to work somewhat, ceterizine not much at all. Is there any other OTC anti-histamine I might try, which is perhaps a little stronger? And how long should one take these medicines?
Brief Answer:
OTC oral antihistamines is Fexofenadine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Another OTC antihistamine is Fexofenadine that you can try to see how it works for you.
You can take oral antihistamines as long as your symptoms persist.
Since oral antihistamines has relieved your symptoms the diagnosis of seasonal allergy is more likely.
In this case since your symptoms repeat every year it is very important to be identified the allergen that causes you this allergy.It can be pollen from a specific tree or flowers with which you are in daily contact.
I suggest to consult a allergist doctor who is a doctor trained in allergy.
A careful history should be taken of the timing of symptoms, identifying plants and trees that grow in the area and whether relief is obtained by going away on holiday.
When this history has been obtained, confirmatory allergy tests (skin prick tests and/or blood allergen specific IgE tests) should be performed using allergens which are appropriate for the area of residence and work.
If it is possible to confirm the allergen causing the allergy, then minimising exposure to the allergen may reduce symptoms.
After examination and skin tests the doctor can give you the right treatment and a large list of tips how to avoid the exposure to the allergen in order to relief your symptoms.
If oral antihistamines doesn't control your symptoms are other medication that can be used such as mild corticosteroid cream to apply in the affected skin or Oral Corticosteroids but these treatment are available with prescription.
Hope my answer has helped.Let me know if you have more questions.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Rovena
OTC oral antihistamines is Fexofenadine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Another OTC antihistamine is Fexofenadine that you can try to see how it works for you.
You can take oral antihistamines as long as your symptoms persist.
Since oral antihistamines has relieved your symptoms the diagnosis of seasonal allergy is more likely.
In this case since your symptoms repeat every year it is very important to be identified the allergen that causes you this allergy.It can be pollen from a specific tree or flowers with which you are in daily contact.
I suggest to consult a allergist doctor who is a doctor trained in allergy.
A careful history should be taken of the timing of symptoms, identifying plants and trees that grow in the area and whether relief is obtained by going away on holiday.
When this history has been obtained, confirmatory allergy tests (skin prick tests and/or blood allergen specific IgE tests) should be performed using allergens which are appropriate for the area of residence and work.
If it is possible to confirm the allergen causing the allergy, then minimising exposure to the allergen may reduce symptoms.
After examination and skin tests the doctor can give you the right treatment and a large list of tips how to avoid the exposure to the allergen in order to relief your symptoms.
If oral antihistamines doesn't control your symptoms are other medication that can be used such as mild corticosteroid cream to apply in the affected skin or Oral Corticosteroids but these treatment are available with prescription.
Hope my answer has helped.Let me know if you have more questions.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Rovena
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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