Redness on your face after you eat may be the result of a hypersensitivity to hot or spicy foods, or it may be a sign of a more serious medical condition. Facial flushing occurs when the blood vessels in your face suddenly dilate, causing more blood flow and blood to rise to the surface of the skin. With certain conditions, you may also develop redness on your neck and upper chest, along with sweating. If the redness is accompanied by bumps, welts or pimple-like blisters, call your doctor. Rashes associated with redness may be the result of an allergic reaction.
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You may simply have a sensitivity to certain foods that causes blood flow to increase in and around your face. Spicy foods, hot beverages and hot food may trigger redness in your face. Take note if the redness on your face could be triggered by other elements while you eat, such as hot temperatures, sweating or bright sunlight. Keep a food diary of the foods that trigger your symptoms, and discuss your condition with your doctor. This will help narrow down the foods that may be responsible for your facial redness.
Certain types of food intolerance will cause facial flushing. Alcohol intolerance, histamine intolerance and monosodium glutamate, also called MSG, can all stimulate your circulatory system, leading to redness on your face. Alcohol intolerance is a genetic condition that is the result of not being able to digest and process alcohol. Histamine intolerance is sensitivity to foods that contain histamine, a chemical that naturally causes inflammation when produced in excess. The American College of Gastroenterology states that spinach, wine, eggplant and tuna all contain high levels of histamine. Monosodium glutamate is a food additive that can cause facial flushing.
If you notice a rash along with the redness on your face, you may have an allergy to certain foods. Most facial rashes from eating are the result of a food allergy. The most common foods that trigger allergic reactions include fish, tree nuts, peanuts, milk, soy, eggs and wheat. Eczema, hives and allergic contact dermatitis are the most common skin rashes that can develop from eating. Eczema causes liquid-filled blisters to form; hives develop in clusters of welts that have a flat surface; and allergic contact dermatitis is a rash that is triggered by touching a food to your skin. You can treat all three rashes with avoiding foods that trigger the allergic reaction.
If you develop other symptoms such as asthma, wheezing, chest tightness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or nasal congestion, call your doctor immediately. A food allergy may lead to a severe reaction and prove fatal if not treated.