What Do Sudden Rashes Appearing On The Face Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 12 Oct 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 Answered on

Mon, 6 Nov 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My wife had a sudden rash appear on her face around her eyes and cheeks. Alos short of breath. We had just finished dinner and were having a glass of wine. The rash went away in about an hour. This was the second time in three days. She is 60 and has never seen this before. She drinks white wine regularly 3-4 glasses per day.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hives

Detailed Answer:
Hello. thank you for writing to us.

I am Dr. kakkar(Dermatologist). I have gone through our query and I have noted your concern.

Perhaps she had an episode of Acute Urticaria i e Hives which presents as wheals and surrounding flare. Hives are itchy. They are evanescent i.e last for a few hours and then disappear
Acute Urticaria can happen commonly in response to an infection(viral flu, bacterial, fungal, dental infection etc), food and food preservatives, medications, alcohol etc. Perhaps wine is a cause in her as the reaction happened while she was consuming wine.
I suggest for her a tablet of cetrizine 10mg once a day for 7- 10 days. Topically she may use a soothing lotion e.g calamine lotion.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj