Help me!!! Why does this happen to me when I'm nervous and how can I stop it?

[FingersOnBuzzzers]

When I'm nervous/embarrassed/ uncomfortable in any way, my neck chest & shoulder, upper arm area goes bright red and blotchy. It feels burning hot and it puts me in a viscous cycle of then feeling more embarrassed because people can see my neck going bright red. It's awful and causes me to feel awkward in social situations. What is this and can I fix it. I've lived with this for long enough, I just want it to stop! Please help.

Very normal bodily response to
Stress, as I'm sure you are aware, nobody half decent would judge you for your red blotches,
Let It happen, dont focus on it, tune into what is going on around you,

Same here. My face and neck go bright red.

Oh I get the same thing!

Mine does that too, when I’m stressed, nervous or if I’ve had alcohol. These days it happens when I get menopausal hot flushes too and I’ve been styling it out with a fan when I get overheated and complaining about being a lady of a certain age. 😆
No advice really I’m afraid, it’s horrible when it happens.

I am very fair, and this has happened to me since I was tiny (30+ years!) I absolutely hate it, but have to agree with a PP that no-one worth their salt gives a damn.

Things that vaguely help - staying cool (literally...don't wear a thick jumper if you're in an important meeting!), leaving plenty of time to get places (if I rush in somewhere I'll be very red and flare up periodically afterwards) - this is especially applicable if you're going from the cold outdoors to a warm room. Drinking wine sometimes makes me more prone to it, as does binging on sugar. Also, I've noticed that some periods of time are worse than others - perhaps it's hormonal? I'm very heavily pregnant now and your thread has just made me realise I haven't seriously blushed/flushed in ages. Other times I can barely have a conversation without it happening. During trickier periods I sometimes wear a green-tinted primer under my makeup to (hopefully) counteract the effect slightly.

My GP prescribed propranolol for when I could anticipate issues (giving speeches, job interviews, training, leading disciplinary meetings). And I got creative with cravat-style scarves for work at times.

And gradually over the years it just seemed I got over it and I haven't had the blotches for a long time.

I'm the same, no idea how to stop it

I'm glad I'm not alone with this... although I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I'm not actually a shy person so it's really frustrating. My face doesn't go red strangely enough. I've just had a piano lesson and I'll even have it happen during that because I'm under pressure to do well.

Same here. Even had a dr quiz me on it during a routine appointment about something else! Better in summer when a tan hides it better, in winter I live in polo necks and foundation. Would love to stop it.

I don't get a tan* unfortunately fade*. Just desperately want to find a miracle cure!

You’re fortunate that your face doesn’t go red, OP .

I have the same thing, including face and ears. (My mum has it too - it really upsets her). I tend to focus on making (appropriate) eye contact so that people don’t think I am flustered or upset. And to signal in other ways that I am confident in my opinion (posture, voice, etc).

However it still happens at work, on the phone, on video calls, at conferences, when presenting etc. I do a lot of the latter. I had just decided to live with it but am interested in a pp’s mention of medication which might help!