Overview
Your skin is very delicate and prone to injuries. When your skin becomes injured or irritated due to allergies, cosmetics, chemical application, abrasions or cuts, it becomes red or inflamed. This redness is a healing mechanism called inflammation, where your leukocytes (white blood cells) rush to the injured skin areas. During the healing process, your skin can remain red for several days. However, there are remedies you can apply to make skin redness clear up.
Step 1
Apply calamine lotion to reddened skin areas twice daily or when needed. Calamine lotion can calm irritated and itchy skin. Make sure to read the directions in the packaging before applying to your skin.
Step 2
Apply an ice pack or cool compress to suppress the swelling and itching. Wrap one cup of ice cubes in a clean towel, and place on the affected skin areas for five minutes at a time and whenever needed. Applying a cold compress will stop the itching and redness by cooling your skin.
Step 3
Apply an over-the-counter steroid cream, such as hydrocortisone cream, to help treat reddened skin. Hydrocortisone works by repairing the injured capillaries (small blood vessels) under the reddened skin areas. Follow the instructions with the cream before applying it to your skin.
Step 4
Take an over-the-counter antihistamine. Take one tablet every four to six hours or as directed until the redness has disappeared. Antihistamines blocks the effects of histamine, a chemical your body makes that causes itchiness and redness to occur.
Step 5
Consult your physician or dermatologist. If you have prolonged pimples or redness on your face, you may have rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic skin problem commonly mistaken for acne. It is caused by dilation (enlargement) of small facial blood vessels called capillaries. Common causes include bacterial infections and/or genetic factors. Rosacea is not dangerous and is easy to control. However, it can cause significant social, occupational and psychological problems if left untreated. Your dermatologist will assess your facial skin and provide information on the latest treatments.
