Why are we getting red? Amazing how our body works

Blushing is a spontaneous reaction, and while it can make us feel uncomfortable, we’ve probably all experienced it in our lives. Interestingly, this reaction is unique to each of us, meaning we don’t always turn red for the same reason. Blushing stimuli can be very different.

It is believed that blushing is quite universal and unique to our species. Blushing was described by Charles Darwin as “the most peculiar and human of all words” in 1872, and the phenomenon of blushing is still not fully explained by scientists.

Prof. Ray Crozier, a member of the British Psychological Association, also agrees that it is a unique and little understood, albeit ubiquitous, phenomenon. In addition, it is one of the few reactions that we cannot control or consciously trigger. There are, however, a few facts that reveal this and that about blushes.

What is blush and why do we turn red?

Blushing is normal and it is a temporary redness that occurs. The blushes appear most often on the face, mainly on the cheeks. They can also include ears, neck and cleavage. It’s a natural reaction caused by sympathetic nervous system. People who are easily stressed or have social anxiety may have a tendency to blush more than others.

It is also known that blushing is closely related to emotions, such as feelings of embarrassment or embarrassment. This is because the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for fight or flight response. When we are confused, ours the body releases adrenaline, which causes blood vessels to widen to improve blood flow and oxygen delivery. This makes dilated blood vessels closer to the skin surface, such as on the cheeks, more visible. Better blood supply manifests itself in the form of redness or pinkness of the skin. There is also a feeling of warmth or hotness. This is why when we start to turn red, we feel it perfectly.

Blush it is virtually unmanageable because it works like a perpetual motion machine. The more anxious we feel caused by the awareness of the blush on our face, the stronger the neurological signal we send out and, as a result, we blush even more. Thus, the blush may appear in reaction to the mere fear of its appearance.

Blush – a symptom of stress

Redness can also occur in response to the stress someone experiences, believing they are the center of attention of others. Another reason we start blushing is shame. Interestingly, we don’t need to feel ashamed or ridiculed by someone. According to scientists, blush can occur even when a topic that is generally embarrassing for us is raised in our company, regardless of whether we are in the spotlight or not.

A characteristic symptom may also appear when we feel excluded or inferior – professionally or socially.

There are also other purely physical causes of blush:

1. alcoholic beverages, especially red wine,
2. fever,
3. spicy food
4. hot drinks,
5. extreme temperatures,
6. climacteric,
7. skin sensitivity,
8. rosacea.

Blushing can be very embarrassing, especially when dealing with chronic blush. There is a procedure that is a rescue for people struggling with a chronic condition. Thoracic sympathectomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting the nerve that causes the erythema reflex. This treatment is also used in the treatment of hyperhidrosis.

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Is blush useful?

This reaction from our body seems completely useless, but some psychologists believe it may have some social benefits. Since the appearance of a blush is a reaction beyond our control, it may be a sign of the sincerity of our emotions. According to Dr. Marije aan het Rot, a behaviorist at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, people who turn red are perceived as nice and trustworthy. The blush also acts as a non-verbal signal signifying him with an apology. If we do something wrong and turn red, others will forgive us more easily.

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Lack of control over blushing makes us dislike and fearful of blushes. Some people may have a tremendous fear of redness. This phenomenon is called erythrophobia and it adversely affects social life and mental condition. Cognitive behavioral therapy proves to be helpful.

What to do to alleviate the blushing reaction?

While blushing is not manageable by itself, blushing can be minimized in some simple ways:

1. Do breathing exercises to help you relax and minimize stress.
2. Lower the temperature – the heat will intensify the effect of reddened skin.
3. Drink some cold water to cool down.
4. If you turn red a lot, you can use a green corrector to camouflage redness.
5. Avoid stimuli that make you red.
6. Wash your face with cool water or apply a cold compress to the reddened parts of the skin.

Remember that blush is normal and common. If you turn red, nothing bad will happen.

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