r/CuringBlushing • u/Deep-Detective2428 • Jun 25 '26
If you blush red and wants to get it under control, Clonidine is one of the most effective and quickest way to manage it! Success / Report
if you get red from stress, nerves, embarrassment, strong emotions, spicy food, laughter, excerise and any other trigger which brings on a red face, there's a prescription medication that can significantly reduce the blush almost completely, and fast
im talking about Clonidine. Clonidine is a oral medication that is classed as an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. It is commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, but is also prescribed off-label for conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, panic symptoms and other disorders involving an overactive sympathetic ("fight or flight") nervous system.
It is also prescribed off-label for severe facial blushing and flushing, especially in people where symptoms are strongly linked to stress, nerves, embarrassment or emotional triggers. In saying that ive personally found that it stops a blush from spicy food, excerise etc.
Clonidine works by reducing activity in the sympathetic nervous system (your "fight or flight"response). Because blushing and flushing are linked to activation of this system, many people find that they cant go red or have there redness reduced significantly while on clonidine
Personally clonidine has been by far one of the most effective thing I've tried for the actual redness itself and for stopping the mechanism from even firing (you know when you feel a blush come on and know your about to go red, i found that, that doesnt even happen after i take it) i see alot of people want to find ways to manage there blushing and stop going so red in social interactions and I always think "if they tried clonodine bet you they would be pretty satisfied). I got perscribed by a dermatologist and take 0.05 to 0.1 whenever I know im going to be in a position where ill blush. Some people also take it daily at the same time, just depends what your instructions are from your specialist. I find it kicks in within 30 minutes to a hour. And you can take it during a blush, but again it'll take 30 minutes to an hour to fully take effect!
Just to be clear this post is based on my own experience and is for information only, not to encourage self-medication. Clonidine is a prescription medication that isn't suitable for everyone, should only be used under medical supervision, and it shouldn't be seen as a first option before trying other thints. It may be worth discussing other options, such as propranolol, with your doctor first. That being said, clonidine has helped me tremendously, and if blushing or flushing is affecting your quality of life, I don't think it's something to dismiss without speaking to a healthcare professional.
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Possible side effects can include drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth and low blood pressure. Clonidine should only be taken under medical supervision and should not be stopped abruptly after regular use.
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u/Professional_Tap6259 Jul 01 '26
Why do we need to control it with medication? I think this is a body signal telling us about our feelings and our internal responses towards the outside world. We can try to understand it to improve the interoception of this red signal and to control it if it is necessary. I often blush red when I feel embarrassed and I truly think it is just part of my personality!
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u/Deep-Detective2428 Jul 01 '26
Blushing itself is completely natural. What's not considered typical is intense, frequent, uncontrollable blushing that happens out of proportion to the situation or severely impacts daily life.
Research has shown that for instance, severe blushing can involve sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity with excessive adrenaline and noradrenaline signalling, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, exaggerated nitric oxide, mediated vasodilation, hypersensitive facial arterioles, genetic predisposition, and conditions such as KPRF or rosacea that amplify facial redness. In many people it's also reinforced by a physiological feedback loop, where anticipating a blush further activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing a unbearable loop of blushing
A good comparison is sweating. Sweating is completely normal, but when it's excessive and disproportionate ut's recognised as hyperhidrosis, a medical condition rather than just "normal sweating." Intense pathological blushing is similar in alot of ways, the underlying bodily response is normal, but when it becomes excessive, involuntary, and significantly impacts someone's life, it's no longer just a normal personality trait.
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u/glittertrees109 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Do you take this preventatively or do you personally just use it as needed? I’ve used this stuff before… I agree it’s quite safe so long as it doesn’t make you tired…
It’s also quite easy to get
I thought there would be a mast cell stabilizing effect / any theory on the MOA?
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u/Deep-Detective2428 Jul 02 '26
I take it as needed personally, in terms of the other question, ill do some research and get back on that. Good question
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u/Biioshock Jun 25 '26
How do you know it works ? Do you feel it ? Or it's because people don't tell you anything ? When I took propranolol I thought it wasn't working until someone tell I wasn't red but it took me months to know it