redness

Introduction

Redness in the human can be caused by a wide variety of medical conditions. Some of them have been listed below:

1. Dilated blood vessels
   These are individual blood vessels seen with the naked eye. They might be bigger than the normal blood vessels in the skin or closer to the surface. Some of the more common reasons for dilated blood vessels include:
   • Rosacea
   • Pregnancy
   • Liver disease
   • Sun damage or photosensitivity
   • Medications or surgery

2. Treatment

   Laser treatments are commonly used for dilated blood vessels caused by rosacea, pregnancy, surgery, sun damage or even natural aging.
   
   Intense Pulsed Light is another treatment option where different wavelengths of light are utilized to reduce the appearance of dilated blood vessels caused by sun damage, those with redness, or acne or rosacea, amongst others.

3. Port-wine stain
   It is a permanent birthmark usually found on the face and other parts of the body. It starts out pinkish or reddish then turns darker as the child grows.
   Treatment
   Port-wine stains usually don’t require treatment. However, it can be faded for cosmetic reasons using pulsed dye laser treatments. This treatment uses heat to cause the abnormal blood to close up and disintegrate after a few weeks, helping to shrink, fade, or possibly remove port-wine stains.

4. Red spots on face and body (Angiomas)
   Angiomas are harmless and painless benign tumors, resulting from an overgrowth of capillaries that may bleed when bumped or injured. They are commonly found on the legs, arms, face, neck, and scalp. Seek medical attention if the angioma begins to bleed, feel uncomfortable, or change in appearance.
   
   Treatment

   • Electrocauterization: involves burning the angioma using an electric current delivered by a tiny probe.

      

   • Cryosurgery: involves freezing it with liquid nitrogen to destroy it.

   • Laser Surgery: involves using a pulsed dye laser to get rid of it.

   • Shave Excision: involves removing it from the top portion of skin by cutting out the lesion or growth and using stitches, or sutures, to close the wound.

    

5. Rosacea
   Rosacea is a common condition characterized by facial flushing and signs of redness, coarseness of skin and pimples.
   
   Treatment

   • Brimonidine: tightens the skin’s blood vessels in the skin to get rid of some of the redness.

   • Azelaic acid: clears up bumps, swelling, and redness.

   • Metronidazole and doxycycline: kill bacteria present on the skin bringing down redness and swelling.

   • Isotretinoin: clears up skin bumps. Not recommended for pregnant mothers as it can cause serious birth defects.

   • Lasers: gets rid of bigger blood vessels

   • Electrocautery: uses an electric current to zap the damaged blood vessels
     
     

6. Veins Around The Nose
   They appear as fine, threadlike harmless lines that are typically pink or red but whiten under pressure. These tiny lines can vary from red to blue or purple and are commonly found on the face, nose, chin, and cheeks causing facial redness. In some cases, they can cause itching and pain too.
   
   Treatment
   Laser therapy, sclerotherapy, or excision surgery might be used to remove them.