How to Quit Blushing

Blushing has many root causes and it can be hard to discern exactly why someone is blushing. Medications and medical conditions can both cause blushing as does shyness and alcohol consumption. Over time, blushing can become a problem and a phobia about the condition can develop. Fortunately, there are things that can be done to lessen the effects of blushing and help a person to enjoy a full life and no longer suffer through the embarrassing lifestyle brought on by chronic blushing.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor
• Cold water
• Medications
• Surgeon

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Instructions

• 1

  Explore the root of your problem. Once you know why you are blushing, you will have a better understanding of how to treat it. For example, shy people blush out of embarrassment and discomfort in new situations. But blushing may also be caused by alcohol consumption or drinking alcohol with certain medications. Medications like Antabuse, Diabinese, Flagyl and cephalosporin antibiotics (such as Keflex or Pulvules) may cause facial flushing when taken with alcohol. Blushing may also occur in response to changes in the body such as a fear response. Conditions such as hyperhidrosis can also cause blushing. Knowing what causes your blushing puts you one step closer to treating it.

• 2

  Inhale deeply while experiencing blushing. Deep breathing exercises help calm you down if you blush when you are feeling panicked. Deep breathing slows your heart rate and the circulation of blood to your face so it may help reduce redness. In his book "Panic Attack Workbook: A Guided Program for Beating the Panic Trick," Dr. David Carbonell explains a technique called "belly breathing" where you use your stomach muscles to breathe instead of your chest area. Let out a sigh first and then inhale through your nose slowly. Exhale out through your mouth again at a slow rate. This helps ease feelings of panic and discomfort and may help chronic blushers.

• 3

  Drink cold water or splash cold water on your face to minimalize the reddening and heat in your face while blushing. Avoid hot drinks and alcohol if they make you blush. Blushing can occur after drinking because alcohol causes the blood vessels to expand. The expansion of the blood vessels causes more blood to rush to the face. If you have a phobia about your blushing and are scared of it happening, cognitive behavioral therapy may help you. You must take on a positive attitude and not care if you blush or not. Cognitive behavioral therapy will help you adopt a positive attitude about your blushing and help you to not be so self-conscious.

• 4

  Consult your doctor about medications that can help lessen and alleviate the embarrassment and problem of blushing. Anxiety medications can help stop blushing by calming the person and in turn lessening the frequency of blushing. Beta blockers can also help alleviate severe blushing. They work by managing some symptoms of anxiety and heart palpitations. Clonidine is a medication used to treat severe and uncontrollable facial blushing. It works by changing the way the body interacts with naturally occurring chemicals like noradrenaline which controls dilatation and constriction of blood vessels.

• 5

  Elect to undergo a surgical procedure if your blushing is very severe and is interfering with your life. You may want to consult with your doctor about a procedure known as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, or ETS. During an endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, slender operating tools are slid into the chest cavity through the underarms. Then the nerves that control the diameter of the blood vessels are partially removed. It has a 90 percent cure rate for facial blushing.