Blushing, when cheeks, neck, chest or the entire face turns a shade of pink or red, is typically caused by emotion. We blush when we're embarrassed, excited, crying or angry. Hot and spicy foods can cause blushing. Uncontrollable, spontaneous blushing is a medical condition known as idiopathic craniofacial erythema. To stop a blush in its tracks or curtail a blush from occurring, it must be determined what is causing the blush.
Social Anxiety
For people who blush when speaking in public or are just preparing to speak, after meeting someone or when addressed in a crowd of people, social anxiety is most likely the culprit. According to SocialPhobia.org, social anxiety is the third most common psychological problem in the United States. To get a grip on social anxiety, Social Phobia recommends cognitive behavior therapy or medication, treatments that could take weeks or months to take effect.
Relaxation techniques are also recommended for calming nerves, which is a good solution for those whose social anxiety is considered mild. A 2007 study by the University of Ottawa found that mindfulness-based stress reduction, such as yoga, meditation and other relaxation techniques improved mood, functionality and quality of life.
The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence, a UK-based health journal, suggests breathing techniques to relieve anxiety and to calm rapid breathing. Changing thoughts can also redirect the mind and reduce anxiety.
Surgery
Surgeons at Borås Hospital Borås in Sweden performed a minimally invasive surgical procedure called endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy on people whose quality of life was negatively affected by uncontrollable blushing.
In 2002, satisfactory results were reported in 98 percent of patients. The most common side effect was redistribution of sweat from the face to the body. Only 2 percent of patients regretted the procedure. The surgery works by blocking nerve receptors that cause blushing.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are a class of drugs used to treat hypertension and heart disease by slowing down the heart rate and reducing blood vessel activity. Howard Wayne, MD, a cardiovascular physiologist, indicates that these medications "block the effect of adrenaline on the heart," making beta blockers an effective therapy for treating emotionally charged blushing.
CureBlushing.com reports that when people who blush take beta blockers, their "fight or flight" response to stress is reduced. Go Ask Alice, Columbia University's online health information service, explains that beta blockers are not habit forming, are inexpensive and are effective at halting the rush of adrenaline caused by anxiety.
References
- SocialPhobia.org: What Is Social Phobia?
- Behaviour Research and Therapy: Meditation-Based Stress Reduction
- The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence: Blushing Leaflet
- HeartProject.com: Heart Disease Glossary
- BJD: Successful Treatment of Facial Blushing
- Go Ask Alice: Fear of Public Speaking
