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What Causes Redness In Face In A Cocaine Addict?
Posted on
Thu, 14 Jan 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 14 Jan 2016
Answered on
Tue, 16 Feb 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi,
I unfortunately made the mistake of using cocaine for 6 months last year,I was in a lot of pain with a shoulder injury(no excuse I know)I have been clean and sober 7 months now and have had intense shame as a result.I have a history of alcoholism as well.My face is very red and flushed which I believe is an indicator for other people to know I had been taking cocaine.This makes me feel even more ashamed.I am currently taking anti depressants and have had shoulder surgery 8 weeks ago.I live in XXXXXXX I have had treatment for spider veins on my face 5 weeks ago which helped but the redness is still there especially around cheeks and ears.I have considered v beam laser as the next step.I just wish I could hit the reset button and make it go away.I wake up thinking about it and go to bed thinking about it.I did mention to my doctor about face when I came back from holidays but she said it was just sunburn but that was 10 weeks ago and I still have it.I was snorting the cocaine.
I unfortunately made the mistake of using cocaine for 6 months last year,I was in a lot of pain with a shoulder injury(no excuse I know)I have been clean and sober 7 months now and have had intense shame as a result.I have a history of alcoholism as well.My face is very red and flushed which I believe is an indicator for other people to know I had been taking cocaine.This makes me feel even more ashamed.I am currently taking anti depressants and have had shoulder surgery 8 weeks ago.I live in XXXXXXX I have had treatment for spider veins on my face 5 weeks ago which helped but the redness is still there especially around cheeks and ears.I have considered v beam laser as the next step.I just wish I could hit the reset button and make it go away.I wake up thinking about it and go to bed thinking about it.I did mention to my doctor about face when I came back from holidays but she said it was just sunburn but that was 10 weeks ago and I still have it.I was snorting the cocaine.
Brief Answer:
I don't think redness and cocaine are reated
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
Cocaine is really harmful in many aspects but it is not known to cause permanent skin changes as in your case.
The redness caused by substance abuse can last either to days or sometimes for weeks but never for months. Since you stopped cocaine snorting 7 months back I do not think cocaine and facial redness are related. In fact it is possible that it could be due to some abnormality of superficial veins or simple sunburn as mentioned by your dpctor.
Rest assured it is important to understand that giving too much attention can cause more stress or the same may be responsible for redness.
I request you not to give too much attention to reduce stress level.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
I don't think redness and cocaine are reated
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
Cocaine is really harmful in many aspects but it is not known to cause permanent skin changes as in your case.
The redness caused by substance abuse can last either to days or sometimes for weeks but never for months. Since you stopped cocaine snorting 7 months back I do not think cocaine and facial redness are related. In fact it is possible that it could be due to some abnormality of superficial veins or simple sunburn as mentioned by your dpctor.
Rest assured it is important to understand that giving too much attention can cause more stress or the same may be responsible for redness.
I request you not to give too much attention to reduce stress level.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you for your swift reply.I have been over thinking this completely I know its just when I meet people they appear to make hand gestures to their nose or face while speaking with them.I know this sound mad but I do feel there is something with my appearance that lets them know I have used cocaine.I don't know if its red face? bloated cheeks?or what.I am going to AA meetings which I don't think is helping with the shame Im carrying if anything some people in the rooms treat me with some contempt and judge me because Im there from cocaine and alcohol and not just alcohol.I was very involved in my local church and I was exposed there for using cocaine as well and feel shame and judged when going to church on Sundays now.Its got so bad I don't want to leave the house sometimes.
Would you have some tools I could use to help me deal with these please?
Thank you for your swift reply.I have been over thinking this completely I know its just when I meet people they appear to make hand gestures to their nose or face while speaking with them.I know this sound mad but I do feel there is something with my appearance that lets them know I have used cocaine.I don't know if its red face? bloated cheeks?or what.I am going to AA meetings which I don't think is helping with the shame Im carrying if anything some people in the rooms treat me with some contempt and judge me because Im there from cocaine and alcohol and not just alcohol.I was very involved in my local church and I was exposed there for using cocaine as well and feel shame and judged when going to church on Sundays now.Its got so bad I don't want to leave the house sometimes.
Would you have some tools I could use to help me deal with these please?
Brief Answer:
yes they are
Detailed Answer:
Dear Mxxxxx,
Thanks for writing back to me.
If we consider it pathological doubt (it seems so although threre is need for complete assessment) it can be due to either excesdive obsessive ideas or due to dysmorphophobia. Both of these conditions are treatable with help of either ssri group of medications and cognitive behaviour therapy.
Before you can seek an expert opinion personally you can practice stop technique a kind of therapy to stop unwanted thoughts. It is difficult for me to describe in detail here but itcan be like warning our own brsin when it dstrays to those fidturbing thoughts.
At the dame time it is important to get inbolvef eith something constructive so brain remains occupied with positive things.
At the same time you should feel proud for abstinence to cocaine rather than feeling shameful. It is true you had a problem but currently you are a refined person.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards.
yes they are
Detailed Answer:
Dear Mxxxxx,
Thanks for writing back to me.
If we consider it pathological doubt (it seems so although threre is need for complete assessment) it can be due to either excesdive obsessive ideas or due to dysmorphophobia. Both of these conditions are treatable with help of either ssri group of medications and cognitive behaviour therapy.
Before you can seek an expert opinion personally you can practice stop technique a kind of therapy to stop unwanted thoughts. It is difficult for me to describe in detail here but itcan be like warning our own brsin when it dstrays to those fidturbing thoughts.
At the dame time it is important to get inbolvef eith something constructive so brain remains occupied with positive things.
At the same time you should feel proud for abstinence to cocaine rather than feeling shameful. It is true you had a problem but currently you are a refined person.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you for your advice.I have looked up the practice stop technique online and have tried using it day to day.There is definitely something about my appearance which people are noticing perhaps it could be Face bloat from cocaine.Is there anything I can do to fix any facial abnormalities caused by cocaine use?Does the bloating go away?
Thanks for your help
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you for your advice.I have looked up the practice stop technique online and have tried using it day to day.There is definitely something about my appearance which people are noticing perhaps it could be Face bloat from cocaine.Is there anything I can do to fix any facial abnormalities caused by cocaine use?Does the bloating go away?
Thanks for your help
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Brief Answer:
Please get your renal profile done
Detailed Answer:
Dear xxxxxxxx,
Thanks for follow up.
I am sorry to inform you that we do not have much to do at personal level to reduce bloating.
After seeing the attached picture I request you to get renal profile done as there is condition which can be caused by cocaine abuse and can present in similar fashion.
In case the renal function is normal there is no need to do anything but otherwise necessary action needs to be taken.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
Please get your renal profile done
Detailed Answer:
Dear xxxxxxxx,
Thanks for follow up.
I am sorry to inform you that we do not have much to do at personal level to reduce bloating.
After seeing the attached picture I request you to get renal profile done as there is condition which can be caused by cocaine abuse and can present in similar fashion.
In case the renal function is normal there is no need to do anything but otherwise necessary action needs to be taken.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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