OMG - I Have A Red Sore On My Cheek! Am I Going To Die?

December 16, 2021

Few things are scarier than googling the details of a strange new sore that just popped up on your face. The internal guessing game you play with yourself changes after you read about every undetected illness you think you may have as a result of one tiny little spot. Before you assume the worst and start frantically checking off items on your bucket list, consider these health conditions as an explanation for the red sore on your check.

Acne Vulgaris

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Acne vulgaris, otherwise simply known as acne, occurs when glands in the skin become inflamed or infected. Although this condition is common among teenagers, people of all ages can suffer from acne. Symptoms include pimples, bumps, sores and blackheads that can occur anywhere on the body. Acne medications are available in oral and topical form. If skin is sensitive, look for a topical face wash without harsh chemicals. Eliminating processed sugars from the diet is another way to prevent occurrence of acne.

Lupus

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Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s own immune system attacks the skin. Lupus rashes are caused by severe inflammation and can occur anywhere on the skin in the form of a blotchy red patch covering a fairly large area. Antimalarial medications are available to treat rashes associated with the disease. Diet intervention should include an anti-inflammatory diet free of processed sugars and high in fruits and vegetables to control flaring.

Aphthous Ulcer

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An aphthous ulcer is also known as a canker sore. Although they usually occur inside the mouth, an ulcer can appear on your cheek as well. The sores are usually painful but unlike a cold sore they are not contagious. Medications and oral treatments are available to speed up the healing process; however, most canker sores go away on their one in one or two weeks. Icing can be used to dilute the pain and inflammation around the sore.

Rosacea

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Rosacea is a skin condition in which redness and small red sores appear on the face due to the expansion of red blood vessels. It is often confused with acne. Although it can affect people of all ages, rosacea is most common in middle-aged women with pale skin over the age of thirty. Medical treatments include acne medications and antibiotics. Rosacea has no known causes but it seems to run in families.

Psoriasis

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Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that occurs when skin cells multiply up to ten times their normal rate. Access skin cells pile up on each other and cause a patch of red skin that is often dry, itchy and may be covered in scales. In most cases, psoriasis covers a large area of skin but small sores on the skin may develop as well. Psoriasis may be triggered by factors that stress the immune system such as stress, infections, and the common cold.

Wart

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Warts are skin growths that are caused by a certain form of virus called human papillomavirus. They are not cancerous and can occur anywhere on the body. Most warts are generally the same color as your skin but can easily appear red and inflamed in some cases. Warts can be surgically removed or treated at home by boosting your immune system with proper diet and exercise. Holistic remedies include applying garlic, pineapple or tea tree oil directly to the wart with a cotton ball.

Boil

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Boils, otherwise known as a skin abscess, occur when hair follicles or oil glands become infected. They first appear on the skin as a red spot and then a lump underneath the skin appears. After several days, pus begins to form underneath the sore. If several boils appear in the same area, they are collectively known as a carbuncle. Boils are most likely to occur in those with diabetes, a poor diet, and in those with exposure to skin-irritating harsh chemicals.

Shingles

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Shingles are formed from the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is characterized by a painful rash that may appear as blisters on the body. It occurs when the chickenpox virus is reactivated and causes irritation to nerve tissues. Although the blisters usually appear on the trunk of the body, a shingles rash may also develop on the face. Antiviral medications are generally used to treat the rash. A childhood chickenpox vaccine greatly reduces the risk of developing shingles.

Bug Bite

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The red sore on your cheek may be nothing more than a bug bite, which may go away in several days. Some people have dangerous reactions to bug bites. Mosquito, mite and flea bites are red and itchy while bed bug bites are generally painless, smaller and appear in a straight line or a cluster. Antihistamines and hydrocortisone creams may relieve pain and itching and speed up your recovery. Seek medical treatment if the sore does not go away in several days or becomes progressively worse.

Eczema

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The red sore on your cheek may be a form of an inflammatory skin condition that causes several different types or rashes or swelling. Eczema forms dry, itchy skin on the face and other areas of the body. The cause is not known but this condition may be worsened by stress, allergens, and certain soaps or facial products with harsh chemicals that may cause irritation. Switching your facial soap to a hypoallergenic brand may help improve the condition.

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