1. Rosacea

One of the reasons why your skin is red might be rosacea. This is a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation and redness all over your face, including your cheeks, forehead and chin. It’s caused by enlarged blood vessels and doesn’t always cause any discomfort other than embarrassment. You can control the problem by limiting your time in the sun. Eating spicy foods and being under stress can exacerbate the issue, so try to keep both moderated as well.

2. Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis refers to the skin reaction that occurs after contact with certain substances or materials. The triggers vary from person to person, but common ones include cleaning products and dye. Some people experience the problem after exposure to certain fabrics. Plants can also produce symptoms in some people. Contact dermatitis is often itchy in combination with the redness that appears.

3. Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a broad term used to describe a skin infection. There are many different infections, but redness is a common symptom of most of them. The infection occurs due to bacteria and the redness is usually accompanied by swelling and pain. Often, the condition is treated with antibiotics, but it can be prevented by employing good hygiene and caring for wounds to keep them clean.

4. Bites or Stings

A bite or sting will often turn red at the site, though it isn’t likely to cover a large area of your body like other causes of redness do. Whether you were bitten by an insect, snake or other animal, the area often turns red. Most of the time, you’ll know you were bitten, but sometime insects can bite you without making their presence known. It’s a good idea to call your doctor if you suspect a spider bite because some can be poisonous. In addition to redness, bites and stings can also be itchy or painful. They are treated in various ways depending on the creature, but most of the time you can do so right at home.

5. Eczema

Many cases of eczema occur in children, though some don’t outgrow the condition and continue to experience symptoms as adults. The condition produces red, scaly patches of skin that sometimes ooze or get crusty. I know – not pleasant to deal with, right? Treating eczema with cortisone creams is usually pretty effective – at least in my experience. However, you can always talk to your dermatologist if they don’t work for you.

6. Allergies

Whether you’re allergic to a certain food, an animal or a plant, allergies can sometimes make your skin red. Food allergies are particularly concerning as they can be life threatening, however contact allergies are more likely to affect your skin. If you brush up against a cat and your arm turns red and gets itchy or puffy, you might have an allergy. Fortunately, they are easy to treat with antihistamines and over-the-counter anti-itch creams.

7. Reaction to Drugs

I’m not talking about street drugs – I’m talking prescription drugs. In some cases, you may experience a reaction to the medication that results in redness on your skin. Most of the time it’s due to a sensitivity to one or more of the ingredients in the drug. However, if you also experience allergy symptoms, it’s best to quit taking the pills and talk to your doctor.

Does your skin get red? I suffer from dry, chapped skin in the winter, so it’s nice to know how to treat some of the issues that might cause it. Do you know what’s behind your redness?