Warm Skin

Skin | Dermatology | Warm Skin (Symptom)


Description

Skin is warmed by blood that flows through the vessels in the skin. Blushing, fever, or a warm environment can increase the blood flow and warm the skin more than usual. Increased blood flow may be caused by allergies, inflammation, infection or injury.

Causes

Common causes of increased blood flow and skin warming include alcohol, sunburn, medication side effects, arthritis, bursitis, lymphangitis, erysipelas, and cellulitis. Skin symptoms include a variety of different skin problems, including rash, itchy skin, dry skin, tingling, temperature changes, blisters, and discoloration. Skin symptoms can be caused by a wide variety of mild to serious diseases, disorders and conditions.

Many skin symptoms are the result of inflammatory or infectious disorders of the skin, but they can also accompany internal diseases, such as thyroid conditions and bleeding disorders. Skin symptoms can affect a small area or the full body and occur in all age groups and populations. Depending on the cause, skin symptoms can begin suddenly and disappear quickly, such as a localized allergic reaction to an ointment. Skin symptoms that persist over a relatively long period of time may be due to more serious or chronic conditions, such as psoriasis, chronic eczema (atopic dermatitis), or poor circulation. Skin symptoms can be caused by a serious, potentially life-threatening condition, such as an allergic reaction, infection, or cancer.

A rash of tiny purple spots on the skin can be due to meningitis or allergic disease, both of which can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care if you, or someone you are with, have a rash of tiny purple spots, hives or rash accompanied by wheezing, shortness of breath, or swelling of the face, mouth, tongue or throat. If you do not have these symptoms, but your skin condition is persistent or cause for concern, seek prompt medical care. Skin symptoms can be caused by other underlying conditions or diseases including: heat (rash or red skin); hypoglycemia (low blood sugar); hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid); raynaud phenomenon (spasms of small blood vessels of the fingers and toes, reducing blood circulation; stress, anxiety or depression.

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