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.  

[SimpleSal]

I think the reason for this is ph level, or being too acidic. Stress from nervousness or anxiety as well as alcohol, a poor diet, etc. Creates an acidic environment in the body, which causes heat and flushing. Find some way to either calm yourself (take a deep breath, think about how awesome you are and how there's no need to be stressed out), or find someway to lower the acid perhaps by consuming some alkaline forming foods. Also, the body's reaction to the alcohol is normal, to your body alcohol is a poison and so the reaction is actually normal. I think we are all just dealing with very sensitive nervous systems which may actually be more overall beneficial than detrimental.

[cheergirl229]

I am 15 years old, and for the past year or so i've noticed whenever I get nervous, excited, scared, angry or any emotion possible, I get this horrible blotchy rash on my chest area. I've never had it on my face and it's not AS bad in the summer time. After I take a hot shower, my legs (mainly), stomach, hips, and chest are horribly broke out. I always thought it was just from the heat of the shower but when my friends started commenting on it I began to get concerned. Nobody I have talked to has this "rash". Then I began to wonder was it just a heat rash? But it couldn't be because in winter, I get it too. And I get it all the time when I'm nervous. Wherever the sun shines on for a long period of time, and i'm not moving, starts breaking out. My mom has even noticed it but she tries to ignore it. I don't know what to think, and i'm very embarassed about this. I quit cheerleading because I got the rash at pep rallys, games, and at practice. My team mates commenting on it made me very concious and made it worse. I don't know what to do, I can't show my doctor because it onlys happens on certain occasions. I am clueless :(

[aquarius01]

I think that's fine. I don't think any of us (humans) should  be ashamed to get assistance with an issue. We go to the doctor (medical), don't we? I'm not sure that the reaction isn't psychological, but I'm not sure if everyone doesn't have it. They just don't flush for one reason or the other. In my opinion, it may not be positive, but it's normal. I don't believe that we are the only one that feels that way. If anything, I think that those who can seek assistance should, and may become more well-rounded people than the average public! Who knows. I don't have insurance and wish I could look at the options you are. I only say that to give you a positive outlook. If I had your resources, I would get a second opinion at an endochrinologist, gynecologist, and visit a psychiatrist. They wouldn't have a specialty to attach a term to, if the "dreaded" last one wasn't needed :)

[aquarius01]

I'm not a doctor or anything, but from what I understand, the heat sensation is caused by the dilation of the capillaries in your chest, etc. And this is due to increased adrenaline. Heat in general dilates, so that might be the reason for the sun thing. Maybe the reason it doesn't happen to everyone (or maybe it does, but it only happens then, so they blame it on the sun) is the fact that when capillaries dilate over and over they can become enlarged and be more susceptible to high blood volumes over time.

[aquarius01]

I began reading some posts earlier today but didn't get as far as yours. I posted one earlier that gives more detail about me, but I wanted to respond to you because you are in a position so similar to mine now, and before. I got my B.A. in psychology while dodging classes that required a presentation. I did a few, but I did not know I got so red at the time. That happened when I was in graduate school for my doctorate. I spent 6 years (going part-time at times) to get my degree and did all the things we're required to do in order to get to that point, but when I had to stand up in front of people and speak, I broke out in blood red all over my neck and all up my throat to my cheeks. I was so humiliated. I could not hide the fact that I was scared to be up there like others can. Any way, I tried to dodge the way I did with elective classes in the past, but since there was so many required ones at that point, it was impossible. I did end up leaving school for this reason. I don't know how bad yours gets, but if it is just blotchy, maybe beta blockers in the prescribed dose will help. They lessen the bounding of the heart, which lessens adrenaline output. I am also about to try (tomorrow, in fact) a combo of Inderol (beta blocker) and Passionflower ( some kind of natural thing I read about that acts in the brain like Valium). I realize that a sedative isn't going to decrease the redness itself, but it will shut down the brain activity (hopefully) enough to slow down the worrying before presentation or situations  that leads to more "red".

[aquarius01]

I am glad I'm not alone. I don't know anyone who gets this like me in person. This has truly affected my life. Like everyone else, this happens with all emotions, and what's gotten me more worried, is lately it seems to happen for no reason at all, or at least way out of proportion to what I'm feeling or talking about. This happens the worst when around people I'm uncomfortable with, but it is ridiculously bad when speaking in front of a croud. In fact, I let this thing ruin a lot for me. I had just started graduate school and in one of my first classes had to get up and give a presentation. I turned scarlet red all over my chest up my cheeks. Some people were smiling uncomfortably, and I (perceived anyway) that others were trying not to laugh. It was humiliating and, actually, a bit traumatic. Long story short, I ended up dropping out of school (which I had spent years preparing for) because nearly every class required some kind of presentation. I think the worst part is that I feel I can't salvage any privacy to feel what I want inside alone (can't keep feeling insecure or nervous a secret), and, that I can't salvage any dignity or pride. Any way, now I'm in nursing school (safe enough, or so I thought) and so far we've had to get up in groups, which luckily, I find there's always someone who doesn't mind speaking. But I'm afraid it will be forced upon me to do (a new teacher is having us do this crap daily now, so the odds are rising) and I'm scared that I will let my pride and embarrassment run me out of here, too. And I'm half-way done! Yesterday I was so depressed I couldn't stand it. But I feel better today after reading peoples' posts. By the way, beta blockers are usually prescribed for high blood pressure. That (inderol) is my only defense to date. The problem is, it takes a lot. And I'm sure a lot more than that for me to stay un-red speaking in front of people. I don't know if taking enough to prevent a really bad attack will lower my blood pressure too much. What a pickle! I asked a pharmacist who said "just watch your blood pressure". But even if my blood pressure is high enough that I can stand to take a lot, what about before and after my blood pressure rises, it's not like I can sniff an antedote or something:) Any way, be careful not to take to much beta blocker, but if anyone finds out an answer to the pickle, please let me know. I'm also on my way today to get passionflower, an herb, I think. It's suppose to do the same kind of thing as valium. I'm hoping a combo of that and a reasonable amount of inderol will help. I'll keep everyone posted.