If you have low niacin levels in your body or certain types of medical conditions such as high cholesterol or heart disease, your doctor may recommend treatment with a niacin supplement. Niacin, also referred to as vitamin B-3, is a water-soluble vitamin found naturally in several food sources, including beef, fish, poultry, whole wheat bread and peanuts. Treatment with niacin may cause minor problems, including a side effect called "niacin flush." Discuss the side effects of niacin flush with your doctor before beginning treatment with a niacin supplement.
Skin Discoloration
If you experience niacin flush after taking a dose of niacin, you may notice that the skin across your face or upper chest appears unusually red or splotchy. This side effect develops because niacin dilates your blood vessels, increasing the flow of blood at the surface of your skin. Skin redness may be embarrassing but can be controlled if you take an aspirin approximately a half-hour before taking a niacin supplement, MayoClinic.com reports. Red skin discoloration is temporary and will subside within a few hours of treatment.
Skin Tingling or Itching
You may develop unusual sensations of tingling or itching across your skin due to niacin flush after taking this vitamin B-3 supplement, Drugs.com warns. These sensations may be uncomfortable and may cause you to scratch at the affected skin region. Tingling and itching sensations may occur across any region of your body and generally resolve shortly after you take a dose of niacin.
Skin Warmth
A sensation of warmth may develop across your body if you develop niacin flush as a side effect of taking niacin, Drugs.com reports. You may also notice that your skin feels unusually warm to the touch. Skin warmth typically occurs in conjunction with skin redness and progressively diminishes a few hours following niacin treatment.
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