Other Skin Conditions: Moles, Birthmarks, Dryness, Etc. / Question
Published: December 10, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am a male, 16 years old, weighing 97 pounds and five feet eight inches tall (I am extremely skinny), and I think there's something wrong with blood flow in me or something, because my face turns bright red all the time (almost the color of the text about suicide on this site). Not because I'm embarrassed, but randomly. People will tell me J***, your face is red again, I won't even have noticed. Sometimes it burns, sometimes it's not possible to feel at all. The annoying thing about it is, when I present projects and stuff, people laugh cause my face is red, I don't care, but it's just kind of creepy that it's like that all the time. Does it have to do with my weight, or is it a weird vitamin deficiency? No, I'm not anorexic, so don't start lecturing me about that. Food just doesn't really interest me.
Signed: 16 YO Male, Red All The Time
Dear 16 YO Male, Red All The Time,
Your body pushes blood towards the skin for many reasons; if your body is too hot, blood moves towards the skin to release heat. When you are in front of a crowd or embarrassed, your nervous system redirects your body's blood supply and may move some toward the skin, espcially toward the face. Blood flow to the skin can create a reddened appearance. If you are a fair skinned person, the red coloration is more noticeable.
As you have mentioned, you are a thin person. At your height and weight, your body has less fat stored that is needed for growth. That extra body mass also acts to insulate your body and lies underneath your skin. Because you do not have as much "insulation", it is possible for your blushing to be more noticeable.
While you state that you are not anorexic, it may be problematic that food does not interest you. As a growing young adult, your body needs nutrition to grow and to make the changes needed for puberty. TeenHealthFX recommends that you visit your doctor to make sure that your current diet meets the needs of your growing body. Your doctor can also review your skin coloration with you and may help to ease your concerns. If you would like to see a doctor at the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health, you can call 973.971.6475 for an appointment.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youths ages 15 to 20. 
