red blotchy chest/neck rash

[nurseam]

Just wondering if anyone has a 'miracle cure'!!  For a few years now, I've been getting a red blotchy chest/neck rash in circumstances where I - am drinking alcohol, anxious, nervous, excited, upset - really feeling just about any emotion.  It's gotten to the point where I do not expose my chest/neck ever - and cover up whenever I can.  I had read once that taking Niacinimide could help - and I've been taking about 1000mg of it for a few months, but am not seeing much improvement.  Anyone with any help or suggestions I would REALLY appreciate it.  

[zelda1608]

I have anxiety, which is mostly brought on by this rash, I'm sure. When I was in High school, it ruled my life, and I dressed and shopped compliant with the rash. Since the fear of it was constantly in my head, I would always get it. Just thinking about the rash made is appear. About eight months ago, I left my boyfriend of five years and moved out of our shared apartment to live with my sister. I became very spiritual, reading the bible and attending a church I liked nearby. I was also smoking weed about three times a day, and was always happy and laughing, with no thought of the rash, and therefore no occurrences of it(to my knowledge, and nobody ever pointed it out, so I am assuming it was non-existent). Then one day I was at a friend's, and we were smoking a lot of weed. After a certain level of highness I reached, all of the sudden I became very anxious. I could barely think about anything except how hot I was feeling, and I was sure the rash was there. My old nemesis, forgotten, but not gone. I could not concentrate on anything she was saying, I was sure I felt an evil presence around me trying its hardest to make me feel horrible about myself. It was almost palpable, and the fact that I let it bring me down, was devastating. I felt like a failure, and have avoided weed ever since. Now it makes me very paranoid, a sure reflection of the anxiety and paranoia that is ever constant in my brain. The pot just exacerbated how I felt, and since I feel anxious lately it magnifies that to the point where I got a panic attack. Now I have been getting panic attacks more and more ever since that one, even not high, and the rash is always there when I feel panicked. Sometimes, the rash is what makes me panic, because I will feel it and feel like a failure for getting it. I went to the health food store, and found something called "trauma drops" that you add to your water when you are feeling an episode. They contain calendula flower, st johns wort flowering tops, and arnica flower. They help when I feel anxiety rising but when it is a full blown panic attack nothing helps except maybe valium, which I do not like taking, because i am determined to get better without medication. A few weeks ago at work, a guy moved over to the booth next to me who creeps me out. I have a boyfriend, but still this creep is always staring and creepily smiling at me and moving over by me and it  makes me very uncomfortable. Also because he is an atheist, which is fine, everyone has their own beliefs, but he blasphemes about my Savior and it disgusts me, which then prompts me to argue with him, and then I feel discouraged that I cannot help him find God, or at least stop criticizing believers.  He was one my left side, and I was on the phone with a respondent and he was leaning over into my booth and just staring at me. I could feel myself get hot, and i looked down to see the rash forming on my LEFT arm, not my right, only the one that was visible to him. Then I could feel it grow, and I went to bathroom and saw it all over my chest, and by that time it had also spread to my other arm, and was creeping up my neck. I had to go back out there, and it felt like the walk of shame. I hated the rash, hated myself for getting it, and hated him for making me feel so uncomfortable. Then I could not get it out of my head what a failure I was, and a panic attack began. I got light-headed, dizzy, and nauseous. I could not wait for my shift to end, but time was against me and crept by at an unimaginable sluggishness. I went online that night, and decided to try hypnotherapy, to cure me of this new found obsession with the rash, this feeling of being trapped in an uncomfortable situation, and now depression because of my anxiety. I over-think everything, but now that I have begun to over-think in the negative direction, there are no perks like when I over-thought positively. No revelations from God, no excellent debating qualities, just utter disappointment. I met with this therapist twice so far, and she is going to put me in a light hypnosis next thrusday. I cannot wait, I don't care if I get the stupid rash, I just DON'T WANT TO CARE that its there. I also do not want to care if people notice it, or what they think of me. It is so crippling being anxious all the time, and feeling that "trapped" feeling that has been causing me to have panic attacks lately. When I go to the grocery store, every time I am checking out, I feel a sick feeling in my gut, and I feel like I am trapped there, until everything is rung up. Why does that scare the **** out of me? It never used to, I used to be able to go the store high, drop **** everywhere, and laugh it off. Id feel a little blush, but it did not freak me out to the point where it would get worse and redder, then spread to my chest in the form of a weird rash. I cant even imagine going anywhere high anymore, I know I would have a panic attack as soon as somebody looks at me. I'll keep you all updated on the hypnosis, because I know this ridiculousness is all in my head, because eight months ago I was fine and healthy, and now I am a wreck.

[Easttexaner]

Any updates?

[thebird21]

I too suffer from this, i get it when i'm feeling a certain type of emotion. It's like I feel everything ten times more than the average person and when that happens, adrenaline shoots through my body at such a fast pace causing this weird rash. It can get quite bad when I have a lot of adrenaline. I can see it on my neck, chest, shoulders and even on my back when i'm feeling a certain type of way and I am sick of it. I just hope there is something out there that we can use to stop all of this. I have tried beta blockers, but I built up a tolerance to them after awhile. They are only a temporary solution in my opinion. Has anybody got new news of cures/treatments? Been awhile since the last post, we should get this back active.

[Paxiled]

First, making a new post usually gets more responses.  Second, you really don't know if more adrenaline is passing through your system, you just feel like it is.  It probably isn't, that usually happens with an anxiety attack.  Third, those of us who have too much empathy can really suffer in life, and sometimes it comes from insecurity.  If that's the case, therapy might be of more help than a beta blocker.  Not sure if you don't have a heart problem why that was used, as far a anxiety is concerned those are usually only useful with things like social anxiety and public speaking phobias.  

[thebird21]

Decided to post on this thread seeing as it has gained a lot of traction in the past, wanted to see how people have gotten on since their last post. I do also suffer from anxiety, but I assume it's adrenaline causing the rash as my doctor has told me in the past that i suffer from these rashes due to my body over reacting to adrenaline. It is hard to tell what it is from...it can happen due to so many different emotions that I don't know why it happens anymore,and it causes me to become really down about it. I know things could be worse and I could have a serious illness but it's still stopping me from living my life to the fullest. Avoiding certain situations, wearing clothes to cover my neck, wearing concealer, beta blockers. I'm seeing the doc next monday to talk about it again, hopefully we will come to a conclusion once and for all. I wouldn't worry as much if the rash didn't look as bad but it's come out as a blotchy red rash all across my neck, it looks violent. To the point where people would definitely point it out if they seen it. I was prescribed beta blockers for the rash but the rash was being caused due to anxiety in the past. But my point now is that it comes on due to any sort of emotion. I hope there is something out there...I will find a cure no matter what!

[Jones89star]

I've suffered with this for years and the only thing which works is beta blockers (prescribed from GP). I don't take them daily, just if I know I'm going to be in a situation where the rash is likely to happen. Take 25-50mg about 1 hour before event/situation. I took 75mg on my wedding day along with an antihistamine (to help with the alcohol rash). My chest and neck were exposed in my wedding dress and I didn't have one bit of redness the whole day! I do find that if I wear a scarf then I can still go red underneath it, but any exposed skin will be fine. Think this is just due to heat from being stressed.

I was nervous talking to my GP about this but luckily he was familiar with it. Please give it a try. The only side effect they give me is a slightly dry mouth.

[eoa2016]

POSSIBLE SOLUTION!!!!


I have suffered from excessive flushing that has gotten severely worse over the years.  I've also blushed in the face and it wasn't until I entered my 20's that I started flushing on my neck, chest and back.  And I flushed at EVERYTHING...social situations, alcohol, sun, heat, you name it.  It has been so embarrassing!

Anyway, I recently discovered that I have an extremely posterior tilted pelvis.  Growing up, my mom always told me I needed to suck in my stomach and tuck in my butt for good posture.  I started working toward finding a neutral pelvis position and strengthing/stretching certain muscle groups...and within 1 week, my blotching has become pretty much non-existant.  I wasn't even trying to fix that problem either!!  I'm in shock.

I still flush in the face if I'm embarrassed (I think that's genetic), but I do now believe that it must have been something in my poor alignment had been causing all of the flushing on the rest of my body.  I really hope this helps some others out there!  I know how miserable this can be!!  

[Herbnerd]

I have suffered this for years it progressed into food and enviromental allergies and finally into CHRONIC fatuige. I was ready to end my life it was so bad. I also have hashimotos and sjogrens. A friend gave me the book "The Amazing LIVER AND GALLBLADDER FLUSH " By ANDRE Moritz. I read the book. Did 6 cleanses and passed over 2000 stones. My allergies and fatuige dissapeared.  I dropped 30 lbs effortlessly and was taken off my thyroid meds. Also I was told my Sjogrens was gone... a desease that has no known cure!  Now after 4 years I have felt so good I have neglected to keep up with the ocasional gallbladder flush and the first symptom back was my thyroid crashing and needing to go back onto my meds. Now the flushing and rashes are coming back. If I get nervous, fire red rash all over chest,face and neck. If I get angry or sad or upset or even happy same fire rash, if I have to speed to someone or answer questions same rash!! I am starting up cleanses again expecting rash to dissapear once again, along with the thyroid issues. The book is free pdf online if you don't want to buy it. No excuses! In a bit she'll it's 6 days of apple juice between meals.(the malic acid softens stones) on 6th day you fast and take a mixture of olive oil and grapefruit juice  before bed. Wake up next morning and flush out hundreds of stones painlessly. Cheap, easy, read the book. Understand what you are doing. There is also a Facebook group for this specific flush. Hope to see you there ;)

[Kinsley49969]

Try Xanax for rash.

[BKSH]

I'm not alone?!?! This has 100% changed the way I live my life. I'm so tired of covering up and the constant anxiety that they will surface. I just wait for the oh are you okay. Are you having an allergic reaction? Please tell me in the 7-8 years people have been posting, someone found something to help!

[neatfreak1]

I have found that taking Tagamet before a presentation or a situation where I might be anxious really helps. It blocks histamine and prevents or gets rid of the red blotches. You can buy it over the counter.

[linds1989]

Any luck Samantha?

[Samantha5612]

I also have this condition I only get it on my chest but i stood in a wedding and was so nervous having everyone looking at me that it travelled all the way up by shoulder. I am getting married in a week and i went to doctors for a solution she gave me 20mg of propanolol. Really hoping this will work or I just know itll be hugeee. Ill let you know how it turns out.

[Burydtreasure]

I've had this condition for years and it's getting worse.  I've had counselling, CBT, used anti-depressants and nothing makes it go away.  At best I ignore it and it ebbs away fairly quickly, at worst it makes me feel suicidal and I don't mean that lightly.  I feel it develop, I start to panic and it I feel it creep up my neck until I feel devastated.  I feel friends and family do not understand how this makes me feel.  I have a huge collection of necklaces and scarves that will cover this area.  I plan my outfit carefully to make sure I am covered incase of stressful times and it develops.  

I know I am odd because I see people's eyes move downwards to my neck and not my face.  I now avoid social occasions because of this.  It makes life easier this way.

I wish with all my might that his affliction would go away.  It has ruined my life.

[Kayley90]

I get it as well, I am so paranoid of it, I see people staring at my neck and chest and I know people are looking at this horrible rash, I so want it to go, it is starting to ruin my life, it makes me so low and uncomfortable in my skin. I wish there was a cure, I get it when I eat food and mainly when I eat hot food, it then makes me go hot and flushed, I get it a social events I get it also when I'm happy, sad, overwhelmed, emotional and upset etc, what can I do to prevent this rash??!!!

[Shelbyholly]

I have this too. I’m also looking for a cure if anybody has found one. ***@****

[nursegirl6572]

This thread is very old, and very long.  People's concerns aren't being addressed.  Please start your own new thread:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/new_with_new_subject?forum_id=71


Thanks!

[cmnc]

I need this red and blotchy skin to stop! Is it more appropriate to visit a general physician or dermatologist to address this issue?

[Amous123]

I have had the same red hot rash on my chest for years. I get it when I get nervous. I used to drink Alcohol and that also made it break out....Recently I discovered I have Chronic Migraine - Migraine is NOT just a headache and that red rash is part of Aura for me - So if you ever get a headache after that and your eyes get sensitive to light then you may be having a migraine.  Sometimes I don't even get a headache at all - that is called silent migraine

[graceful13]

How long does the redness last after you use the hairdyrer? Is it something i could use before school? I am having a real bad problem with the redness. None of my friends get it and they ask me, What worng with your neck? It is so embarassing!

[spacecadet80]

I, too, have been suffering from this rash for many years. I am 32 years old and I can honestly say I never noticed the rash until I started drinking in my 20's. I have noticed, for me, the rash only appears when I am really nervous, drinking alcohol, which I now avoid, or working out, which has become the most embarrassing situation for me because that is when it is worst. I am limited to working out at home because of this rash because I typically wear my hair up and a tank top and my chest neck and face get blotchy, red and itchy. My hands will also swell and get red and itchy. I have read about this in runners forums before, so the adrenaline being the cause sounds the most logical. Now, it's just a matter of figuring out if there is something that can counteract the reaction our bodies have to the adrenaline. If I find out anything more, I will post back.

[samara173]

I've also suffered from the red blotches that occur when i'm feeling some emotion out of the norm, mostly nervous and uncomfortable. I started to notice it when i was 15 and im 23 now and the only clothing i wear is something that covers my chest, so i don't need to worry about it so much. I have started to accept it more now and i find that building your confidence in situations and out in places really does help to decrease how often and severe my blotches appear. But I can never do a presentation or  anything infornt of people for the fear that my chest, face, neck, and shoulders are just going to burst out in severe red blotches. When i feel it coming on i do try and control it, breath slower and deeper, think positive nice thoughts and i can usually make it go away.

But like everyone this is a huge problem for me especially if i'm going on a date! It does seem to be very common and i've noticed my friends are starting to get it as well so im really happy to tell them Beta Blocker or a anti histamine might help :)

[AlwaysRed]

Could you please tell me what dermablend product you use? I've just looked it up, but there are so many!

[AlwaysRed]

Hi everyone,
I am new to this thread, and have been suffering from this since my mid teens. I am now 25. I have taken birth control pills, but suffered this prior to starting those. I now have an Implanon, yet I believe every year the rashes get more severe! I had previously thought they were related to puberty and my inexperience in social situations etc, however I now have quite a high stress job, frequently present in meetings/group situations etc, and it is getting NO better!
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME?!
I have normal blood pressure (123/83 from 24 hour monitoring, I do have a family history of hypertension, so got mine checked. It did get to 190/100 during presentation at university, but when I am home sits around 100/70, so am worried about taking a beta-blocker in case it drops too low!)
I have a normal thyroid level (had an abnormal pap smear and had this checked)
I am fair skinned, but not really pale, just standard Caucasian brunette, can burn in the sun, but also tan. I don't really have freckles, just the odd one here and there
In the sun, and in front of heaters etc I get the rash
Just writing about the rash, at home on the couch, I get the rash?!?!?!
When I am nervous, excited, happy, anxious, upset, angry, basically any emotion except normal I get this same blotchy red ugly rash! It really effects my taking part in social things, having birthdays, wanting to get engaged/married etc, its greatly impacting on my life.
It occurs during presentations, sex, job interviews, conflicts at work/home, when I am exercising, or bobbing down, or squatting for a period of time
It occurs mainly on my chest and neck, but when really bad my face (I wear makeup everyday to avoid people noticing my face), arms, thighs, back, etc
It happens when I start to drink, especially red wine, but I wonder if it is the drinking, or the social situation I am in when having a few drinks, but as above, once I've had 3 or 4 drinks it calms down a lot!
It is driving me insane! There are many options listed here which I may try. I do suffer terrible hay fever during summer, so normally take Demazin (which has pseudoephedrine, and is the only thing that has helped my hay fever), however I consistently get the rash when I'm taking this :-(
I do also suffer excessive sweeting, mainly during presentations or when I am stressed. As a lot of people have said, I don't feel nervous, yet believe my body is giving me away, I LOVE public speaking, even job interviews, I get excited to prove what I know, and show how much I know, what a good fit I would be, yet you can see the interviewers staring, regardless of my outfit, at my neck/face/chest and losing focus of what I am saying and just wondering what the hell is going on! ARG! I'm exhausted thinking about it, I know it could be worse, but as other people have said, I am otherwise normal, attractive, not overweight, have good social skills etc, yet I feel like this lets me down so so much! Please reply to me if you have had any success with anything, I would really appreciate it!

[AlwaysRed]

I am scheduling an appointment with my GP about this next week, reading this thread has hopefully changed my life coming up to high stress finance interviews! Thank you so much for sharing!

[ALSO_RED]

I am 18 and I have also been getting this red rash on my face, neck, chest and arms for over a year.  It has caused me lots of distress and I was able to overcome it at one point when my boyfriend and I split up, I was so withdrawn that I was able to drink alcohol and talk to anybody without getting the rash. However, shortly after we got back together it came back and I had to find new ways to deal with it. Over winter I wore lots of scarves and high neck tops but was worried about the forthcoming summer months. In February I started to wear foundation on my neck as well as my face, I use Rimmel London liquid foundation and an applicator brush to apply it to my neck. It has changed a lot. It covers up the rashes almost immaculately and has enabled me to wear lower cut tops and control how I feel in social situations as I am more confident the rash won't appear. I would love to try some sort of drug to sort the problem but I am concerned about the side effects. I'm hoping eventually the rash will disappear on its own, but if not, I always carry an extra little pot of foundation with me! Hope this helps!

[mrspillpopper659]

I break out in red blotches on my neck and chest area when ever I get nervous around people. I've been diagnosed by my psychologist with social anxiety disorder. I'm now on Effexor XR 75mg once daily. It's only been 5 days since starting on these meds and will have to wait and see if they actually work for me.

[rebekah900]

Has anyone tried oracea? I went to my doctor about this problem and this is what she gave me. It is not a strong as a beta blocker, and she reccomended that I stay away from beta blockers because my blood pressure is very healthy so taking a blocker could lower it too much (to the point where I could feel foggy or faint while on it). From my understanding, oracea is typically used for rosacea and acne, of which I have neither. She also recommended a laser therapy treatment to the blood vessels on my chest and neck. Has anyone else tried oracea or the laser treatment? I am very hesitant about both, but I realize that I cannot keep tanning the rest of my life.

[alexiso]

I was diagnosed with mitrovalve prolapse as an early teen, either from heat stroke or scarlet fever.  Now I too am 40 and this red neck problem is becoming terrible :/  I am also very pale and some redness is as bad as a port wine stain amost!!  I do have a Dr appt soon and will discuss all this with her.  I take meds for anxiety, sleep disorder, and high cholesterol.  It seems these symptoms are commonly shared also.

[ussteph]

Benadryl works. They gave it to me at the hospital last week.