Blushing syndrome: causes, symptoms

Blushing syndrome is a person's physiological state, which consists in sudden redness. All of us met people who, from nothing meaningless for us phrases or jokes from embarrassment, suddenly burst into flashes. If a person is not very worried, then there is no problem. But often people experience inner discomfort, moral torment, experience that this will happen untimely, expose their feelings, perceive by others as self-doubt. Communication is difficult, there is stiffness, and sometimes depression. This condition develops into a disease.

[1], [2], [3]

Epidemiology

Studies show that the epidemiology of the blushing syndrome is quite extensive and amounts to one case per 300 people. Suffers from excessive sweating, which is often a companion of sudden reddening of the face, every 200th inhabitant of the planet.

[4],

Causes of the blushing syndrome

The work of blood vessels in the body is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. When the load on the body increases with the help of the brain's command to the nervous system, the vessels expand, allowing greater flow of blood to pass through them. This leads to a surge of blood to the capillaries of the face and, as a consequence, to its reddening. The cause of the blushing syndrome is a disturbance in the work of the nervous system, which consists in an increased sensitivity to minor emotional stimuli. The face turns red or becomes covered with red spots, which do not pass for a long time. There are cases of redness and other parts of the body. This is a psychological problem and does not apply to medical illnesses.

There are other causes of redness, not related to embarrassment. With hormonal failures can throw in the heat. Flushes of heat and sweating, characteristic of women in menopause. This is due to hormonal changes in the body. During tides, women suddenly blush their face and neck, after a while everything is normalized. Hypertension, high blood pressure, is also accompanied by reddening of the face. Similar symptoms can occur against the background of taking some medications in the treatment of heart diseases, oncological diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis. If such a reaction is poorly tolerated by patients, treatment is canceled. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland can be accompanied by such a reaction. People who regularly drink alcohol are also prone to face redness, especially the nose. As a rule, in such people reddening occurs with a sudden change in air temperature. Large provocateurs of redness are subcutaneous mites. Microscopic parasites penetrate the skin, causing its inflammation, itching, the appearance of acne. It is believed that it is the mites that cause the disease of rosacea (pink acne). Gastronomic predilections for fatty and spicy foods, too, are the cause of redness.

[5]

Risk factors

Often, the blushing syndrome appears even in childhood and leads to fear of going out to the board, performing on stage in front of the audience. In adolescence, such people have difficulty in communicating with the opposite sex. They try to avoid dating, do not attend parties, have little contact with their peers. With this complex are included in adulthood. Careers of closed, uncommunicative people are also rarely successful, because they are afraid to show themselves in the team, they are calmer in the shade. Their personal life is usually difficult. All this complex of psychological problems can lead to serious consequences and lead to depression.

Stress and depression are a serious risk factor for turning a blushing syndrome into an erythrophobia disorder (fear of blushing) and social phobia (difficulty of adaptation in society, self-isolation). The risk factors include alcohol abuse, addiction to fatty and spicy foods, hot baths and compresses, massage, and long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays.

[6], [7], [8], [9],

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of blanching-sydrom is in the features of the functioning of two vital human systems - the autonomic nervous and cardiovascular. The autonomic nervous system of man consists of two branches, two trunks: sympathetic and parasympathetic, which counteract each other, provide the vital energy necessary for life.

The rate of blood flow through the blood vessels depends on the amount of blood pressure. In turn, blood pressure is directly dependent on the diameter of the arteries and veins. The wider they are, the lower the pressure and the higher the blood filling of the vessels. When narrowing the lumen of blood vessels arterial pressure rises, because you need more effort to pump the same amount of blood. It is at this stage that the interests of two life support systems intersect. The sympathetic trunk of the vegetative department widens the blood vessels, parasympathetic narrows them. At the same time, a person's face contains a multitude of blood vessels and capillaries, according to the number of human backs equal to the vessels, which is much larger in area. If the sympathetic trunk is more active, there is increased blood filling and, the vessels and capillaries of the face immediately make themselves felt reddening. This is most common in choleric people.

[10], [11], [12],

Symptoms of the blushing syndrome

Symptoms of the blushing syndrome are obvious, as they are expressed in the sudden redness of the face or other areas of the skin as a result of the slightest emotional upsurge. Often it is accompanied by a similar in its characteristics disease - hyperhidrosis, which manifests itself in increased sweating.

First signs

The first sign of blushing syndrome is not the redness of the skin itself, but the fear of blushing, psychological discomfort from it. Blushing syndrome, as a rule, goes back to childhood, but may appear at another age.

Many children are characterized by shyness, but with age it usually passes. Sometimes the childishness remains and makes itself felt by sudden tides of paint on any irrelevant occasion: someone accidentally pushed, drew attention to himself with some kind of cue, had to stand in front of the audience. For most people this is an ordinary situation, which is immediately forgotten. A person who is prone to blushing syndrome will be tormented for a long time, remembering his mistake or drawing attention to himself. This symptom should alert and serve as an impetus to work on yourself or go to a therapist.

[13], [14], [15]

Forms

Investigating the problem, scientists identified two types of blushing syndrome: general and focal. The name itself indicates that the foci of the manifestation of the syndrome can be both throughout the body and locally on its individual sites. Obviously, more visible discomfort is caused by reddening, that is, face and neck. If this is accompanied by an increased sweating, the feelings of a person experiencing such unpleasant sensations are quite understandable. By degree, the manifestations of hypersensitivity of the autonomic nervous system in the form of reddening and a more serious phase - painful perception and fear of occurrence of this phenomenon (erythrophobia) are distinguished.

[16], [17]

Complications and consequences

The appearance of frequent, at first glance, innocent redness can lead to undesirable consequences and complications. If the blushing syndrome has developed into erythrophobia, it can turn into a great psychological burden on a person and a moral problem that entails:

• inferiority complex;
• fear of expressing one's opinion;
• restriction of communication with people, colleagues;
• refusal of career growth and the choice of less skilled work;
• development of vegetative neurosis, depression.

The quality of life can seriously suffer, despair may appear, and behind it also suicidal thoughts.

[18], [19], [20], [21]

Diagnostics of the blushing syndrome

When diagnosing a blushing syndrome, it is important to determine which property this problem is - psychological or physiological. To identify psychological causes resorted to stimulation of various stressful situations leading to reddening of the face, while analyzing the patient's behavior. Another direction is the detection of a bodily illness, which leads to such consequences. During the conversation with the doctor about the peculiarities of the appearance of redness, additional clinical studies and analyzes can be prescribed to clarify the diagnosis.

[22], [23], [24]

Analyzes

Determine the causes leading to blushing syndrome, blood tests for hormones will help. The nervous system in tandem with hormones coordinates the coordinated work of all body systems. With their excess or deficiency, various "breakages" occur in the vital functions of the organs. So the onset of menopause is associated with a decrease in the production of sex hormones (estrogens). In case of violations of the gastrointestinal tract, an analysis is made for gastrin (which contributes to the production of gastric juice), the increased content of which indicates such diseases as gastritis, ulcer, stomach cancer, renal failure. The lowered level of gastrin speaks about a hormonal disease - a hyperthyroidism. In diabetes mellitus, an analysis is made of insulin, which converts glucose into energy. If insulin is not produced by the pancreas, sugar accumulates in the body, there is a blood and urine sample for sugar to detect it. With its elevated rates, hot flashes occur and sweating increases. Depression leads to a decrease in thyroid production of the hormone thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone. When suspected of having a subcutaneous tick, the microflora of the skin is examined by conducting a bacteriological culture.

[25]

Instrumental diagnostics

Instrumental diagnosis is designed to detect the possible presence of diseases that cause blushing syndrome. Ultrasound diagnosis (ultrasound), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, using which the condition of internal organs, including pancreas and thyroid gland, kidneys and ovaries in women, is determined. The endoscopy of the stomach and duodenum can be prescribed. The sugar level is determined with the help of a glucometer. The tonometer measures blood pressure.

Differential diagnosis

In the blushing syndrome, instrumental and differential diagnostics resonate, since to identify its psychological nature it is necessary to exclude the physical factor. Laboratory and instrumental research will help to understand this.

Treatment of the blushing syndrome

Treatment of the blushing syndrome consists of three directions - psychological, medical and surgical. Psychological implies the direct involvement of a psychologist, a psychotherapist and includes:

• trainings based on self-hypnosis, increasing one's own self-esteem, abstracting from the problem and paying more attention to others than to oneself;
• autogenic training, which gives the skills to cope with panic moods, regulate the frequency of breathing, to control oneself;
• hypnosis;
• yoga and meditation, which relax, liberate.

Drug treatment for blushing syndrome for the removal of symptoms consists in blocking the nerve impulses to the vessels of the face, for this purpose the doctor prescribes beta-blockers. To suppress negative emotions, redness is prescribed by antidepressants. When an ailment that provokes reddening of the face is detected, the treatment is directed to the source of the disease.

Treatment with tablets

If psychological methods do not help to change the attitude towards blushing syndrome and there is a need to reduce symptoms (in the case, say, publicity of a person), drugs for treating cardiovascular diseases - alpha and beta-blockers, which affect the sympathetic trunk of the nervous system by 3 -4 hours block redness. These drugs include: terazonin, prazonin, corn, bisoprolol, jelly, metoprolol, celiprolol, anaprilin, etc. Before taking it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Therazonin is an alpha-blocker, a tablet. Begin taking with a minimum dose (1 mg per day), gradually increasing, but not more than 20 mg. In case of an overdose, there may be a sharp drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness. Contraindicated with individual intolerance of the components of the drug, pregnant and lactating women, children. Side effects are reduced blood pressure, nausea, drowsiness, headache, insomnia, dry mouth, decreased vision.

Bisoprolol - beta-blocker, is available in the form of tablets of 5 and 10 mg. When hypertension is taken in the morning on an empty stomach or during breakfast. For people with blushing syndrome, a sufficient dose of 0.25 mg before the time interval when it is necessary to "look good". The drug may have side effects in the form of dizziness, headaches, fatigue, insomnia. Has contraindications for people who are sensitive to the drug or its components, with bronchial asthma, heart rhythm disorders, a rare pulse, pregnant and lactating mothers, etc.

Anaprilin is a beta-blocker, 40 mg tablets. Take 10-30 minutes before eating, drink plenty of water. With a blushing syndrome, a minimum single dose of 10 mg is enough, and the number of receptions can be 3-4 per day. There are side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, liver disorders, dizziness, insomnia, headaches, rarely allergic reactions. Contraindicated in patients with low heart rate, low blood pressure, bronchial asthma, pregnancy and lactation.

To reduce the response to the blushing syndrome, sedatives are taken - tranquilizers. It is necessary to approach to their reception very cautiously, tk. They are addictive and reduce mental activity. Tranquilizers relieve emotional tension, anxiety, fear. Here are some of them: hlozepid, diazepam, phenazepam, midazolam, meprotan, elenium.

Elenium - in the form of tablets and in ampoules. The initial dose is 5-10mg per day, if necessary, increase the dose to 30-50mg, distributing for 3-4 doses. Before the end of treatment, the dose should be gradually reduced. If the patient's work requires rapid reaction, then it is better to stop taking the drug, because one of the side effects is drowsiness. Also, itching, rashes on the skin, nausea, constipation are possible. Contraindicated in muscle weakness, kidney and liver disease.

If the blushing syndrome went too far and led to depression, antidepressants are prescribed. They remove decadent mood, irritability, anxiety, relieve obsessive thoughts. The list of antidepressants is very extensive, here are some related to the new generation drugs: venlafaxine, fluoxetine, sertraline, paxil, insidon. Antidepressants are only available on prescription.

Insidon - is available in the form of a dragee. The dose for a single admission for adults is 5 mg 2-3 times a day. The maximum daily dose is 25 mg. Children under 6 years are not prescribed, after 6 - 3-4 mg per day. The first two weeks do not need to break the regularity of the reception. Duration of treatment is 1-2 months. Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to the drug, with glaucoma. Side effects are indicated by dizziness, dry mouth, sleep disturbances, convulsions, hypotension, urinary retention.

Diuretics (hypothiazide, furosemide, triamterene, spironolactone), calcium antagonists (corinfar, verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine) are used in addition to the above-mentioned alpha and beta blockers if bladder syndrome is the cause of hypertension. In case of hormonal disorders in menopausal women, gynecologist will prescribe hormonal drugs: premarin, estrofeminal, clinonorm, tricequence, estrofem, etc. In case of rosacea, if subcutaneous mites are detected, antibiotics are used.

Vitamins

Along with the above listed methods of treatment, the intake of certain vitamins will also contribute to the reduction of the blushing syndrome.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a known antioxidant, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, relieves inflammation, reduces the effect of allergens on the body. Vitamin C is sold in pharmacies, but there are so many of them in various products that we use every day, which is hardly worth resorting to a chemist's drug. A treasure of this vitamin is a dog rose (100g of fruit contains up to 1500mg of vitamin C), black currant and sweet pepper (250mg each), horseradish (110-200mg), lemon, cabbage, strawberry (50-75mg).

Vitamin R - bioflavonoid, eliminates the fragility of capillaries, reduces the permeability of the vascular wall, improves the functions of the lymphovenous region of the vascular system, lowers arterial pressure, favorably affects the endocrine system. Very well interacts with vitamin C, helping him to digest. It occurs in the same vegetables and berries as vitamin C.

Vitamin K - is synthesized by bacteria in the intestine, in nature occurs in two forms: isolated from alfalfa (K1) and rotting fishmeal (K2). Vitamin K is involved in the body's absorption of calcium, which strengthens blood vessels, prevents bleeding and hemorrhage. It is synthesized chemically.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

The physiotherapeutic treatment of the blushing syndrome is aimed at strengthening the autonomic nervous system. Among existing physiotherapeutic procedures, hydrotherapy (various herbal, especially coniferous, and mineral baths, contrast shower, Charcot's shower) is widely used. A beneficial effect of low frequency current on the body is also used. The procedure is called electrosleep and is based on sedative action. It is shown with blushing syndrome and acupuncture.

Alternative treatment

With the blushing syndrome, alternative treatment is aimed at reducing nervous tension, achieving mental balance, and also on local impact on redness spots. For ingestion, herbal infusions and decoctions are prepared, which are also used for lotions, compresses, and baths. For outdoor use, freshly brewed strong black tea, oak bark (1 tablespoon per half liter of water, boil for 10 minutes, let it brew), the root of the blood-groove (2 tablespoons pour a glass of boiling water, insist 20-30 minutes). Well strengthens the nervous system and wiping the body with salt water (a tablespoon per liter of water), a shower of alternating cold and hot water.

Herbal Treatment

Treatment with herbs should begin from those that contain the above-described vitamins, and also have a sedative effect. The first are the rose hips. To prepare a rosehip broth, you will need:

• 100g of fruit and a liter of water. Fruit suppress and pour cold water, bring to a boil and keep on fire for 7-10 minutes, then cool and strain, insist for at least 3 hours. Fruits can be used for one more decoction. Drink a third of the glass several times a day. Take with caution in gastritis and peptic ulcer.

Horse chestnut reduces the permeability of capillaries, therefore it is also used in blushing syndrome. For the preparation of decoctions and infusions, leaves, flowers, fruits and bark are used. They also drink fresh juice from the chestnut flowers:

• 20-30 drops on a tablespoon of water 2 times a day.

One of the many tincture recipes:

• 50g of crushed brown flesh skins (you can use a meat grinder for grinding) to fill a floor with a liter of vodka, let it brew for 2 weeks, drenching: 30 drops per spoon of water three times a day for half an hour before eating. In a week, the dose can be increased.

Peppermint is effective as a soothing agent:

• 1 tablespoon of herbs pour 250g of boiling water, insist an hour and a half, take a few times a day for a third of the glass.

As a soothing decoction, you can recommend a decoction from the collection of leaves of the motherwort, cones of hops, mint, and valerian root. The recipe is this:

• 3 tablespoons motherwort and mint, and 2 spoons of hop cones and valerian root, combine, 2 tablespoons of the mixture, pour 250g of boiling water and place for a quarter of an hour in a water bath. After cooling, strain, drink 100g 3 times a day.

Homeopathy

The role of homeopathy in blushing syndrome is to help in restoring self-regulation and balance of body functions. Homeopathy does not give instant results, but involves a rather long treatment. Depending on the severity of the mental state, various homeopathic remedies are prescribed. Here are some of them: platinum, stamonium, magnesium carbonium, hyoscyamus, aurum metallicum, causticum, gelmeumium, potassium phosphoricum, pulsatilla, sepia comp matron, sulfurur, nervocheel.

Platinum - is available in the form of pellets C6, C12 and above and in drops C6, C12 and above. It takes 8 drops (drops) 3 times a day. No significant side effects were observed. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should take precautions and consult a specialist before taking.

Pulsatilla - is made with the use of herb lumbago (sleep-grass), is available in granules and ointments. Granules in D3, D6, D12, D30, D200 dilutions. The treatment regimen is determined by the homeopath individually. The drug is placed under the tongue on an empty stomach and kept until dissolved. In disorders of the nervous system, as a rule, D200 dilution is prescribed. Adverse reactions were very rare in the form of allergies. Contraindicated for men and people, with increased sensitivity to the buttercup. Before taking pregnant and lactating women, a doctor's consultation is necessary.

Nervocheel - a combined preparation, which includes plant, animal and mineral components. It is taken before meals or an hour after eating. The dose and schedule of taking the drug is determined by the doctor individually. But for children under 3 years of age, more than a half of the pill is not prescribed, after three years, a single dose of 1 tablet. If violations of sleep are recommended for 15-30 minutes before bedtime. The maximum daily intake of adults is not more than 15 tablets. Norvochel is prescribed for women in the menopause. There were no side effects, no contraindications.

Sulfur - is based on sulfur, has a positive effect on the regulatory functions of the autonomic nervous system. It is indicated for acne. For external use, it is available as an ointment, for internal use it is released in drops with D3, C3, C6 and higher dilutions and granules D6, D12, D30, C3 and above dilutions. Ointment is used before bedtime, the course of treatment is 10 days. The doctor determines the scheme of treatment with granules and drops individually. Side effects can be observed in the form of increased symptoms, but often this may indicate the effectiveness of treatment and there is no need to cancel the drug. Contraindications exist for patients with tuberculosis and people susceptible to sulfur preparations.

Operation

All the above treatment is not always effective, because often the reactivity of the autonomic nervous system can only be changed by surgical treatment. To do this, resort to sympathectomy - a surgical operation, consisting in cutting the nerve, which is the signal from the brain to the facial vessels, or imposing a clip on it. In modern medicine, a high-frequency electric current is used for such an operation. The operation lasts no more than half an hour. The effectiveness of this method is close to one hundred percent. However, in 5% of those who resorted to surgery, there was a side effect in the form of increased sweating, which also causes considerable inconvenience. Before deciding to surgery, you must weigh the pros and cons, as well as obtain the consent of the doctor. He is the last instance before making a decision.

Prevention

Prevention of blushing syndrome is to work on yourself, psychological training. It is necessary to convince oneself that a person can be interesting to another not only because of his appearance, but also by a rich inner world, a vast sphere of interests, depth of knowledge, and his own spiritual qualities. Become more confident in yourself will help with sports, the use of well-known relaxation techniques - meditation and yoga. In the end, many associates consider the ability to blush with dignity and lack of cynicism.

[26], [27], [28]

Forecast

The prognosis of getting rid of the blushing syndrome is favorable, it is based on the existence of an operative method for the complete elimination of facial flushing, i.e. Visible areas, which provide significant psychological discomfort to a person.

[29],