Blushing and flushing

Flushing and blushing are two words for the same thing – flushing is the word used by doctors. Flushing is almost never a serious medical condition. The only exception is a rare disorder called ‘carcinoid syndrome’ in which there are episodes of bright red flushing of the face lasting about 20 minutes with sudden diarrhoea and stomach cramps. The usual cause of carcinoid syndrome is a tumour.

If your face is too red most of the time, look at the section on red face.

Why do we blush or flush?

Flushing of the cheeks and nose (and sometimes the forehead and chin) is a normal emotional response. This is why it is annoying and can be embarrassing. Without our permission, our body is giving away emotions which we may prefer to keep secret – we may not want the world to know that we feel anxious, excited or ashamed.

In an experiment, people watched a video of shoppers who, by mistake, toppled a display of toilet rolls. The shoppers who looked embarrassed and tried to replace the rolls were rated more highly by the viewers. So psychologists think that blushing acts as a sort of unconscious public apology when we do something wrong, showing that we are upset and making people more likely to forgive us.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, February 26th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Ryan (; on 22/04/2013 at 12:39

I hate this. Everytime i walk into a supermarket when the weather is hot or cold i blush, or if im at self service or paying by card i will just randomly blush and want to go out the store asap. It has ruined my social life.

Posted by Lily:) on 11/04/2013 at 12:39

My boyfriend ALWAYS makes me blush -.- especially around our group of close friends... I don't mind that much but sometimes it's really embarrasing because he does this thing where he looks at me really closely when he's a few metres away from me and I blush like crazy and he cracks up laughing:P :) one day I shall make him blush the way he makes me blush!!!!

Posted by Reita on 16/02/2013 at 10:15

I remember me first getting red when I was 16..and that was during an exam..my face was burning hot and eyes were watering..may be because I'm tensed, I thought then... But then the frequency increased and the doctor said I will be fine by the age of 18..( said something about hormones and blood cells) and I'm 22 now..I cannot count the embarrassing situations I've been in for many years. However at some point of life, I started ignoring this getting red and hot feeling ..once I've accepted this, the frequency has considerably reduced.

Posted by Optional on 03/02/2013 at 07:34

Iam 16 and I've been going red since year 7 iam now in year 11. Iam so emabrassed about going bright red. My whole entire face goes completely red when iam emabrassed, nervous or really hot in temperature and Some times it just happens. This is completely out of my control and this can bring on anxiety. This is starting to control my life and its gotten so bad that I dont do speeches in frount of the class read out loud or mix with people I don't know very well. I don't wear my hair up in case I have to hide my face if I go red. I teased about it and it just makes things worse. It lasts for ages and its like a burning hotness. Please any one help I need this resolved

Posted by Lollipop on 20/01/2013 at 07:25

I never ever went red untill a few months ago, im only 12 & im fine in the morning at skool & then i eat (mostly lollipops) & then i go on a sugar high. It makes me look like a tomato wich is what my friend now calls me. If im sittin nxt to my boyfriend i feel a shiver down my spine then it feel like my face has burst into flames! I look away from him & lean on my hands wich are always cold but they sweat when im red. I feel like a total dick, someone please help me or ill cry!! :'(

Posted by Jennifer on 20/01/2013 at 03:33

Hi I get really nervous when I have to preform,read out loud, ask for help, and talking to a boy my face plus nose and cheeks get hot burning red and my eyes come out with tears of embarrassed ment I guess now peolpe are talking about me at school...

Posted by Optional on 12/12/2012 at 10:47

Hello whenever I get asked a question or need to speak out loud to the class or a boy speaks to me I go bright red like so red that everyone looks at me and is like why are you doing that what's wrong with you please can someone tell me how to stop this its so embarrassing I hate it so much it makes me feel so paranoid!!!

Posted by Angie on 01/12/2012 at 05:30

Need a cure for this blushin problem ASAP..

Posted by Optional on 28/11/2012 at 10:26

When ever a teacher asks me a question I go red like tomato red even worse at times when I'm talking to my favourite teachers I cn feel it comming on:( Is there anything to stop this please help its horrible thank you xxxx

Posted by Optional on 20/10/2012 at 12:59

This is interesting, b/c I have suffered anxiety disorders most of my life.. various ones (some were secondary to others and transient, others like panic disorder have a long-standing relationship with me :P) and it always seemed like antidepressants I was taking caused me to blush randomly... however later on, on higher doses that effect (and efficacy in general) went away. Now being off them it's happening as much as it used to on the more moderate doses... and it never seemed to do much socially. As in, I never cared much who saw. Usually because on meds there was no real emotion attached to it, at least not one I was consciously bothered by... haha. And now.. I dunno, my whole system is still kind of messed up, flushing is one of those random things I feel is a rush now.. very invigorating. Still don't care if it's obvious to people around me or not. What's to hide? Usually I had to much coffee or something, and/or I then flipped out (on myself) because I couldn't find an assignment I worked on for hours and then possibly had to present right then and there in class... "In the 18th and 19th centuries, women who blushed were regarded as very attractive.." More proof I am born in the wrong century? Women I find attractive, to me become more attractive if they're flushed... then again it is probably not me, given that I'm sure wearing blush somehow stemmed from this...? Though personally when I mostly notice it, is when women *aren't* wearing makeup, at least not ostensibly.. just for clarity here!

Posted by Hannah on 17/08/2012 at 02:53

So the excessive blushing started when I was 10. I still remember back then I didn't seem to mind so much but through high school it just got worse and worse. Everytime I'd have to read out in front of the class I'd blush, even when the teacher called my name out for roll I would. It was beyond frustrating and it still is. I started college this year and I even quit because I felt like I couldn't do all the presentations in front of people just thinking about it makes me want to die. I've never had a boyfriend and I partly blame the blushing. I just don't see how someone would go out with me when Im looking like a tomato everytime they say something to me or kiss me. I bought some green based concealer and that seems to make it less noticeable but I don't think it does. I'd just really like some people to talk to who know exactly what I'm going through because my friends are just like "oh you don't even blush." and my mums like "oh you'll grow out of it." and I don't believe them....

Posted by Lesley on 23/04/2012 at 09:08

Most people do not appreciate what a terrible disabling condition excessive blushing is. I started blushing uncontrollably when I was 18 for no reason at all, and it made my life a complete misery. It would happen when I was talking to people or when I felt people looking at me, and I suffered for years. My heart would be pounding too. It even kept me awake at nights worrying. Eventually I went to hypnosis classes and they worked wonders, but later the problem returned. I would say here that if I had topped up my hypnosis classes it probably would have helped again. But in the meantime I read an article in the paper which changed my life. I discovered I have what is called Social Anxiety Disorder and there is a treatment. I went to my doctor to ask for the medication mentioned, which is Seroxat. He gave it to me and within a few weeks, maybe less, the blushing stopped. I have taken Seroxat for years, and it has made a huge difference to my life. The one thing that amazes me is that I have seen many letters in magazines from people with bad blushing problems, and the reply is always "don't worry,blushing is endearing". IT'S NOT WHEN YOU ARE THE ONE THAT BLUSHES. Why hasn't anyone told us about this treatment? Good luck to any of you who is helped by this comment.

Posted by Optional on 14/01/2012 at 06:21

Wow. I'm not alone. I have the same problem as all of you. Blushing is taking over my life. I really hate it and I'm afraid to get help because I don't want to make it such a big deal...even though it is. I've only told one person about it but I don't think she understands how it feels. I miss out on SO much because of my blushing. I avoid SO many social activities. I think what makes me feel worse is I was never like this. I used to be so confident and outgoing. Then blushing started. I'm only 18 and I've become so paranoid about it. I think about it ALL the time. I'm scared to get a job or have a boyfriend or hangout with new people. I just want to be confident and not care about what anyone thinks. But one thing I have learned is the less I care about blushing/what people are thinking, the less I blush. You guys we can overcome this. Let's not give up! I'll never give up. There are so many bigger issues to worry about, we can't let blushing be one of them. We can't let blushing control our lives!

Posted by t on 19/11/2011 at 10:13

I have this problem n the most annoyin thing is the amount of idiots out there wiv no tact who keep pointin it out to us! I wud feel fine if I cud convince myself it doesnt matter to ppl n they hardly notice but I cant cos they kp bringin it up!

Posted by Julia on 01/11/2011 at 06:04

From getting embarrassed only slightly or just laughing I blush and my neck and chest gets splotchy and my face and arms are beet red. It is also not unusual for my legs and feet to turn red. It's so embarrassing and takes about an hour to disappear completely. Please help me!

Posted by Optional on 24/10/2011 at 09:01

Hey I'm Nicole, I'm 13 and of course I'm a girl. Ever since I started high school I've had issues with my confidence. Every single day at school I go red either when a teacher talks to me, when I have to read in front of the class, a certain boy talks to me- just situations where the attention is on me. Some days I'm exstremly confident and hardly get embarrassed but then there's days where almost anything can make my cheeks to burn. Its getting annoying now, and what will happen when I get married? When everyone is starring and watching me? What am I gunna do when I meet my boyfriends parents? What am I gonna do in a job interview or if I ever have to make a speech in my future career? I need help, this is killing me?:(

Posted by Optional on 03/09/2011 at 11:21

hi , im 14 and a girl. i need to change classes at school but im too scared to ask incase i go bright red what shall i do ? i go bright red all the time and it really knocks my confidence. when reading speaches , talking to my teachers , even sometimes when talking to my freinds. HOW CAN I STOP THIS please HELP !! thanks xx

Posted by gary cahill on 05/08/2011 at 10:04

my problem is this, i have always had a really dry skin but with moisturisers its not too bad but been bald i my head is constantly shiny with using them however i can live with that, i know what your going to say about the next part is dont smoke but i enjoy a smoke and a drink every few weeks with friends, i dont smoke the rest of the time, however when i do my face after a few hours goes really how hot and red , this has been the case all my life , i just would love to know why it does this , i does sometimes happen without smoking but not as frequently

Posted by jo on 30/07/2011 at 02:19

hi everyone, sorry to hear about your blushing problems. i used to have the same thing when i was in my teens and as a child- used to blush when embarressed, anxious, or for no reason! to be honest i've never solved the problem but to cover the redness i always wear foundation now. so if any girls/women having the same prooblem, i really recommend it. u dont need to put on lots of it, just enough to tone down redness.

Posted by Lynsey on 13/06/2011 at 10:17

hi, my name is lynsey and I'm only 15 years old. However, mainly every evening and sometimes in the afternoon i will suffer from a "hot-flush"-my face will go really red and start burning up, as will my ears..sometimes it burns alittle too much and it is usually round the same times. Can anyone explain what it is?? Thanks x

Posted by Optional on 05/04/2011 at 08:27

i have this red face even if i am not blushing or anything and it makes me look like a an idiot , but ehhh blushing is another problem that i have to face everyday and i thought that this doomed blushing problem will be solved by time but it just wont!!! god.....

Posted by Diala on 12/03/2011 at 12:23

My face turns red when a lot of people look at me at the same time , when i think a lot and ofcourse when i am embarrased I hate to blush very easily Is there anything i can do ? My parents told me that i have a problem with my confidents

Posted by Optional on 11/03/2011 at 09:39

I was just at the doctor and got flushed in front of him and his nurse (really for no apparent reason)He was just asking basic questions. There were so many posts so I didn't read all of them, does anyone think this could be rosacea (sp?) I have suspected that. What kind of doc can we see about this? I would be happy cutting the episodes in half!!!

Posted by Optional on 10/03/2011 at 05:18

Im 18 and this has happened to me for as long as i can remember. Ive been to the doctors many times about it but nothing has worked. I hate blushing so easy, it stops me doing stuff that normal teenagers love doing, i cant even talk to my friends without blushing.

Posted by Tomato Face on 25/02/2011 at 06:22

I'm 14 years old and I happen to be one of those people who blush easily. It happens mostly when I'm embarrassed but also when I'm anxious. Only when I blush, not only do my ears and cheeks go red, I also develop a really dark red rash on my neck. Is that normal?

Posted by Miranda on 21/02/2011 at 04:27

Lara, I'm the same way. I'm 16 too. It brings down my confidence too especially since it's like everyone knows what I'm thinking. It even happens at times I wouldn't expect it to, like when I stood by my group's poster at an open house at my high school.

Posted by Miranda on 21/02/2011 at 04:24

This happens to me all the time. Last year when I was getting ready for prom, I was very red. My mom said it was because I'm nervous, but I wasn't nervous at all.. maybe overwhelmed? This even happens to me when I'm texting my friend and he says something that makes me laugh or feel happy. When I talk about or with certain people it may happen too. It's been happening to me more and more lately. I also tend to perspire too... it's embarrassing. Maybe I should just learn to control my emotions more.

Posted by scarlet on 03/02/2011 at 03:50

this did not help me to stop

Posted by lara on 27/01/2011 at 10:47

hi i go bright red and i sweat so much its only when im in public even sometimes talking to my friends i go bright red and i get hot and they always ask me why am i going red and i go even more red because im embaressed even more i hate it i cant talk infront of people or anything wihtout sweating and going red, i hate it and its brought down my confidents a load and im only 16, HELP ME..!!

Posted by Optional on 15/01/2011 at 12:31

i coulb be just watching tele and i flush why is that

Posted by ruby red on 30/12/2010 at 11:59

i have always had nice color but here lately-say the past month or so, i have had terrible blushing/ flushing problems. i dont have to have any emotion behind it either-i could be talking to a close friend and all of a sudden get really hot from my shoulders up and feel the red welling up to my cheeks. from there, it takes at least 10 minutes in my office to cool down. i am an outgoing person and i am comfortable with myself but this is really becoming a problem. i am not finding much on why and my doctor doesnt say much as to why i am so red...i just want to stop blushing...

Posted by cirsty on 13/12/2010 at 11:18

everytime i do sport in the sun i go red in the face and it goes all blotchy and gross

Posted by Optional on 11/11/2010 at 12:01

When I get very hot due to the atmosphere, I get very red in the face. I can feel it and people pass comments that make me feel worse. I am a red-head; more ligh auburn now. Although this article explained it, it does not say if there is a way of calming it down, this is why I feel that I still am in the dark.

Posted by Optional on 12/10/2010 at 10:12

If you are crippled by blushing, ask your GP for Propranolol (Beta Blocker). you'll be amazed!

Posted by Optional on 19/09/2010 at 06:31

Wow. I'm NOT a freak!!

Posted by MADDIE on 16/09/2010 at 05:25

Once at school, this boy came up to me and told me this boy liked me, suddenly, (due to sunburn) i went really red (also cuz i was blushing lol i like him too) and everyone laughed cuz they knew i liked him. i know its normal to blush but its really annoying at times. its like my blushing suddenly gives away all my secrets....

Posted by Optional on 10/09/2010 at 05:18

Thank god there are other people out there with this problem, im finding it really hard to deal with this, if i bump into an old friend or work friend i go scarlet, and get flustered and start sweating, what is the cause, im confident and feel good about myself, what is the deal???

Posted by Chris on 17/08/2010 at 02:32

I am also a regular blusher, my issue is the same as Karen's, i would consider myself to have normal confidence and genrally happy with my self, but certain situations and people can just make me panic and there we go as red as a ferrari i go. I also do it infront of family and friends and i also worried that they will think im weird and i also i dont want to make them feel bad for me. Im currently single and its having a major inpact when talking to the ladies, some have said that its so strange as when they get to know me I come across so confident..its such a strange thing...I still dont understand why some people need to say...look he's going red, do they have any idea what that does, it certainly does help the situation or my feelings (having a rant now) hey maybe one day it will stop, but im certainly not going to worry about it anymore, It happens and im just going to stop worrying about it, Lifes to short and im sick of missing out on things because of it...

Posted by Karen on 31/07/2010 at 04:34

I never used to blush the way i do now. I was just a regular blusher, usually if i had been embarressed about something. Now if i am out shopping and i meet people i know i go bright red. It has started happening in front of my family also. Why is this? I am healthy feel good and like the person above if i have had a drink it never happens probably to do with confidence. It is really getting me down as i am a social person and don't want other people feeling i am strange. People who know me know i get like this but it is still annoying as i always feel i have to explain that i blush easily. It feels more panicky now aswell. Why?

Posted by Anon on 27/05/2010 at 06:31

Probably because i'm light brown in complexion my blush isn't red red it's more like pinkish blush... Is that weird? Never used to be the case when i was younger but since i reached my teens i get pinky cheeks most every time.. I find myself turning pinky at the most inopportune times. Like when i'm hanging with friends and we're having a lively convo and suddenly they stop and ask me why i'm blushing, and it only makes me blush more. And then they reach out and pinch my cheeks.. really embarrassing.. Or at times, well most times i blush for no apparent reason. it's sort of a light pinkish blush which only turns darker if i'm told about it... but i'm glad that my friends and family think it's cute..

Posted by anon on 20/05/2010 at 03:46

I have always gone red in my face when i am embarrassed etc but over the last 2 years it has spread to my arms, chest and shoulders. Even if if my skin is not bright red then it is purle and blotchy. People keep asking if I have been out in the sun and got burnt its so bad! I am very fair skinned and it is really affecting my confidence. Please could you advise me if there is anything I can do or use as it is really getting me down and cant wear the clothes I used to.

Posted by Optional on 25/03/2010 at 03:32

about 8 years ago i got really badly sunburnt ever since i suffer from really bad flushing on my entire body, face, neck, shoulders, back, legs, and stomache, its really embaressing and im so tired of people asking what it is, what can i do to stop it?

Posted by chrissy on 26/02/2010 at 10:55

Hi, I have had this problem for ages,but i guess its got worse since i left my husband and applied for a divorce that was in 2006!!I have a good job where i have to be confident every day.I can go for days without it happening but all of a sudden without any warning my face can go so red,can just be having a normal conversation with someone,and as you know i can feel myself getting hotter and hotter and my face would go or feel my face go really red.I suffer from anxiety but I really try not to let it rule my life.I guess i'll give the green cream a try,but really its just excepting that it happens there is nothing wrong with it and it's good to know that you're not the only person suffering from it.Good luck to everyone trying to overcome it.

Posted by kirsty on 23/02/2010 at 09:44

hi everybody. I am the same. If I am drunk it tends to not be noticed as much and that is why I drink so much which is the wrong idea. My face always goes red whether I am embarressed or not. Even sometimes in the street if somebody I know says hi I will blush an awful lot. It has stopped me from being myself and feeling confident yet when I am with people I feel comfortable around, I don't blush. When I do blush people will say to me look you're going red and that will make me go red even more. I think to get over this problem you have to accept it and to do that it means you have to admit to it. For example lately I am at college and people have been saying look you're going red and my answer to that is yes I am but it's not because I am embarressed it happens all the time. I just try to explain to them the way it is and they seem to listen although they may not understand properly. Just everytime somebody says it to you jut say yes I know but it's not because I am embarressed and try to explain the way you are feeling at the time. Hopefully this will help and also if you are having a good day and feeling good about yourself, the more cxomfidence you will have.

Posted by Chrissie on 10/01/2010 at 03:38

My night sweats restarted after I came off HRT. I have tried natural Progesterine cream and lots of herbal remedies. My GP says my problem is no longer hormonal. I am so tired as I wake up several times a night and a few seconds after waking I start to sweat, all over my head and chest mainly. I am wondering whether this has become a nervous response. Has anyone got any advice ? I would be so grateful. Thank you.

Posted by sam on 27/10/2009 at 03:55

Flushing and blushing are NOT two words for the same thing! Blushing is facial. Flushing can be systemic.

Posted by Geraldine on 14/10/2009 at 11:32

Having read Anne's letter, I am almost the same as her. When I wake I immediately become overheated and sweat. Throughout the day I burn up mostly 30 minutes apart, sometimes up to 2 hours apart if I'm outside. I have a sort of panic attack with it as I'm so hot and take my cardigan off, only to freeze and put it back on again. It is so stressful and there's no peace in my life. I get into the car and have to wait until I cool down before I can drive and have to drive in just a t-shirt to avoid the sweats and my husband has to be with me to open and close the windows and adjust the air vent. There seems to be no help. As a child I used to blush all the time and I used green face powder when I grew up, but as I gained confidence this went. I was persuaded to take up smoking to give myself confidence, but it was GIVING UP SMOKING that gave me confidence and made me realise I was as good as anyone. I smoked from age 18 to 28 and I'm now 66. Passed my driving test in Sept 2009!

Posted by Anonynmous on 10/06/2009 at 01:37

I dont get red or hot flushes throughout the day but when i try to talk to people that maybe i bump into on the street that i know or even friends i tend to get flushes then like embarrassiment. I have had it for a while, but seems to be getting worse. Sometimes I can feel comfy in front of people but mostly like this, I am not really shy, or unconfident or dont experience the problem when it is darker or i am drunk, what is the problem does anyone know?

Posted by Anonymous on 10/04/2009 at 06:36

I have the same problem as Anne. The moment I wake up I have a hot flash that last 1-2 minutes. I will have them sometimes throughout the day. Has anyone had a 24hr. urine test for carcinoids? How about thyroid? If so, what did they find?

Posted by Lissa on 10/04/2009 at 06:03

I have the exact same problem as Anne posted below. As soon as I wake up and move, I have a hot flash and will sometimes continue to have them throughout the day. Like Anne my hormone level is fine. I want to have a 24hr. urine to check for what might be the problem. This should show something. Hopefully, not a tumour as it checks for carcinoids. Also, thyroid is being ruled out. Would like to know if Anne has discovered anything.

Posted by reddner on 06/04/2009 at 06:43

So good to ask someone about this. Thank you. I am, believe it or not, a confident person. But at work, when someone I know is of strong character, usually male and testosterone fuelled, and says or asks a personal question, I blushed beyond acceptable reason. everyone at the table will comment or blatantly point. I am at the stage where I say, "I know I am scarlet but blah blah". I would love to not be red and I think it will add to my credibility when responding. One friend advised, curl your toes, you feel slight pain so its a mild distraction without delineating from the subject. I have yet to fully try it but I think its a trier. Any other suggestions, I would be most grateful.

Posted by annom on 05/04/2009 at 12:21

i had this problem aswell.i started buying this miosturiser,its green,and its in a small green tube,rimmel make it.its to stop the redness in your face.rub it in to your face(when you rub it in its not green anymore,you wouldnt notice it) apparantly the green stop the red from showing up,i dont know how it works,but it worked for me and gave me back my confidence,i still feel myself go red but nobody can tell... hope this helps

Posted by Anonymous on 30/03/2009 at 05:41

im 14 and i have a problem. i always go bright red, when im embarresed or even when im not embarresed. when people say 'your going red' it makes me go even more red. i hate it because i feel all hot and sweaty. people always make fun of me. its getting me down,and i dont feel convident anymore. i want to be a fashion model and its stopping me to go to model agencies. i dont want to go to the doctors but what can i do to stop it. please help!

Posted by Anne on 11/03/2009 at 09:47

I have been having horrendous episodes of sweating for the last 18 months. I wake up in the morning and as soon as I start moving this sweating starts. My body is bright red and I feel as if I am about to blow up I am so hot. These are not hot flushes my oestrogen level is OK. (on HRT) these flushes can last up to 4 hours and then I will cool down and then shiver with the cold for a further 3-4 hours. No doctors can help me. They havent a clue what is wrong. Does anybody else have anything like this.

Posted by Anonymous on 28/02/2009 at 08:03

why is my face always red

Posted by Anonymous on 31/01/2009 at 11:18

my son is male and 33. he was brought up to be polite etc., However when at work his colleagues criticise him for being too nice to customers ( they obviously dont know the difference between too nice or polite he blushes...... this in turn causes him to sweat slightly... to the point he wanted to leave his job. i talked to him and told him not to let these stupid people change him...... everyone has polite words to say about him. he lives far away now and is married yet his confidence is suffering due to his workmates. hence causing him to be paranoid about body odour.... washing his clothes more. i feel this is now an anxiety problem and he should see his gp. am i right to suggest same. thank you.