I understand what everyone is going through with this problem. I suffer from a red splotchy rash on my chest every time I get nervous, anxious,embaressed, feel sick, feel hot, or get upset. I am 15 years old and I wish that I could wear the same low cut shirts and dresses that my friends wear. I am on an anti-anxiety medication, but it doesn't seem to help. I am so worried that this will continue for the rest of my life and I don't know what I am going to do when I go to prom or get married because they don't make dresses that cover your chest up to your neck. This rash is the only reason why I have anxiety and it kept me out of school for a year. I had to be homeschooled becasue I was scared and embaressed about what people would think of me. If anyone has any solution to this problem that is comsuming my life please post a message. I would be forever greatful.

Hello eveyone. I have had the rash problem for as long as I can remember. I am now 26. I get it under the slightest bit of stress, in anticipation of stress, when I am excited, nervous, etc. The problem is it is finally causing me major problems. I am a social worker and run a lot of large meetings, I also have to deal with stressful situations a lot. I like what I do, and I think I am good at it, but it is embarrassing to break out on home visits, in meetings, etc. On a home visit a few weeks ago, I broke out really bad, I played it off like I was allergic to something cause I was so embarrassed. But now today I met with the same family and it happened again, not as bad. But the dad pointed out across the table in the middle of a meeting of 8 people, "you're neck has those spots again!!!" I don't know if I should just start telling my clients that what happens to me under stress and stop hiding it or if I will then lose my credibility. Any advice out there????

I know what u mean!I get so pissed when this happen to me because u cant hide your feelings of stress anger etc cause of my rash commin out most people know and can make people uneasy in your presents which makes u feeling theres nowere to hide u feel traped.I left work because of it cause I started to take pannic attacks im ok now but feel like I could not work again or at least working in the public sector .You are worried that they might have figurt it out so tell them once u do u will feel releived and u will feel more at ease around them which will keep the rash at bay.

Hi,try not to worry.Im 26 have it from 12 your going to have to accept that this is part of u.When I went to my prom I went out and got the nicest dress I didnt cover my chess or neck up once u feel good look the best your going to look on the day u will get lots of complements take these and u will b fine but if there going 2 b people u dont like going try to clear the air before u go so u dont have anything 2 b worring about.Wear some good make up I wear a darker one when im worried and it can work put it on your neck chess & face wear a necklace and if the rash is noticable and someone is teasing u say its a heat rash or a reaction to the necklace that will shut them up .U also can get halterneck dresses which are backless and look hot! U could also leave your hair down which can hide it .I have lonng hair myself and most of the time I would leave it down .

Im 16 and have suffered with this I think since I started secondary school, maybe a yr or 2 into it. I have to agree whoever has said just get over it, it is so hard to just forget about it and imagine its not there. You have people looking at you saying - omg whats wrong with your neck. I am beginning to be able to control it, I personally believe some of it is down to self confidence- I do have very ittle confidence, but on those days when you just feel confident it doesn't seem to affect me. The worst times for me so far have been where i've had to make presentations in classes, I get nervous , worried, anxoius, and then all the focus is on you, then you beign to feel hot and you just no your gettin the rash, and sometimes I just feel like running out the room. I have to laugh at myself sometimes coz I try and pull my jumper up to cover my neck, I must look like a right fool, but I just dont care, it makes me feel better inside. Luckily I have great mates and one of my bestest mates even says it creates a kool pattern on my neck!!
My proms coming up soon and im gunna b nervous, but my way of thinkin is its gunna b dark so hopefully no one will see, and its of me, but I will try to see if I can get any type of concelaer which would work!!!! Lol, even now its falred up on my chest, god help me!
Anyway to any more poeple who suffer, its part of you and well I suppose if anyone finds a cure, let us all know :d

I also have the blotchy chest curse. I believe it began when I started having thyroid problems. Does anyone else have thyroid issues?

I have the very same rash. I have only noticed it for the last 4 years and I am now 22. It occurs whenever my body temperature rises in result of being anxious, excited, upset, nervous, or whenever I drink alcohol. It seems to be heat-reactant, or like I said previosly, when my body temp. Rises. I haven't seen a doc. For this as I think it is kind of a petty reason to go to the doctor. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may cause this annoying rash? Otherwise, I am really pretty healthy-but it has crossed my mind that maybe it is a vitamin deficiency of some sort?
Feedback please! Thanks.

I too suffer from this terrible affliction. I tried everything from effexors to lexapro as far as anxiety meds go and none of them worked. I even attempted to use the derma-blend but im a guy so make-up ended up not really being an option. After refusing to have a social life for a few months I finally decided to try beta-blockers, and they worked!!! Everyone should try them, they have saved my life in all honesty!!

I have this as well. It started when I was pregnant with my 1st child & now is happening again (1 1/2 years later). It starts slowly, happening once/month or so, and works up to everyday. I saw a Dr. Last week who suggested an anti-anxiety (anti-depressant). I don't feel this is the right solution for me. For me, the rash happens before I feel anxious - I feel anxious as a result of the rash starting, and panic that it's starting to spread. It starts low on my chest & works its way up my neck. The blotches stay very vivid for at least 30 minutes. It's horribly embarrassing. After my Dr. Appt, I chose to try alternative solutions before following her advice. I've been sleeping more regularly, and have cut my caffeine intake down drastically - I was drinking tons of diet coke's/day before, and I wonder if the caffeine was making my body so stressed. Since cutting out the caffeine, I haven't had the rash, which is amazing, considering it was a daily event before. So, either i'm on the mend & this was the contributor, or my body is adjusting to the caffeine withdrawl, and once adjusted, the rash will begin again....Has anyone else experienced this? This seems like a nice solution, except when I was pregnant, I wasn't drinking any caffeine...Possibly that could be related to hormones? I don't appreciate anyone suggesting it's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's terribly embarrassing when it happens at work, in meetings, and in social situations. This is a forum to help others, not make them feel worse about their situation. I'm a confident, 31 year old professional. Very little rattles my cage, but this is extremely difficult for me. I appreciate any advice from those who have experienced this first hand. Also, if anyone has noticed a connection between stress, sleep, caffeine, etc. Thanks! :d

First of all, i'd like to say that I find most doctor appointments useless. They would rather cover the symtoms, than treat... Or find the cause. I have had hives and rashes on and off my whole life and it is directly related to stress and anxiety. I was selling my house and had people trampling through with dirty shoes, etc. And it was stressful. I couldn't wait to get out of that neighborhood as well. For 3 months I had hives night and day. I mean huge welts. A doctor who was voted "best doctor" and on the cover of san diego magazine, gave me a shot, insisted I ate something, gave me pills, etc. (over several appts.) never even suggesting the mental aspect. This is not new to me with doctors and hives. I sold my house and moved into a place I loved, in 2 days my hives were completely gone. Also, during that time, I took an advil, which I have taken my whole life, and within 15 minutes my whole face, lips and throat swelled up, and I quickly drove myself to the emergency room. The point is, when we are stressed, our immune system is weak, which causes our bodies not to be able to fight the stress/ chemical reactions as we normally would. Therefore causing rashes and ther "unexplainable" symtoms. Now the second part is this: at some point in our lives our bodies learned to respond this way to stress and have continued this way because it's the least path of resistance. Basically it is like a stream or river in that when the water is running down, it will continue to run in that exact same path, until it is completely dried up. Then if the water runs again, it will take a new path, but only after it is completely dried up. And the same with our bodies and the reaction it has learned. We have to retrain it. As you can see, most of these people here have a cycle, they are worried and get the rash, then worried about the rash itself. Truly the only way to stop this is to learn how to relax long enough for the whole process to change. For your body to relearn the chemical reaction in the normal way. Go on a spiritual or holistic retreat, read some meditation books, learn relaxation techniques, etc. Whatever you have to do to really relax inside. It will take discipline to learn and feel this relaxed state. This is the only way to treat this. If you need guidance, go to a homeopathic doctor who will treat you, not your symtoms. Some pills may ease your symtoms, but you will never be rid of the cause. Also, try to think of the time when they started. Most people here remember the age they began. I remember mine started when I was young and lived with my mom. I knew we would fight everyday when she got home and about 20 minutes before she walked in the door, I would have hives all over my back, legs and arms. Now again at age 32, I just started getting this rash on my neck, chest and arms mainly. They come and go but it is surely when I start to feel just a little anxious. It is clear to me that my immune system is weak from stress since I am going through another change in my life, as we all do. So any little stress reaction will be expressed as a rash until I am able to get the stress under control again.

I also recommend that you have a peaceful place where nobody or nothing can bother you, where you can sit and relax at least once per day. Everyone needs this peaceful time alone.



Sincerely,
lisa

Hiya all, I totally understand how you are all feeling and what you are going through, im 19 yrs old and have been suffereing from this problem from about the age of 12. I was carrying on with my friends in class one day and one of them pointed out that id came out in a bright red blotchy rash all over my neck. Now its started to spread to my arms, chest and stomach. People like my mam have tried to tell me to just learn to cope with it and do breathing exercises but when you start feeling anxious or nervous its very hard to just forget about it. I recently tried a foundation by active cosmetics called sheer finish foundation and this totally covered it but now im running out of it and im scared to go back to wearing polor necks again since the weather is getting hotter and my boyfriend will soon start to notice. Someone suggested trying a product called dermablend which im willing to try as I dont wana start taking any tablets as im wary of the side effects. If anyone has any personal experience with dermatrend plz let me know. Also if anyone has any info on where I can buy that active cosmetics sheer finish foundation only in shade 02 ivory beige plz id be ever so greatful if you could let me know. Many thanks and hopes-troubled_teen x

I have this problem as well. It is an allergy to your own adrenaline. The reason why only the neck/chest/face area turns red is that this is where your "leaky" cells are contained and they are reacting to your adrenaline. Hence, it is not a nervous condition, as many of you have correctly stated. It can be precipated by anything that would cause adrenaline, such as laughter and alcohol. Therefore, any advice to simply learn how to calm down is absolutely wrong. There is no permanent solution I have found, though antihistamines seem to alleviate it the most, but unfortunately can make you really sleepy. There is a temporary cure, though. Your doctor can prescribe you a steriod and clarinex which will completely get rid of the problem for about a week. It is only temporary, though. Good luck. I know how horrible it is to have this misunderstood condition. I wish I could suggest a permanent cure. Just please don't spend your time trying to remain calm: the best parts of life are adrenaline inducing.

I knew my mother was mad when her neck got spotty and red! Could it be the result of rising blood pressures? I think it is, although, I don't have any proof either way. It makes sense to me, so maybe the problem could be approached from that angle. I break out in acne. I would trade that great look for a rash. Any takers? Well, that's my comedic stress relief for the day. Laughter has been proven to be a stress reliever. Check out the article in reader's digest, august or sept. 2005 issue. Rash out and read it, acne, I know!!

Hi my name is paul im 39 from uk I have suffered from this nervous rash for a long time and only found a remidy for this by having high blood pressure I had to go for head scans as I was having black outs and the specailist said I should go on 80mg proproponol beta blockers for my anxiety and wow did they help me and now ive calmed down its very rare this rash appearers on my chest,neck,face which knocked my confidence big style at work and when I went drinking with friends and now ive knocked my tablets down to 20mg a day fell great so give them a go good luck anyone wishing to know more please email me cheers all paul signing off :d

I also sometimes get a red blotchy rash on the top of my chest when I am nervous/ hot/ anxious/ embarrassed/ etc. I thought I was basically the only one who got this until now. It can happen anywhere from about once every few months to a few times in one week, its pretty random, and really embarrassing/ awkward when it happens. I get anxiety from worrying about it happening, which of course makes it worse, but it always goes away right after I am complety out of the stressful situation. I finally asked my dermotologist about it the other day, and was so so surprised when not only did he know exactly what I was talking about right away, but he said it was really really common. I guess ppl are just good at hiding it. Basically it has even less to do with stress and being nervous than I thought. The network of capallaries are just closer to the surface than on most people on certain parts of the body, (my chest), and when your heart rate goes up for various reasons, and they dialate, it causes the redness. He said there isn't much you can do about it. My advise is where your hair down take deep breaths, and if you know your going to be in a stressful situation, bring a sweatshirt or something.
Xoxox

I have had the same problem for 10 years. Mainly neck and chest rash. I would say the cause has something to do with stress / anxiety / nerves. Happens to me in meetings or if I feel self consious. Lasts 20 or 30 mins.

However, I can be sat at home, calm as you like and it happens if I have a drink! And then another day it won't happen in exactly the same situation.

It stops me going into some social situations and you feel like the whole world is watching you.

Remedies - I find 30mg or 40mg of beta blockers do the trick. Advantages - it works for me. Disadvantages - they take an hour to kick in and wear off after 5 hours I find. Great if you know you have a set meeting or lunch but no good if something unexpected comes up.

Secondly, a tan in the summer helps no end but not good for you sitting in the sun.

Lastly, this works for me - it has same disadvantages ' advantages as above. When showering direct the warm water over your whole neck for about 7 minutes. I find that it some how calms the skin and when I go out for a meal or drinking the rash nearly always stays away. Effect lasts for hours.

Anyway, good to know I am not the only one out there.

:wink:

i have had this condition since I was about 5. I am 27 now. My mother has the same problem. However, the older she gets the less she breaks out with this. I get this about 5 times a week especially when I drink. I wait and pray that it all "fills in" quickly. I am very fair complected and it is very obvious. I don't know what beta- blockers are can you get them at places like wal-mart or do you need a prescription?

I am sooo glad there are other people out there with the same problem.
I don't feel as though this is just something we need to "get over" there has to be something we can do!

Hi everyone! The same problem here. I also have flushing problems which didnt bother me at all, I just accepted it. This summer though the red blotchy neck thing appeared and it got my attention. I went to a derm and he told me from my symptoms that it is mild rosacea that has spread to my neck and chest :shock: . This was confirmed by another doctor I went to. However where I come from, blushing/flushing is not common and they didnt have any confidence in their sayings.So I went to a derm in switzerland and told me that I suffer from neuro-dermitis. I did a search in the net and found out that this condition is related to itching as well which I dont have. Anyway I was at the point were I started until I found this thread and it is very relieving that im not the only one with this. I ordered dermablend to cover it until I find something helpful. The beta-blockers solution seems very scary to me, I wouldnt risk my health over this (at the time). Someone mentioned clarinex, but as a temporary solution. Why is that? Is its effectiveness reduced in the long term?
Cheers

Hi everyone, I would like to say I know exactly what you're going through. It is the worst feeling in the world. Whenever I get anxious or exctied, or even a little stressed, I break out in this blotchy rash scattered across my chest. It is so embarrasing! The more I think about it, the worse it gets. I don't even want to go in public because of the humiliation. Sometimes when i'm really nervous, or have anxiety, my face and ears get really hot. The only thing that has really worked for me is learning to relax and focus more on being in the moment, rather than what your face or neck is going to do. I find when i'm tanned, this never happens to me. I suggest if you're going to your prom, tan prior to it. It will work wonders! And you will look beautiful. I also use concealer on my chest when I get this rash and it usually helps a little. I'm going to consider using beta blockers, hopefully this will work. Good luck everyone!

I work in the medical field. I don't really want to use the beta blockers. First of all it's a precription, but it is used for people with high blood pressure. It seems pretty dangerous to me. I hope someone will find something over the counter with fewer side effects and less drastic. I have heard that taking a hit of mary jane will prolong the time it takes for the rash to show up once nervousness begins. However, it is illegal and not recommended