Why Is My Face Red After Eating Spicy Foods?

Most people living in the United States prefer spicy foods over mild alternatives. In fact, nearly 75% of Americans report that they typically add hot sauce to their meals. Plus, more and more restaurants are spicing up their menus with increasingly hot foods that even include ghost peppers. 

Spicy foods contain a compound known as capsaicin that gives it that characteristic heat. Because capsaicin is a chemical irritant, you experience that feeling of warmness and the sensation that your tongue and mouth are on fire. 

If spicy foods also turn your face bright red, you’re not alone. Since spicy food has such a kick to it, your body can react in many different ways, and it could be for a number of reasons. 

At Thomas Dermatology, our team of dermatologists understands that it can be frustrating to deal with a ruddy complexion every time you eat something with some heat. So, this month’s blog focuses on some common reasons why spicy food might be turning your face red. 

You have contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a rash that develops when your skin comes into contact with an irritating substance or something you’re allergic to. Different people can have varying triggers for contact dermatitis, but spicy food can definitely be one. Because spicy food has capsaicin, if it comes into contact with any area of your face, you might break out in a rash.

You can treat a rash from contact dermatitis by placing a cool washcloth on the affected area before applying a soothing and hydrating moisturizer. 

You have rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by flushing, visible blood vessels, and red pus-filled bumps. Typically, symptoms of rosacea are made worse when you come into contact with a trigger, and spicy food is a common one for rosacea. This is because capsaicin causes blood vessels to dilate, which is exactly what triggers rosacea. 

Unfortunately, if spicy food triggers your rosacea, you may need to find milder alternatives to your favorite spicy dishes.

You’re going through perimenopause

During perimenopause, your estrogen levels decline as you approach full menopause. Drops in estrogen cause your hypothalamus to have trouble regulating your body temperature, leading to a common symptom of perimenopause known as hot flashes. 

Hot flashes cause a feeling of intense heat that isn’t always directly a result of your surroundings. Many people have hot flash triggers though, and spicy food is one of them. When you eat spicy food and your blood vessels dilate, it’s common to experience a hot flash that can include a flushed face.  

If facial redness after eating spicy food is simply due to hot flashes, you can avoid spicy food altogether or patiently wait for the hot flash to subside. 

Seek expert dermatologic care for facial redness

For questions regarding facial flushing after consuming spicy food or any other dermatology-related concerns, schedule an appointment with our team. Simply call your nearest office location, or book online with us today. We proudly serve the Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, and Lake Havasu City, Kingman, and Bullhead City, Arizona, areas.