Blushing
Blushing is the involuntary reddening of the face, usually triggered by emotions such as embarrassment or stress.
Other areas of the body such as the neck, earsand upper chest can also be affected. As well as causing redness, blushing can sometimes make the affected area feel hot.
"Normal" blushing occurs when a strong emotional trigger stimulates the nervous system, resulting in the widening of the blood vessels in the face.
Thisincreases the flow of blood into the blood vessels just underneath the skin, causing your face to turn red.
Abnormal(severe or frequent) blushingcan have both psychological and physical causes, including:
Blushing can also be triggered by drinking alcohol or hot drinks, eating hot or spicy food, strenuous exercise and sudden changes in temperature.
But frequent and severe blushing can have a significant psychological impact, leading peopleto avoid certain situations and interacting with other people.
You should consider speaking to your GP if you blush frequently and it's affecting your quality of life.
If abnormal blushing is affecting your quality of life, you may benefit from treatment. The specifictreatmentofferedwill depend on the underlying cause of your blushing.
If the underlying cause is thought to be psychological, such as an irrational fear ( phobia ) or anxiety disorder, a talking treatment called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can often be effective.
Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can also help relieve any associated feelings of anxiety and worry.
If the underlying cause is physical, such as the menopause or rosacea, you may be advised to avoid common triggers such as stress, alcohol and spicy foods. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can also help women with menopausal hot flushes.
A surgical procedure called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) may be considered if your blushing is particularly severe and other treatments haven't been effective.But this type of surgery carries a risk of long-term problems such as excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) .
Find out what can cause abnormal (severe and frequent) blushing, when to seek medical advice and the available treatment options.
Read about what causes blushing, including emotional triggers, such as embarrassment, physical triggers, such as alcohol, and certain medical conditions and medications.
Read about the treatments for blushing, which will depend on what's causing it. A talking treatment, such as CBT, may be recommended if it's caused by an irrational fear.