As of: February 1, 2024, 9:08 a.m
By: Judith Braun
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If the color of your face deviates from normal, there does not necessarily have to be an illness behind it.
However, some diseases become noticeable through skin discoloration.
Every person basically has an individual basic coloring of their facial skin.
When healthy, the skin on the face usually has a slight hint of pink.
This is a sign of normal blood circulation, a light color of the blood with lots of oxygen and low blood pressure.
If the color of your face briefly deviates from its normal state, this does not necessarily mean that there is an illness behind it.
However, some illnesses can become noticeable through a change in facial color.
Changed complexion: Five illnesses, each of which can indicate
Jaundice is the most common discoloration of facial skin.
© Pond5 Images/IMAGO
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Yellow spots
: This type of skin discoloration is probably the most common and is caused by liver disease or bile disease.
This is jaundice, also known as icterus.
The yellowish discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes is caused by an increase in the bile pigment bilirubin in the blood.
According to information from the online portal
Internists on the Internet,
various causes can be responsible for the incomplete excretion and accumulation of bilirubin.
The triggers can range from gallstones to liver cancer.
Therefore, yellow discoloration of the skin should always be checked by a doctor.
Blue skin discoloration
: Large areas of blue skin discoloration are cyanosis or “blueness”.
In addition to the lips and nose, toes and fingertips are often affected by the bluish discoloration.
According to the online medical portal
MSD Manuals,
cyanosis occurs due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.
If the blue color occurs acutely, it can be an indication of a life-threatening condition.
In these cases, an emergency doctor must be called immediately.
However, if it is chronic skin discoloration, there are usually other diseases behind it.
For example, they can be a symptom of a heart defect or varicose veins (varicosis).
Red rash
: If the skin is exposed to heat for a long time, the so-called “fire blush”, which doctors call erythema ab igne (Latin for redness caused by fire), can occur.
This is a red, web-like skin rash, which can, however, disappear again.
However, with long-term and regular exposure to heat, the skin in the affected areas can even turn brownish and erythema ab igne can become irreversible.
According to the Bayerisches Ärzteblatt,
the causes of the red rash can be
various heat sources such as radiators, car seat heaters and heating pads/blankets.
But laptops or hot water bottles lying on your lap can also cause discoloration.
Red to purple discoloration
: Red to purple discoloration is usually a so-called port-wine stain.
This is usually present from birth or develops in early childhood.
A port-wine stain is a congenital, benign skin change.
It occurs because the blood vessels just below the surface of the skin are dilated.
For aesthetic reasons, cosmetic treatment may be necessary if the port-wine stain appears on the face.
Pale skin
: Reduced blood flow and low blood pressure with too little oxygen can lead to paleness around the nose or throughout the face.
But iron deficiency, general weakness, cold, cardiovascular problems, colds or gastrointestinal infections can also be reasons for pale facial skin.
If the fatigue lasts longer, a doctor should be consulted.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.