Common Misunderstandings About Blushing

It is often wrongly perceived that blushing and a permanent red complexion is one of the same and should be treated in the same way. In order to clarify this misconception, I have written two articles. The first of which tackles blushing ( flushing - as it is known by its medical term), and how it can be treated and what causes it.

The second article will be about permanent facial redness, what it is, how it is caused, and the treatments available to reduce or even eliminate the annoying red complexion.

Emotional and Psychological Impact of Flushing

As a former veteran flusher and rosacea sufferer, I am fully aware of the psychological effect that creates a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem. As a result these inhibitions can prevent the personality from blossoming in a normal and positive way.

My road was a long and painful one before I eventually found my solution, which was a combination of cognitive therapy, prescribed anti-depressive medication and a topical rosacea treatment that successfully worked.

The cognitive therapy and the prescribed medication could have been avoided, if I had known what I know today. However, sometimes the psychological symptoms are so extreme, as in social phobia, that prescribed medication and therapy are necessary.

Now let me explain about the symptoms, causes and possible treatments.

Flushing - A Natural Response

‘ Fight of Flight’ is a natural automated self-defense mechanism that prepares the body for facing or avoiding an oncoming danger. This process is handled by the sympathetic nervous system. Which dilates the blood vessels to ensure that sufficient blood will reach the parts of the body needed to deal with danger, such as the muscles. This increased blood flow becomes visible in the areas where the blood vessels are closer to the surface of the skin, such as the chest, neck and facial regions.

Flushing Triggers

Hot drinks, hot or spicy foods, hot baths and hot temperatures cause the body’s natural thermostat to dilate blood vessels allowing a greater flow of blood to the surface, which helps aid the cooling process.

Stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol or food and drinks with a high sugar content, are vascular dilators that may cause flushing and perspiration

Healthy Flushing

During strenuous activity, there is an increase in blood flow through the dilated blood vessels which becomes visible. This type of flushing is a totally natural process and a positive sign of good health.

Exercise is an effective method of alleviating stress and anxiety and the importance of this method to help reduce flushing flare-ups, should never be underestimated.

Unhealthy Flushing

People who have an over active sympathetic nervous system experience frequent flushing flare-ups. The reason being that innocent situations such as social occasions are wrongly interpreted as dangerous and the automated defense system is activated and flushing occurs

These constant flushing episodes may eventually lead to a reduction in self-confidence and self-belief, which ultimately can have an impact on relationships, work.and general happiness.

The Two Most Common Questions Asked By People Who Flush Frequently

Question: Does everybody flush?

Answer: Yes

Question: Then if they do, why doesn’t it show in everyone?

Answer: Because, in some people the blood vessels and capillaries are closer to the skin surface which increases the redness visibility.

How can I stop Flushing?

Firstly, you have to acknowledge the fact that some types of flushing cannot be reduced or prevented, notably flushing that prevails after and during exercise. This is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, ask any sportsman, sportswoman or athlete that either experience facial redness or not.

Secondly, acceptance is the key. You must accept the fact that you flush easily and stop trying to hide it - this is covered shortly

Treat The Root Cause And Avoid The Triggers

The only long term treatment of flushing is by treating the root cause; which is the over active sympathetic nervous system including the psychological problems that may have been caused.

Lifestyle changes to avoid or limit the triggers that cause your flushing must be applied.

Laser Treatment, Topical Treatment and Natural Oral Supplements

Laser cannot be used as treatment because healthy blood vessels that supply the blood to skin cells cannot obviously be removed.

The Natural Oral supplements that help are the ones that contain active ingredients that relieve stress, anxiety or depression. And also the ones that contain ingredients which protect and nourish the skin from the daily hazards such as from the infamous free-radicals that damage cells.

Clinically proven topical creams or lotions aimed at treating rosacea contain natural anti-inflammatory ingredients that help to reduce the immediate flushing symptoms. The main importance of using only reputable topical treatments is that they also contain active ingredients that strengthen skin cell walls. This in the long term, can prevent capillary damage caused by the constant unhealthy flushing periods that may lead to a permanent red complexion or even rosacea.

Flushing Acceptance

During my research I discovered a useful video that demonstrates various methods and tecniques to help reduce flushing in those uncomfortable moments, this link is found at the end of the article.

Fact: You Cannot Flush And Be Relaxed At The Same Time

Stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, low-self confidence and embarrassment all cause flushing. However, it is impossible to be relaxed and experience these psychological symptoms at the same time. Therefore it is highly beneficial to learn relaxation techniques that will alleviate these emotional symptoms and ultimately flushing.

Self-hypnosis is a relaxation method that I highly recommend. The following website is an excellent resource for downloadable self-hypnosis mp3 sessions made by certified professionals that deal with social phobia, low self confidence, self-consciousness, stop embarrassment, stop blushing, and many other emotional symptoms. More information can be found on the url at the end.

Prescribed Medical Treatment And Cognitive Therapy

Sometimes the emotional problems caused by excessive flushing have become so extensive that prescribed medical treatment and therapy maybe required.

Prescribed Medical Treatments

Beta Blockers

- Which controls nerve impulses to the heart and are used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, high blood pressure and flushing.

Anti-Depressive Medication

- Often known as ‘happy pills’ these anti-depressive drugs such as Sertralin and Remeron are used to treat symptoms of social phobia, which prevents nervous flushing and sweating symptoms in any type of situation.

Cognitive Therapy

- This is an excellent therapy that provides the mental tools and strength to deal with the root causes that trigger these episodes of flushing. As a result it gives the person the ability to keep flushing under control and to accept it for what it is and not worry about it.

The Last Resort - Surgery

This is an operation that cuts the nerve located under the armpit which is linked to the sympathetic nervous system responsible for flushing.

There she stood as usual on the far side of the pub, an area only lit by the gentle flickering of candles. Who is this mystery woman who appears every Friday evening, only to disappear into the shadows of the night just before closing time?

She was the only reason I came to this dingy pub week after week. Each time hoping that this would be the night when I would finally pluck up enough courage to introduce myself to her.

My self-confidence had taken a battering over the last few years. But now it was steadily growing stronger, The light at the end of the tunnel was no longer an oncoming train.

During those occasions when our fleeting glances crossed paths, my heart raced as a tidal wave of excitement and longing flowed throughout my body.

I looked at my watch it was 22:45 the pub would be closing soon, it is now or never I said to myself. I took a deep breath and started walking over to her, rehearsing in my mind what I was going to say. Suddenly a bright light pulled me out of my trance and a distant voice shouted, “Time to drink up ladies and gentlemen.”

I looked into the place where she had been standing, the gentle glow of candles had been extinguished by the bright light of electric bulbs. She had gone! I kicked myself for being to slow. Once again, my Cinderella had left the ball before 11 and I glanced at the ground almost expecting to see a glass slipper.

She felt a sigh of relief as she stepped into the brisk cold night. She hated the bright lights. She felt secure in the dark shadows. I’m just like a modern day vampire she thought as she sadly walked home.

She switched on the light and dimmed it to a murky glow. She walked over to her dressing table where the mirror seemed to gloat at her in disgust. She sat down and stared into it, hating what she saw and began the nightly ritual of stripping off the layers of makeup that attempted to conceal her acne.

She reached into the drawer which revealed an overwhelming collection of tubes and bottles of various acne treatments that worked so well when she was a teenager. But now years later for some unexplained reason her acne had returned and these brands no longer worked. Why don’t they? She angrily thought as she slipped into bed.

She cried herself to sleep and drifted into the same dream that she had every night. In her dream she saw the mystery man in the pub gently caressing her soft silky cheeks as she tasted his sweet breath as he kissed her lips. She felt so secure in his warm embrace, a wonderful happiness only to be destroyed by the alarm clock.

During the night more spots had broken out, she new that these were caused by her make up, but without it she would be to self-conscious to leave her apartment – a miserable catch 22 situation.

Who knows, my skin my be better before next Friday, a positive thought that lasted only a fraction of a second as she prepared herself to face another miserable day.

To be continued…

Looking for a dressing that will absorb large amounts of drainage? Alginate dressings are capable of absorbing up to 20 times their weight in fluid! In this article, we will discuss the indications and advantages of using these dressings.

Product Overview

Alginate dressings, as their name implies, are derived from brown seaweed. They are composed mainly of alginic acid, which is then converted into calcium and sodium salts (water-insoluble and water soluble, respectively). These dressings are composed of soft fibers shaped as pads or ropes. When these dressings come in contact with moisture, they absorb the moisture, forming a gel that helps to maintain a moist wound environment.

Indications

• Partial or full-thickness wounds
• Wounds that have moderate to heavy drainage
• Tunnelling wounds
• Infected wounds (also noninfected wounds)
• Moist yellow or red wounds

Contraindications

• Wounds with light exudate (may dehydrate the wound)
• Wounds with dry eschar (may dehydrate the wound)

Advantages

• Can conform to the wound shape
• Can absorb up to 20 times their weight
• Aid in autolytic debridement
• Useful to fill in dead space
• Easy to remove, non-sticking
• Comfortable for the patient

Disadvantages

• Can dry out the wound bed, which may delay healing
• Require a secondary dressing, adding to the expense of using alginate dressings

A secondary dressing is often necessary to help the dressing stay in place. Petrolatum gauzes or foams help prevent the alginate dressing from drying out. A nonoccluding dressing should be used if the wound is infected, allows visualization and monitoring of the wound.? When the alginate has formed a gel, it can be easily removed; if it is difficult to remove, it may indicate that the wound bed is too dry.

The world of wound care is one that is expanding rapidly, and keeping up with such change can be difficult. Woundeducators.com is dedicated to providing you with the most current information available. Interested in becoming certified as a wound care specialist? Visit WoundEducators.com?today to begin the journey to a more rewarding career.

References:

Hess, Cathy. When to use alginate dressings. Advances in Skin and Wound Care, May/June 2000.