Flushing is a physical reaction to environmental factors or stressful situations. It cannot be consciously controlled and the medical term is flush. Unlike many other bodily processes, the flushed areas of skin on the face are noticeable to everyone and play a role in social communication.
What is flushing?
Blushing is a physical reaction to environmental influences or stressful situations. It cannot be consciously controlled and the medical term is flush. Flushing varies in intensity and area from person to person. It can affect only the cheeks, individual facial areas, the entire face, or extend to spots on the neck and chest. Men and women are equally affected by this reaction. In this process, the affected areas have a stronger blood supply: the thinner facial skin and blood vessels closer to the surface cause the stronger blood flow to be visible. This is a cooling reaction of the body, the aim of which is to ensure a constant body temperature. For those affected, an increase in temperature can be seen on the blushing areas. From the normal physical reaction, disorders can develop: Erythrophobia is an anxiety disorder that causes people to blush all the more or longer because of their fear of blushing. Flushes occur spontaneously and have various causes. Biologically, flush is the sudden expansion of the blood vessels of the facial skin. This is accompanied by an increase in blood volume. Responsible for controlling this process is the autonomic nervous system with its nerve fibers that regulate the diameters of the capillaries. A common trigger for blushing is an unpleasant situation associated with the emotions of embarrassment, shame or anger. The body reacts to these by getting ready to flee or attack. Blood pressure rises to supply the muscles with blood. Recent studies by Australian researchers have shown that in people who tend to blush frequently, there is an additional component: in them, the outflow of blood in the face is reduced and slower than in others. The cause has not yet been clarified. In addition to psychological causes, environmental influences are among the other triggers. A natural reaction to physical exertion, sports, a visit to the sauna or to the warm sun is the reddening of the face. Spicy foods with chili or pepper also increase blood flow to the face. Besides these natural causes, flushes can be the result of a disease, an indication of it or a side effect of medication. In the skin disease rosacea, people are often prone to flushing. Another trigger is hormonal changes during menopause.
Function and task
Since the autonomic nervous system cannot be influenced by willpower, blushing cannot be consciously directed. Treatment addresses the specific cause. Patients suffering from erythrophobia learn to cope with the fear in behavioral or psychotherapies. The therapies guide them not to put pressure on themselves in difficult situations or to ignore blushing. Learning relaxation techniques such as autogenic training or breathing exercises helps to soften the reaction and shorten the phase of blushing. In addition to psychological causes, a regulatory disorder may be present. Medications such as beta blockers alleviate an excessive tendency to blush by inhibiting the effect of stress hormones. The use of surgical intervention is controversial. In sympathectomy, doctors clamp the nerve that causes increased blood flow to the face. However, a definitive cure is not guaranteed after this surgery, as other nerves may take over from the pinched one. In case of triggers such as alcohol or spicy food, abstaining from them helps. In the case of allergies, blushing can also be prevented by avoiding the allergenic substances. Menopause-induced blushing can be reduced by hormone therapy or herbal remedies. Home remedies for red skin include chamomile baths and taking magnesium as preventive measures. Blushing cannot be prevented. For those who blush out of embarrassment or are shy, it is advisable not to fight this reaction. Because by trying to suppress the blushing, the red color does not subside faster.In the most unpleasant case, the blushing spreads or intensifies. Relaxation techniques help to deal with unpleasant situations more easily or to prevent stress. Basically, it helps to remember that many people perceive blushing as sympathetic. One measure that makes you feel safe and makes the red skin on your face less noticeable is the right makeup. A green-tinted camouflage makeup will hide red skin areas.
Diseases and ailments
In most cases, blushing is a natural reaction to emotional stress or environmental factors. After coping with unpleasant situations or a short time after physical exertion, the redness on the face disappears by itself. If there is an increase in flushing, if it lasts for a long time, if it is very warm or if it affects the quality of life, it is advisable to see a doctor. Especially in children, flushing facial skin can indicate diseases such as scarlet fever. General practitioners or dermatologists first try to determine the cause. If psychological triggers are present, psychotherapists can help. An important means of diagnosis is clarification of living conditions, working conditions and diet. This is followed by a physical examination, a skin sample and blood tests. In this way, doctors clarify whether a disease is present. Allergy tests also provide information about possible causes.
