Causes of an Itchy Face and Nose

An itchy face and nose can lead to plenty of discomfort. Several different skin disorders can affect the face and nose, leading to the symptom of itching. Some are temporary problems; others are chronic conditions that must be routinely managed. Consult your doctor for the final word if symptoms are persistent.

Perioral Dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis is characterized by groups of itchy or tender red bumps on the face, particularly around the mouth and nose 1. It is a temporary disorder that occurs more often in adults than in children, and more frequently in women than in men. It may be caused by bacteria and yeast in hair follicles under the skin.

Hives

Causes of a Red Nose

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Hives are red skin welts that are often itchy. They reflect the body’s reaction to either an allergen or some type of physical or emotional irritant by releasing histamine that causes hives. Hives often appear on the face, especially around the lips and eyes. Allergens that can cause hives include pollen, animal dander, medications, insect bites and food such as shellfish and nuts. Other contributing factors to hives include:

• infections
  
• emotional stress
  
• sun exposure
  
• extreme cold
  
• autoimmune diseases
  
• excessive perspiration
  
• according to the National Institutes of Health

Rosacea

The disease first appears through flushing or blushing of the face and progresses to persistent redness and pimples that typically affect the center of the face, the nose, chin, forehead and cheeks. Women tend to suffer from rosacea more often than men do, and people with fair complexions suffer from it more often than those with dark complexions, according to RosaceaNet 2. The exact causes of rosacea are still a mystery, but scientists believe that both heredity and environmental factors combine to cause the inflammation and swollen blood vessels that mark the disease.

Psoriasis

Common Skin Rashes on the Face

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This inherited, chronic disease that makes skin red, thick, scaly and itchy seems to be caused by immune system problems that accelerate skin cell growth, the National Psoriasis Foundation explains 3.cause:

• This inherited
  
• chronic disease that makes skin red
  
• thick
  
• scaly
  
• itchy seems to be caused by immune system problems that accelerate skin cell growth
  
• the National Psoriasis Foundation explains 3

Psoriasis is sometimes triggered by factors such as infection, stress, medications and skin injuries. Facial psoriasis most often appears on the upper forehead and hairline, eyebrows and the skin between the upper lip and nose.