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People">All episodes of blushing are not the same. There are many different reasons why an individual might experience flushing on the face or neck area. Some blushing is brought on by emotional triggers, and other episodes of blushing may occur as a result of other factors. If you want to try to control your blushing episodes, it's a good idea to investigate the different types of blushing. In order to change your blushing reactions, you need to first identify what factors are triggering your blushing.

Emotional Reaction Blushing

Blushing that occurs as a response to dealing with an emotionally stressful situation is emotional blushing. Most people experience blushing when they experience the emotion of embarrassment, for example. This is a normal physiological reaction resulting from an emotional trigger.

Some people experience extreme episodes of blushing brought on by anxiety or other emotions that are likely to arise during situations involving social interactions. Such blushing can be uncontrollable and severe, and may be referred to as excessive blushing. This type of problem blushing is often believed to be part of a social phobia, and is often treated with attempts to manage stress and anxiety.

Exercise Triggered Blushing

Any time people exercise, their faces are likely to turn red. This is a perfectly normal physiological reaction. When a person exercises, the blood vessels located in the muscles dilate, which increases blood flow to the working muscles and can result in a reddening face. The same physiological response can occur as a result of exposure to extreme heat.

Hormonal Blushing Related to Menopause

Women often experience reddening of the face, neck, and chest areas when in the peri-menopausal stage. This flushing is triggered by reduced estrogen levels, and tends to be episodic, lasting only a few minutes at a time. Women who experience hormonal blushing related to menopause often also experience increased problems with perspiration, palpitations, trouble sleeping, and increased anxiety.

Drug and Alcohol Related Blushing

Many people experience blushing related to consuming alcohol or using certain types of drugs. It is believed that people who experience this type of flushing, which cannot be treated, lack enzymes necessary to completely metabolize ingested alcohol. This type of blushing is particularly problematic among Asian populations, with approximately 50 percent of the population being affected by facial and neck reddening triggered by alcohol consumption.

Blushing Related to Dermatological Conditions

There are several skin conditions that can manifest themselves through what appears to be blushing. Rosacea is the most common dermatological condition associated with facial reddening. Rosacea is a chronic condition characterized by extremely reactive capillaries. It often manifests itself through redness of various areas on the face such as forehead, cheeks, nose, or chin. It sometimes leads to general facial flushing, visible facial blood vessels, red pimples or bumps on the face, and watery eyes.

Carcinoid Syndrome, which is related to a tumor, can also lead to flushing. Symptoms include facial blushing, heart valve abnormalities, and diarrhea. Another dermatological condition associated with blushing is Mastocytosis, in which flushing is triggered by the release of abnormally high quantities of histamine and other substances into the individual's blood stream.