I have exactly the same problem. I get nervous and break out into this awful red blotchy rash that goes on my chest, neck, back and arms. Its very embarassing and I worry about it all the time, and try to wear clothing that will cover it up just so that I can spend the day not worrying if im going to break out in this rash and people see it. It happens when I have to go to a social event or talk to my boss or just when I get embarassed. I wish there was some medication that would stop the rash from occuring. Life would be so much easier if I didnt have to worry about this rash appearing all the time. And like you said, as soon as I calm down, it vanishes, but at the time its very obvious. It makes me avoid social events even if I really want to go, I just know that the rash will appear when im trying to talk to people. If anyone knows how to treat this that would be a miracle.

Thanks.

Wow this is sad have either one of you ever spoke to a doctor about this? I right now have hugh welts all over me and I dont know what they are from but I couldnt imagine what it would feel like to have this happen every time I got nervous. Good luck di

I have no idea how you would get rid of this kind of rash, but I had to respond because my best friend of thirteen years has had this her whole life. You should have seen her prom and wedding pictures!!! I think it is just cause by the increase in bloodflow discoloring the skin when you get nervous or over exert yourself. Don't be embarrassed about it. It give you character!

If, as seems to be the case, this rash is from nerves/stress/anxiety then I suggest you try learning some stress management techniques. Deep measured breathing, meditation (these take a while but I do know people who having persevered with meditation who can now virtually meditate stress etc away in a couple of breathes).

Another piece of advice is that the more it happens the more likely it is to happen because you expect it (mind over matter or body in this case) so try taking "baby steps" & facing really small challenges until maybe you no longer find them affecting you & then try slightly bigger steps & so on.

There'sa also lots of alternative medicines & therapies that might be worth looking into, bowen therapy, acupuncture, acupressure etc.

Good luck

Nervous rashes are common in a lot of people. Going on a special diet or taking medications are not worth it. You are still going to get nervous occasionally. Or embarassed. Everyone does. You should grow to accept that your neck gets red when you are nervous. It is just like blushing. It is from blood running to your face and neck. No stress management is going to get rid of that!

It's easy to say just learn to accept it, but sometimes the experience is so awful & so embarrassing (each person's level of embarrassment is different too) that you need help in order to be able to overcome it. Never be ashamed or feel like a failure for asking for help, the failure or shame is when you have a problem, know it & let it ruin or have a negative affect on your life because you were too proud/shy whatever to accept/ask for help!!!!

Wow purple I am really getting sick of you contradicting every single thing that I say. You must know everything!!! We should just call this the purple333 forum!!!
I did not make anyone feel shamed for asking for help. The only thing that I was saying is that there really is nothing that you can do about it. My best friend of thirteen years has had this problem all of her life! She hates it, but it is like her trademark! We all think it is cute. Everyone views other people differently then they view themselves. We are the hardest on ourselves and hate every little thing that may be different than other people. I understand that you get embarassed and I am sorry about that, but try not to worry. Since there really is not anything you can do to stop the blood from rushing to your neck, chest and face. If you could, I would be worried.

But you could try this: "take a gentle 30 minute walk between 6 & 7 am.....Lol....J/k

Hotasprick,

i'm not contradicting everything you say, i'm replying to the posts & in fact if you had read all the posts i've made after yours you'd know I totally agreed with some of the things you've said!!

As to you saying these things can't be overcome I managed to overcome it & I know others who have too.

your comment about all of you thinking your friend is cute is so lacking in consideration for her feelings since you say she hates it, you should be more considerate.

re your sarcasm on my advice for helping stress etc that comes straight from a specialist dr / psychiatrist who treats a person in a holistical way, has had articles printed internationally & who is using these ideas & practices that i'm mentioning successfully working on people with all sorts of problems including bi-polar disorder, manic depression, drug abuse, stress etc, perhaps you should do a little more research on things like tryptophan (also 5htp), dhea, serotonin & the affect of sunlight on serotonin before denying the possibilility that there may be ways to help people that seem really simple & basic.

perhaps your intention wasn't to make someone feel silly to ask for help but that's how it seemed to me which is all I can respond to & I felt that ambra needed to know that what's silly is not asking for help not vice versa.

Hi there I also have this rash, and have had it for as long as I can remember. I am 40 years old now and my doctor has just prescribed me with a beta blocker. Does anyone know it they are going to work, I don't want to build by hopes up too much.

I really don't know all I can suggest is that you go to a search engine like google & check uses, effects, side effects etc of beta blockers??

:d I also suffer from redness on my chest and neck, whenever I drink alcohol or am hot, the redness appears when I am at home, as well as when I go out, so I know it is not a nervous rash.

Anyway I came across this cream called "derma blend" ,it comes in all different colours to suit your skintone, I tried it out at home when the rash appeared and it covered it completely. You can buy the cream from boots,but they only sell it online,it costs £19.99p but will last for ages, the cream is also used to cover tattoo's and scars.

Hope this helps you all luv bridge

Sorry I forget to mention, you can get a trail kit of derma blend its costs £4.99p it comes with several different shades so you can try out the different colours to see what suits you first before you buy the larger size, it is small enough to carry in your handbag,so you can apply it in the loo when you go out if you feel the rash coming on, it has given me loads of confidence and I don't have to worry about going red anymore.

Hi ambra,

I too get this very embarassing neck rash when I get stressed, its hot outside, or if i'm drinking. Its getting worse as the years go by and it definitely interferes with my social/work life. I tried paxil off and on for awhile which helped a bit but I don't like the side effects. People always tell me I shouldn't be embarrassed but they don't know what its like. Anyways I just wanted you to know that you are not alone, and if I ever find something that works i'll let you know. Till then I guess we'll keep wearing turtlenecks.

Take care

I broke out in hives real bad on my wedding day and knew it was from my anxiety. It's totally normal. I honestly don't understand why someone would seek medical attention for it....It's not like it's gonna kill you.

I get the exact same rash when im stressed, hot or drinking alchol. It makes you feel so noticable and unnormal! My gp gave me beta blockers that do work very well, really good to know there r people out there in the same boat. Any other suggestions would b very welcome.

I have this problem too. I get it about once a week. I used to get it about once a day when I was in high school...And it ruined my self-esteem. Still today, when it happens, everyone has to point it out, they say "oh my god, what's wrong with your neck?!?!?" and after hearing this all my life, I still don't know how to respond to the question. What should I say?- "oh, I just do this when I get nervous or anxious." well, that doesn't make a whole lot of sense to most people, because they don't have social anxiety disorder and don't understand how the current situation entails anxiety. Yes, i've tried paxil and lexapro, and they did help somewhat with the anxiety, but not at all with the rash...And they weren't worth the 30 extra pounds. I've missed out on so many events in my life because of this problem, including my prom because it's inevitable that I would break out with the rash at a social even like the prom, and they don't make turtleneck prom dresses. I was lucky enough to find, on another site, that inderal helps most people with this problem...And I was able to talk my doctor into prescribing it for my wedding. It worked remarkably...I looked and felt like a normal person on my wedding day and I have great wedding pictures that I am not embarassed to look at or show off. Thank god! I would just like to ask people who do not suffer from this problem chronically not to tell those who do to, in essence, "get over it." you have no idea what it does to one's self-esteem.

Hi, I also get a red blotchy rash on my neck and chest. I used to think that it was down to nerves, but after having it for about 5 years, it seems to be other things such as drinking alcohol or if i'm hot or agitated.

I have come to accept this rash and am used to people commenting on it all the time, but i'm getting married soon and don't want it to be showing up in photos etc.

Does anyone know if anything like anti-histamine tablets would work? I would rather not have to take beta-blockers.

Your advice would be must appreciated.

Hi, I to suffer from this rash.I have suffered this from the age of twelve.It started of as a small rash which made me paranoide that if anyone saw it they would bully me.So I used to wear a poloneck under my shirt.I became aware that the more anxious I was the rash spread in blotches across my chess,up my neck ,down my arms and my face.As the years went by I got worse because I fellet like a freak .I love going out havin fun but I let this rash take over my life and looking back it was the reason I left college and stopped me doing the things I wanted to do.Soo if your reading this dont let it control you, you control it.I am 26 now and I know what its from and how you can control it.These are my causes/ anxiety /excitement/ fear/ panic attacks/ alcohol / tiredness /authoritive people/ negitive thoughts /heat/anxious/anger/being misunderstood etc.So only you can control it not drugs like beta blockers.This is what I am doing to control the rash.1 drink alcohol slowly ,always have aglass of water handy. 2 face my fears. 3 wear dark make up.4 gain selfesteem.5 think positivly.6 be myself.7 being more confident.8 having at least 8 hours sleep a night.9got a dog to go walking to keep fit .10 eat healthy foods.11 being more organised .I am changing my life so I can be more in control, more confident and live my life to the max!

I am going to order dermablend and try this make up and if its good and covers up the rash I will let yous know. Cat