How to Recognize Erythrophobia

People blush in response to emotional stimuli, such as being embarrassed, exhilarated, modest or even being in love. When you blush, your body dilates the arteries in the face, neck and ears. There are conditions where pathological blushing can rarely be controlled, causing more embarrassment. As a result, the sufferer begins to panic at the slightest hint of a situation that might induce blushing. This condition is known as erythrophobia (fear of redness).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Know the symptoms. Someone suffering from erythrophobia will blush uncontrollably at the slightest things. Everyone blushes when put on the spot, but an erythrophobic may blush at the approach of a stranger asking directions, when someone on TV gets embarrassed or even approaching a checkout line at the store. The sufferer is immediately red-faced and sweating, with Increased body heat, loss of focus, stammering and feeling "tongue-tied."

2. Examine the consequences. Erythrophobia, like many phobias, can create big problems in the life of a sufferer. Some people are so severely afflicted that it affects their job, affecting how they deal with customers or even interact with coworkers. Pathological blushing can also cause people to avoid going out of their home or into unfamiliar situations for fear of blushing or getting embarrassed.

3. Know the latest findings on erythrophobia. Scientists don't exactly know how to shut off the physical and emotional triggers to pathological blushing. Studies show a large number of people experience frequent uncontrolled blushing, with some estimating that almost 7 percent of the population suffer from it. Members of all races have been diagnosed with erythrophobia, although the condition is often invisible to outsiders with darker skinned people.

4. Check out the latest treatments. There has been some success with surgery that severs some of the nerves leading to the face that trigger blushing. The surgery, known as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, is reported to have an extremely high success rate. Other treatments involve counseling, medication and therapy (from hypnosis, breathing techniques or autosuggestion) to break the cycle of shame or embarrassment (real or imagined) that triggers the physiological reaction.

Tips & Warnings

• Experts also recommend erythrophobics to avoid alcohol and spicy foods, as these things can lead to excessive blushing. Erythrophics are also encouraged to keep their body temperature as even as possible.

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[Megnic]

on 4/30/2009 I think I suffer with a severe case of erythrophobia and it is so humiliating! I blush during all those situations that you mentioned. When I feel myself starting to blush, I get even more embarassed and my face turns into a big red hot chili pepper! So thanks very much for the information - this helps me understand what this is all about. :)