RED FACE FLUSH

[RolyB]

After having PMR for almost 3.5 years I am currently down to 2 - 2.5 mg prednisolone using the DSNS method weekly over the last two months. I'm fine at the moment but for the last couple of days my face has felt warm and looks flushed. I must add that I'm a 78 year-old male. Could it be that this is owning to a low dose reaction? The rest of my body is not affected.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Strange it seems to have happened such a low dose - it isn't unusual at higher doses. Or have you been out in the sun? It's pretty strong already at this time of year, especially if there is a bit of wind you don't notice.

[RolyB in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your swift reply, PMRpro. No I haven't been out in the sun. My wife noticed it first thing in the morning, and then I realized my face felt quite warm. The rest of my body is normal, in fact hands and feet quite cold. I had a cortisone injection into my right shoulder joint three days ago for chronic joint pain which has worked. I have discounted that as I assume the injection of the steroid would be localized. Other than that I feel fine.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to RolyB]

Mention it to the GP if it goes on - rosacea is one possibility which may start with occasional flushing and no doubt there are other things!

[RolyB in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks. Will do.

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, Rosacea was my first thought.

[ClarkB in reply to RolyB]

No advice here, which we like to depend on, on this site, just a similarity with your own symptoms!

I occasionally wake up with patchy red cheeks which feel hot. Not sure when they first appeared, but aware of them the last couple of months. I am down to 2/2.5 mg. Haven’t mentioned to GP because it’s so difficult to get any appointment, and there seem to be more ‘important’ things to mention in the 10 minute slot. As a result I just ignore it. No suggestions unfortunately, just my experience, and my own possibly foolish ignoring of it!

I also have icy feet and occasionally hands., and hot sweats for good measure!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ClarkB]

Does it relate to clean pillowcases? Or anything like that?

[ClarkB in reply to PMRpro]

Something I hadn’t thought about! I hadn’t even read about rosacea - heard of it, but that’s about it. Since your post earlier, have looked it up, and realise there is a connection with the immune system and gastric conditions. Am always trying to avoid reading about medical conditions, or I can convince myself that I have them. As it is, I have enough to be getting on with!

I change bedding weekly, have 100%cotton, use Ecover or equivalent washing liquid, and no conditioner. For some reason I feel my hot cheeks, before I look in the mirror. They don’t look as if I’m wearing blusher, more a redness from my nose and mouth to a patch which doesn’t spread upwards to the top of my cheeks. It disappears after a while. I hadn’t thought too much about it. I had wondered also why I have hot sweats, often during the night, almost fever like. It isn’t menopausal, and I would have thought that having these feelings when I have a low steroid dose, wouldn’t be occurring unless it’s a flare. Never sure what one of these is either! In general though I feel much better than I did a year ago!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ClarkB]

I get night sweats as soon as I go to an almost too low dose - the inflammatory process breaks through the pred until it really gets going, the daytime symptoms don't appear though.

[ClarkB in reply to PMRpro]

It’s strange how side effects change over time. Mine are mostly different now, from when I first had PMR.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ClarkB]

A few people have mentioned that

[powerwalk in reply to RolyB]

Oh well when I use to get steroid injections in my neck the red face was a side effect. It will go. It's a well known side effect.

[Telian]

I've been getting the rosy cheeks but have been going to the shops, not out long, and as the winds are cold and strong put it down to that. I took paracetamol as it was really troublesome and it has helped and now virtually gone. I had rosacea many years ago but haven't been bothered with it since. If your symptoms continues see your GP.

[Wenben]

This sounds similar to my experience after having a steroid injection in my right shoulder. I woke up two days after the injection with what looked and felt like a mildly sunburnt face. GP said it was a side effect and it wore off after a few days.

[RolyB in reply to Wenben]

Thank you very much for your reply. I suspected that it could be a result of the injection and your experience, and GPs comment, would seem to confirm this side effect. Thanks again.