What does a completely red facial complexion indicate?

A completely red facial complexion is typically indicative of an excess heat syndrome, which can arise from an exogenous pathogen. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a red facial appearance is frequently associated with heat in the body, suggesting an overabundance of Yang energy or an accumulation of heat due to an external pathogen, such as Wind-Heat. This can manifest as fever, irritability, and a strong pulse, all of which align with the presence of excess heat in the system.

The reasoning for why a red complexion would not be related to deficiency of blood or Qi is that such deficiencies would more commonly present as a pale or sallow complexion rather than a vibrant red. Similarly, a cold pathogen invasion would typically result in signs of coldness rather than heat, leading to a pale or bluish complexion indicative of Qi stagnation or cold conditions. Lastly, while stagnation of Liver Qi can lead to facial redness in certain contexts, it is more nuanced and not as straightforward as the manifestation of excess heat, which presents more distinctly in terms of a completely red complexion.