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Conditions

Blushing

Front view of Rosacea on neck

Although many of these conditions could leave you red in the face – blushing is brief, milder, and often seen as a reflection of embarrassment, guilt or nervousness. Other causes include spicy foods, high fever, exercise, certain drugs and the menopause, where women experience the infamous hot flushes. Blushing happens when tiny muscles in the blood vessels relax allowing more blood to pass through, whilst flushing makes the person markedly red on the face and other areas of the skin. The latter can be brought on by lots of reasons similar to blushing, but allergic reactions and dehydration can contribute to this. Rosacea, on the other hand, is a condition that looks like a flush or a blush, and can progress from persistent to intermittent redness with pimples without blackheads and red lines where the blood vessels of the face become prominent. Aggravated by certain foods and environments, rosacea responds to treatment but is incurable.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

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hi i am 21 year old male and my skin is very fair,wouldnt say pale but fair and im always getting these hot flushes but only to my face which makes it so much worse i can be just stood there with a crowd of people and i get it going into shop and i get it walking down the street,just talking to some one and it comes on its horrible becasue when i want to be i am actually quite confident untill this happens and then i look like a wolly. im getting so self consious about it now that it happens on a regular basis like at least a few times a day and when someone notices i get worse dont know what to do this is driving me mad i never used to be like this any help would be great thanks





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I'm a 24 year old lad and i think it was when i was 22 i noticed suddenly my cheeks began to have a redness to them. the redness is effected by different environment, e.g. if a room is hot or if i'm put on the spot and unfortunately exercise...which i used 2 do alot but now get so imbarrassed i dont bother! Drinking also sometime sets it off. i have noticed a line where the redness is. I used to be such an out going confident person, but not anymore, it's completely destryed my confidence, please can anyone help?





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What is idiopathic craniofacial erythema, because i think i have it. I have been looking on internet because my face, neck and chest often goes bright red even when i am not hot. Also my knees go hot and red. What is wrong with me as this is controling my life.How do i get hold of beta blockers for facial blushing, as it said on the internet that they will help.





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I suffer from "facial blushing" and my neck & chest goes all blotchy even when i am not even hot, it just happens anytime when i least expect it. My knees go all red & hot too accasionally. Why is this happening, it is ruining my life. I can't even wear low cut tops because i never know when i'm going to go blotchy red. It is embarrassing because people say what you going red for. I am quite outgoing but can't be myself through this. Please help me!





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Hi, I don't have an answer but i can sympathise becasue i have teh exact same problem. I can't wear low cut tops- I live in polo necks and dread the summer as i can't wear them and I know people see my neck going red- it controls my life too. I started taking beta blockers and they have helped stop the severe blushes but haven't solved it completely. I read that botox injections can stop the blushing and I am going to see a doctor soon who might be able to help. You should ask your doctor about these things.

Hi, I'm 15 and for as long as i can remember i have had a problem with red cheeks, even when i'm not embarrassed. I dont know what causes it and nothing i do helps. I have used Aqueous cream for many years and found it calms it so it doesn't sting but it doesn't get rid of the heat and the redness. I also have very sensitive skin, so i find it hard to try different creams for it. Any advice please? :)





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I'm 18 and have recently begun blushing in any moment remotely awkward. I am fair and so have always blushed when embarrassed etc; however, I now blush when asked simple questions, when giving presentations, when getting my hair cut. The anticipation of blushing gets me worked up - often leading to a feeling of anxiety and excessive sweating. It is beginning to worry me. I am going to start applying for jobs; but work myself up about blushing in interviews. I need help.





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Hi. Im 23 and have suffered with going red quite some time. Its happening more often latley I cant even talk 2 groups of friends and family witout it happening. My daughter is now 2 and I want 2 start taking her new places but cant because im too scared! Its ruining my life! Please help! X





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I am 22 and have a problem with my hands. They are nearly always cold and go purple and blue in colour. If i have my hands down by my side or in my pocket they get very red. The only time they are a normal pale colour is when I am in moderately warm room. Is there any cure for them.





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I began suffering from 'blushing' from the age of about 14. It pretty much controlled my life up until 35 - I blushed ALL the time - I felt terrible + began to alienate myself. I then took myself off to a psychologist who, after exploratory sessions diagnosed me with soial anxiety. The treatment has been a combination of cognitive therapy in conjunction with medication (Paroxetine)which I now take daily. This has made a massive impact on my life + I now feel much more liberated to engage with life to the fullest degree. It is well worth chatting to your GP about it. Good Luck.





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Please help, non-stop red cheeks! there always deep blood red and it makes me look stupid, i have continually searched the internet for treatments, remedies and relief substances but apparently it is incurable! I need help!





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I have suffered from blushing on my face neck since was in my early twenties and put up with it until about 6years ago.My sister who also had bad flushes told me about a foundation make up called veil it is used for people who have birth marks or any other marks or blushing on the skin.It has given me much more convidence as i dont feel everyone is looking at me when i know i am having aflush.And i find i dont flush as often because i know it isnt as obvious to people.





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Blushing is when your face, ears, neck and, occasionally, your upper chest, become red in colour. The redness is sometimes accompanied by a hot feeling in the area. Blushing is sometimes referred to as 'flushing' by health professionals. Read More »

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