Blushing propensity and psychological distress in people with rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder, characterized by persistent painful facial flushing and often accompanied by papules and pustules. To evaluate the psychological and social impacts of rosacea, 31 individuals with rosacea filled in the Blushing Propensity Scale, the Fear of Negative Evaluation Questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and the Social Phobia Scale. The questionnaires were also completed by 86 controls. Participants with extensive facial papules and pustules had higher blushing propensity, stress and social phobia scores than controls or others without papules or pustules. Childhood blushing was also reported more frequently by participants with rosacea than controls. Cognitive-behavioural therapy appeared to be helpful for managing social anxiety in three individuals with rosacea with a fear of blushing. These findings suggest that people with severe rosacea are anxious about the social consequences of blushing and generally prefer to avoid situations that might involve scrutiny by others. Persistent facial flushing could prime interoceptive cues of blushing or increase anxiety about facial coloration in provocative situations. Treatments that target fear of blushing may help to reduce social anxiety in people with severe rosacea.

Blushing propensity scores are elevated in people with severe rosacea. Fear of blushing may contribute to social anxiety and avoidance in such cases. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for fear of blushing may help to reduce social anxiety in people with severe rosacea.