While treating diseases, facial plethora is cured as blood volume or blood flow is reduced. Face of patient appears red and resembles erythema. Facial plethora appearance is independent of age and gender. Facial plethora itself is the sign of increased blood flow and increased blood volume which indicates the presence of a disease. Cushing syndrome is not the only reason behind facial plethora.
Other causes may include e.g familial polycythemia, drug eruption, erysipelas and skin syndrome due to staphylococcal pathogen. Toxic epidermal necrolysis rosacea, carcinoid tumor and systemic lupus erythematous are also included in main causes of facial plethora. There is no special treatment strategy for facial plethora because it disappears after complete treatment of the leading disease behind it.
Facial Plethora Symptoms
Facial plethora itself is a main symptom of many diseases. It is identified because of red skin color. The color of skin changes because of increased level of blood volume or blood flow. Facial plethora is a visible sign of Cushing syndrome. It may accompany hypertension, vasodilation and increased cardiac output. All these conditions lead towards increased blood flow and causing facial plethora. Flushing occurs on facial skin. It mostly resembles erythema. Patient feels tension on skin surface and facial veins are prominent like lines. The surface of skin becomes sensitive that a minor pressure leaves a mark on skin.
Facial Plethora Causes
Facial plethora is a clinical sign of many diseases. Cushing syndrome is the most common leading cause of facial plethora. Other than Cushing syndrome, polycythemia is a main cause. In polycythemia, excessive RBCs production causes plethora. Familial polycythemia (when there are not enough RBCs) is also responsible for facial plethora. It may be secondary to different drugs. Usually antimalarial therapy includes clofazimine, which causes redness of skin. Erysipelas is an infection around eyes and nose also causes facial plethora. Toxic epidermal necrolysis occurs just below eyes causing redness of skin.
Facial Plethora Treatment
Facial plethora itself is not a disease but is counted as a main sign of many diseases. It is considered a visual diagnostic factor of many diseases like Cushing syndrome. Facial plethora eliminates automatically when the root cause is treated. There is no specific treatment strategy for facial plethora. In case of Cushing syndrome, after surgery some changes are observed in the appearance of facial plethora. These changes show progress of treatment. As facial plethora fades, it means the root disease is treated and the surgery was successful. Facial plethora shows recovery of patient.
