I am 50 and I am having a lot of flushing of my cheeks. They feel hot but stay flushed throughout the day. The flushing seems to be there all the time whether I am having a hot flash or not. What can I do for this?
-Jody
Answer:
Thanks for your question Jody.
Hot flushes and reddening skin is a very common symptom among women going through menopause. For some women, hot flushes are extremely mild, while for others, they can be your worst nightmare!
How red your skin appears is usually related to the severity of the hot flush. Do you have frequent, long lasting hot flushes (a couple minutes or longer)? This could cause the skin to become reddened and actually stay red for a period of time following the hot flush.
For women with extremely severe hot flashes, then HRT would be an option. This treatment uses estrogen and progesterone replacements to rebalance the hormones in your body, bringing relief from hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms. But be sure to talk with a doctor before starting HRT to fully discuss the risks.
Since your hot flushes seem to be persistent, yet not severe, home remedies would be a better choice for easing the heat. There is evidence showing that Asian women do not experience all of the menopausal symptoms that North American women do, so researchers have been investigating the differences between their diets. They found that plants containing phytoestrogens (chemical similar to human estrogen) may help ease menopausal symptoms - so try foods containing soy or flax.
The best thing to do is try to prevent hot flushes in the first place. Here are some tips to help you stay cool:
· Practice relaxation
· Get regular exercise
· Watch your diet - no caffeine, alcohol, or spicy foods
· Avoid triggers - keep track of what causes hot flushes
If you’re constantly experiencing red skin, then you may want a doctor to take a look at it. It could be a matter of just overly dry skin, or you could have a skin condition such as rosacea, which can be controlled effectively.