Blushing occurs when blood vessels on the skin dilate, causing a reddening effect. According to Dermnetnz.org, blushing normally disappears in a minute or two and is rarely a problem. In some cases, however, blushing can be more intense or longer-lasting and it can cause embarrassment or discomfort. If you're suffering from extreme blushing or if blushing is interfering with your social or work life, you can try a number of things.
Step 1
Rule out medical conditions that can cause blushing, such as rosacea, hyperhidrosis or excessive sweat or even a high fever. If you're in good health but can't control blushing, your doctor might recommend medication. According to Dermnetnz.org, anxiety, clonidine and beta-blockers can all help reduce blushing.
Step 2
Avoid spicy food and very hot drinks, both of which can cause your skin to blush. Alcohol can also cause skin to blush, according to MedLine Plus. If you can't clearly point out the cause for the blushing, try eliminating one thing at a time until you find what's causing the problem.
Step 3
Adjust your body temperature. You might blush in winter as a reaction to the cold and in summer as a result of sun exposure or high heat. Avoiding rapid changes in temperature can eliminate blushing, according to MedLine Plus. Dress in layers so you can adjust what you're wearing to avoid overheating your body.
Step 4
Work on your shyness. If you blush when talking to people or participating in social activities, you will need to work on your confidence level. Practice talking to yourself in the mirror if you need to make a presentation, so you won't feel so intimidated when the time comes to talk in public. To lower social anxiety, Hypnotics.co.uk recommends working on your breathing. Breath in, hold for a few seconds, and then breath out slowly. Make sure the exhaling is longer than the inhaling. You can also try therapy.
Step 5
Talk to your doctor about endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). According to the Better Health Channel of the State Government of Victoria, Australia, the surgery is more commonly used to treat those who suffer from hyperhidrosis but can also treat excessive blushing. This is surgery performed under general anesthesia, so you should talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of the operation before making a decision.
