Embarrassing Illnesses

The treatment for blushing will depend on what is causing the condition. If blushing is due to another condition, such as the menopause, or a skin disorder, such as rosacea, the condition needs to be diagnosed and treated appropriately.

Teenagers tend to grow out of blushing if it is caused by anxiety, feeling nervous, or hormonal activity.

If flushing is triggered by eating hot and spicy foods, or drinking alcohol, avoiding these triggers will help to control your symptoms.

Psychological treatments

If your blushing is caused by nervousness, or social phobia, there are a number of psychological treatment options available including:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - a form of therapy that helps to identify and eliminate unwanted thoughts, and can help you to change your behaviour in response to those thoughts.
• Breathing techniques - to help relieve anxiety and rapid breathing.
• Changing thoughts - a technique to change and redirect your thoughts so blushing episodes are reduced.
• Clinical hypnotherapy - a technique that may help you to reduce your fear of blushing.
• Paradoxical intention - a technique to intentionally bring on symptoms of blushing to cancel out the anxiety.

Colour-corrective moisturiser

Blushing can be camouflaged using a green colour-corrective moisturiser. They are also useful for covering up broken veins.

Some colour-corrective moisturisers can be used under a foundation. Others that are suitable for using on their own can be particularly useful for men with blushing problems. Hypo-allergenic brands are suitable for sensitive skin, and can be bought over-the-counter (OTC) from your local pharmacist.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy

Surgery may be considered in cases of severe facial blushing which are accompanied by excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).

An endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) can be performed, in which some of the nerves that cause your facial blood vessels to widen are cut. Surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic.