How to Reduce Redness in the Face From Nervousness
Redness in the face, also called blushing or flushing, is a common symptom of nervousness. When we become nervous, the blood vessels in the ears, forehead, nose and cheeks dilate ,and blood rushes to those areas, according to the Social Anxiety Disorder and Shyness Info website. Nervousness may also cause the skin to become warm and sweaty, giving the nervous person cues that they are turning red. Nervousness is often amplified by the fear others will notice or judge the redness.
Instructions
-
-
1
Calm yourself down through deep breathing and positive thinking. Emotions, such as nervousness and anxiety, trigger physiological reactions in the body that lead to blushing, according to Social Anxiety Disorders. When you feel redness coming on, take deep relaxing breaths and think positive affirmations to slow these physiological responses and prevent blood rushing to the face, warm skin and sweating. For example, if nervousness is due to public speaking, in his article "How to Conquer Public Speaking Fear," Dr. Morton C. Orman recommends remembering that many people speak publicly every day, nothing bad can come from public speaking and, generally, the audience wants to hear you speak.
-
2
Stay as stress free in your daily life as possible to prevent attacks of anxiety and nervousness. Focusing on your positive qualities, setting realistic goals, maintaining healthy living habits (such as proper diet and exercise), using stress management techniques (such as mediation) and remembering that embarrassing situations are only small, passing parts of life helps to reduce anxiety that can lead to flushing, according to the Mayo Clinic.
-
-
3
Visit a doctor if the problem cannot be managed with lifestyle changes. Excessive blushing could be a sign of a medical condition, such as rosacea, or an anxiety disorder, such as social phobia, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many individuals with rosacea blush easily in response to physiological triggers stimulated by nervousness because of swelling in the blood vessels of the face. Oral medications and creams can help reduce facial redness in rosacea sufferers, according to the Mayo Clinic. Those with anxiety disorders may benefit from anti-anxiety medications and psychological counseling.
-
1
References
- Social Anxiety Disorder and Shyness Info: Facial Blushing, Redness of the Face, Ears and Neck
- Stress Cure: "How to Conquer Public Speaking Fear"; Morton C. Orman; 1996-2002
- MayoClinic.com: Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- MayoClinic.com: Rosacea
- MayoClinic.com: Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) Treatment and Drugs
Resources
- Photo Credit nervous image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com
