We all experience sweating and blushing from time to time and for most of us these responses are simply normal physiological events. Some people’s lives, however, are can be seriously affected by excessive blushing. These people find themselves increasingly embarrassed by the condition resulting in social phobias and panic attacks. Children and teenagers in particular find it difficult to socially deal with excessive blushing.
 
Blushing is actually a very normal and necessary part of our physiology. A blood vessel contains smooth muscle in its walls. Blushing occurs when the smooth muscle in the blood vessel relaxes thus increasing the diameter of the vessel. This allows more blood to pass through the vessel. When this occurs skin feels warm and has a pink or red colour. This process is part of the body’s temperature gauge, either by cooling the body when blushing (called vasodilatation) or constricting blood vessel diameter (vasoconstriction) so warm blood is diverted from the surface of the body to the core. This process keeps the bodies temperature normal. Vasodilatation and vasoconstriction are both controlled by the ANS (autonomic nervous system), which means that both of these functions are outside of voluntary control. 
 

Hypnotherapy, cognitive therapy and psychotherapy have all proven helpful in the treatment blushing, especially when the symptom is associated with social phobia. If blushing is caused by fear and anxiety, it is important to get some kind of therapeutic help to work through these issues. Various biofeedback methods (therapies that work with body and mind responses) have also been effective in equipping sufferers with techniques for controlling disabling blushing. Those who are less severely affected by blushing may be helped by various stress-relieving techniques, such as breathing exercises, meditation and yoga. Acupuncture may also help as it works directly with the autonomic nervous system and is extremely helpful in dealing with stress and anxiety, but every person who suffers from excessive blushing should consult their GP to rule out any serious underlying cause. 

Always consult your GP before starting any new regime or self treatment. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and are not intended to prevent, diagnose or cure any medical conditions. If you would like a topic covered, contact The Clinic of Complementary and Natural Medicine, Kiltartan House, Forster St., Galway on 091- 568804.
 
Dr H Bhatti is the President of the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and can be contacted at his clinics at Kiltartan House, Forster Street, Galway on 091-568804 or at The Village Nursing Care Centre, Ballygarriff, Craughwell on 091-777700.

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