Red head after sport: Do you have to act?

A red face after exercise is nothing unusual: After all, physical activity circulates blood through the body, and you can see that on your face. However, when you should be careful, we explain here.

Anyone who has done sports usually shows it: heavy breathing, a sweaty body and a red head. All of these things are normal when you exercise. However, other causes can also be behind a red head after exercise.

If you are concerned, it is always advisable to be cautious – and seek medical advice sooner rather than later. We clarify which signs this can be useful for.

Red head after exercise: why does it happen?

During intensive exercise – whether endurance or strength training – our body produces additional heat. The effort activates the blood vessels and blood flow. The capillaries, i.e. the smallest blood vessels, dilate on the skin surface on the face and the face turns red. In principle, a red face during sport only means that it has good blood circulation.

By sweating, your body equalizes the temperature. If you wash your face with cold water, it should go back to your normal skin color after a few minutes. If it’s also hot, you’re even more likely to have a red face. Read more:

• “You can also jog at 30 degrees”: Heat is no excuse for Ingo Froboese
• Sport in the heat: What is possible and what is not
• Sport in high humidity: is that possible?

Basically, some people are more prone to redness than others, so someone with an even complexion isn’t automatically fitter than someone with a red face during exercise. For example, people with very fair and thin skin generally blush easily. Since blood flow is triggered by exertion, however, the effect should decrease as you get fitter – because then the heart rate will not rise as strongly and suddenly.

Tip: In order not to overexert yourself, you can pay attention to the so-called mouth-nose triangle: If the skin around the mouth and nose turns light, this means there is a risk of overheating or overexertion. It is therefore best to do sports with a partner:in, especially if you intend to exert yourself hard. Then you can take care of each other.

Red head after exercise: when is cause for concern

If you have the following other complaints along with the red head during sport, you should not overdo it with the training and seek medical advice:

• Difficulty breathing: If you have trouble breathing normally or even feel short of breath after exercising, this could indicate a possible respiratory or cardiovascular disease. Be sure to seek medical advice on this!

• Dizziness or a severe headache: Excessive blood pressure or dehydration can lead to these symptoms. Take a break, drink enough water or electrolyte drinks and consult your doctor if nothing changes.

• Unexplainable Red Head: Feel like your head turns red with minimal exertion, even without heat – and/or the redness won’t go away on its own? Then it would be advisable to discuss this with a doctor. This is the only way to rule out possible underlying health problems.

In addition, specific medical problems can lead to a red head during sport, such as hives due to exertion or sport. According to nesselsuchtinfo.de, every fifth 20 to 25 year old suffers from it. If you experience other symptoms, such as itching and hives, this may indicate hives. According to the information page, home remedies such as cold compresses, cold showers and special cooling gels from the pharmacy help.

Exercising healthy and having fun: 7 additional tips

So while a red head during exercise is usually not a cause for concern, things can still go wrong during physical exertion. In addition to the above tips for sport in summer, the following guides can help you to minimize risks and get as much exercise as possible:

1. Do you exercise in the morning or in the evening? which is better
2. Exercising on an empty stomach: healthy or dangerous?
3. Sport during the lunch break: This is how you do it sensibly
4. Sports snacks: You should eat this before training
5. Does sport have to hurt? That’s what experts say
6. Eat before or after exercise? This is how you do it right
7. Exercise every day: is it healthy?

Read more on Techzle\.com:

• Doing sports: This is how you find the right sport
• Going for a walk: A few steps a day are healthy
• Too much sitting: What happens in the body according to experts