Cheek Rash: Causes

What causes a cheek rash?

Cheek rashes can be caused by a variety of diseases, disorders and conditions, including infection, inflammation, allergic reactions, and autoimmune processes. A sudden or acute rash on the cheek may be due to an allergic reaction or sensitivity to a particular substance, such as a facial moisturizer, food, or medication.

A chronic or long-term facial rash may be caused by acne or an inflammatory disorder, such as rosacea. Rosacea is characterized by facial redness and flushing, particularly on the cheeks, and raised bumps that can resemble acne. The cause of rosacea is not known.

A cheek rash in an infant may be caused by trapped dead skin cells (milia) or baby acne, although other causes are possible. A cheek rash in children can be a sign of many different conditions, including eczema, allergies, and viral diseases.

In all age groups, more serious causes include a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis (tightening and closing of the airways), bacterial meningitis, systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus, and cellulitis. Cellulitis is an invasive infection of the skin and nearby tissues that can be caused by streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria.

Infectious causes of cheek rashes

A cheek rash may be caused by an infection including:

• Bacterial infection, such as those caused by streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria, including cellulitis (invasive infection of the skin and nearby tissues)

• Chickenpox

• Fifth disease (mild viral infection in children that can also cause harm to unborn babies)

• Herpes virus infection

• Impetigo (bacterial skin infection)

• Measles

• Ringworm (fungal infection)

• Shingles

Allergic causes of cheek rashes

A cheek rash may be caused by an allergic reaction including:

• Allergic contact dermatitis such as an allergy to a facial cream

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema including chronic eczema)

• Drug reaction

• Food allergy

• Irritant contact dermatitis such as a sensitivity to a perfume

Autoimmune and inflammatory causes of cheek rashes

A cheek rash may be caused by an autoimmune or inflammatory disorder including:

• Acne

• Baby acne (skin inflammation triggered by maternal hormones)

• Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis, which can affect your face and neck as well as your scalp)

• Rosacea (chronic inflammatory skin disorder)

• Systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus (disorder in which the body attacks its own healthy cells and tissues). Lupus typically produces a butterfly shaped rash that spreads over the bridge of the nose and across the cheeks.

Other causes of cheek rashes

A cheek rash may also accompany the following conditions:

• Anxiety or stress

• Erythema toxicum (benign, noncancerous skin condition common in newborn babies)

• Heat rash

• Methamphetamine abuse

• Milia (tiny white bumps of dead skin cells and other debris)

Life-threatening causes of cheek and facial rashes

In some cases, a cheek rash may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting. Serious or life-threatening conditions include:

• Allergic purpura (autoimmune bleeding disorder)

• Anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction)

• Erythema multiforme (type of allergic reaction)

• Meningitis (infection or inflammation of the sac around the brain and spinal cord)

• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (skin and mucosal loss due to a severe medication reaction)

Questions for diagnosing the cause of a cheek rash

To diagnose the underlying cause of a cheek rash, your doctor or licensed healthcare provider will ask you several questions about your symptoms. Providing complete answers to these questions will help your provider in diagnosing the cause of your cheek rash:

• When did the rash appear?

• Do you have a rash on other areas of your body?

• Do you have any other symptoms?

• Have you been in recent contact with any unusual substances or environments, such as exposure to chemicals or unusual plants, taking new medications or supplements, or traveling to a foreign country?

• Have you had the rash before?

• What is your medical and dental history? Do you have any diseases or conditions?

• What medications and over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or herbal products are you taking?

What are the potential complications of a cheek rash?

In some cases, a cheek rash itself can lead to complications, especially if there is severe itching and scratching that leads to breakdown of the skin. Scratching can introduce bacteria or fungi into the layers of skin, resulting in infection.

Serious complications of underlying causes of a cheek rash, such as lupus or meningitis, can also occur. You can best reduce the risk of complications of a cheek rash and its underlying causes by following the treatment plan you and your healthcare provider develop specifically for you.

Complications of cheek rashes include:

• Bacterial or fungal infection of the skin

• Cellulitis

• Open sores and lesions

• Permanent change in skin texture

• Permanent skin discoloration

• Scarring