Researchers have found in a small study that those with rosacea were more aware of and embarrassed by blushing than those without the disorder.¹

Drs. Peter Drummond and Daphne Su, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, monitored changes in forehead blood flow with laser Doppler fluxmetry in 31 rosacea patients and in 86 individuals without rosacea while singing, giving an impromptu speech and listening to recordings of these activities.

Q. Is there any way to control blushing? I feel anxious and inhibited when I am in a small group because I feel my whole face is glowing red.

A. Blushing is a common phenomenon, especially in people whose fair skin cannot hide the sudden onset of facial redness. It is often caused by emotions, but can also be triggered by a variety of environmental and other factors.