Flushing fremkaldt af nikotinsyre menes at opstå som følge af frigivelsen af et stof kaldet "prostaglandin D2" (PGD2) fra hudcellerne, hvilket udvider blodkarrene i huden.
Flushing due to nicotinic acid is thought to occur because of the release of a substance called ‘ prostaglandin D2’ (PGD2) from cells in the skin, which dilates (widens) the blood vessels in the skin.