From the Guidelines
The facial flushing, burning, and warm sensation you're experiencing after starting antibiotics for a dental abscess is likely an adverse reaction to the medication, and you should contact your healthcare provider immediately to report these symptoms. This reaction could be due to the antibiotic triggering histamine release or directly causing blood vessel dilation in some individuals, leading to the flushing and warmth you're experiencing 1. Common antibiotics prescribed for dental abscesses include amoxicillin, clindamycin, or metronidazole, and reactions can occur with any of these. While mild flushing sometimes resolves on its own, these symptoms could potentially progress to a more serious allergic reaction. In the meantime, take your temperature to check for fever, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol which can worsen flushing with certain antibiotics like metronidazole. Don't discontinue your antibiotic without medical advice, as untreated dental abscesses can lead to serious complications, such as the spread of infection to other parts of the body or the development of life-threatening conditions like sepsis 1. Some key points to consider when managing a dental abscess include:
- Incision and drainage is the primary treatment for a cutaneous abscess, and antibiotic therapy may be recommended for abscesses associated with certain conditions, such as severe or extensive disease, signs and symptoms of systemic illness, or associated comorbidities or immunosuppression 1.
- Empirical therapy for CA-MRSA is recommended for outpatients with purulent cellulitis, and options include clindamycin, TMP-SMX, a tetracycline, or linezolid 1.
- Cultures from abscesses and other purulent SSTIs are recommended in patients treated with antibiotic therapy, patients with severe local infection or signs of systemic illness, patients who have not responded adequately to initial treatment, and if there is concern for a cluster or outbreak 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Possible Causes of Facial Flushing, Burning, and Warm Sensation
- Facial flushing, burning, and warm sensation after diagnosis of a dental abscess and initiation of antibiotic therapy may be caused by an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to the antibiotics prescribed 2.
- Another possible cause is the release of endotoxins from the bacteria as they are killed by the antibiotics, which can cause an inflammatory response and lead to symptoms such as flushing and burning 3, 4.
- It is also possible that the facial flushing, burning, and warm sensation are unrelated to the antibiotic therapy and are instead a symptom of another condition, such as a skin disorder or a neurological condition.
Antibiotic-Related Side Effects
- Antibiotics can cause a range of side effects, including hypersensitivity reactions, dermatological and allergic disorders, and gastrointestinal problems 2, 4.
- In some cases, antibiotics can also cause more severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome 4.
Treatment of Facial Flushing
- Botulinum toxin-A (BTA) has been shown to be an effective treatment for facial flushing, reducing the severity of symptoms and improving quality of life 5.
- Other treatments for facial flushing may include avoidance of triggers, use of topical or oral medications, and lifestyle modifications.