How to Stop Facial Blushing

Facial blushing, also known as facial flushing and erythrophobia, is a term used to describe the sudden onset of redness in the face. It is characterized by a deep red glow that can extend to the forehead, neck and ears. Facial blushing is involuntary and triggered by everyday stressors, especially embarrassing situations, but its root cause is overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. For sufferers, facial blushing can be a huge source of discomfort. Many people become extremely self-conscious and anti-social, refusing to be seen in public because of the condition. Severe facial blushing can be a symptom of social phobia or anxiety. Treatments include therapy and medication.

Instructions

1. Visit your doctor for a comprehensive overview of all treatment options for facial blushing. Your doctor will determine the exact cause of your problem--whether it stems from social anxiety or an undiagnosed physical issue--and prescribe medications if necessary.

2. See a psychologist if you feel your facial blushing is a result of social anxiety or phobia. A therapist will teach you methods of confronting your fears, worries and other psychological issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxing breathing techniques can be used to treat mild facial blushing. Anti-anxiety medication may also be prescribed.

3. Try medications, like clonidine and certain beta-blockers, that are used to control severe facial blushing. These medicines work by influencing the constriction of blood vessels, preventing them from dilating and causing redness in the face.

4. Opt for the surgical treatment. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is a type of surgery used to stop facial blushing that does not respond to treatment with therapy or medication. The surgery works by removing some of the nerves that control the dilation of blood vessels, and it has a 90 percent successful cure rate.

Tips & Warnings

• Risks of ETS surgery include chronically dry hands, compensatory sweating in the arms and legs, and droopy eyelids.