If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Why does my skin look red? From a sunburn to an allergic reaction, there are many things that can cause your skin to become red or irritated. It may be because extra blood rushes to the skin’s surface to fight off irritants and encourage healing. Your skin can also become red from exertion, such as after a heart-pounding exercise session. It’s not always a reason for concern, but skin redness can be irritating and uncomfortable. It might also be accompanied by other symptoms. Figuring out its underlying cause can help you treat your skin and keep it from happening again.

When do I seek medical help for skin redness? You should get immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms associated with skin redness: a burn that’s twice the size of your palm

difficulty breathing

extreme pain

loss of consciousness

redness near or on your eyes that is affecting your vision You should also get medical attention if you have an animal bite, even if you’ve had a tetanus shot. See a healthcare provider or dermatologist for other symptoms that aren’t considered a medical emergency.

How’s skin redness diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will examine your skin redness. If your symptoms come and go, they’ll listen to your description of them. They’ll ask you a few questions. These could include: What activities were you engaging in before you noticed the skin redness?

Are you taking any new medications or using any new skin care or cleaning products?

Do you have a family history of any skin conditions?

Have you experienced this skin redness before?

Were you around others who may have a similar rash? These and other questions can help your healthcare provider figure out what may have caused your skin redness. Additional testing may include taking a skin sample or biopsy of the affected area, or allergy testing to determine if your skin reacts to certain irritants. Ask your healthcare provider if your skin condition may be contagious and what steps you can take to prevent its spread. This can ensure that you don’t pass on the skin redness to someone else.