Q.
I am getting married next spring and already I am thinking about the dreadful nervous red rash i get on neck, chest and face. At the weekend, I only had to try on a bridal gown to start it off and it looked terrible!
Now I am concerned that this is going to determine the sort of dress I buy and I'd love to be able to wear a strapless bustier, not something to cover everything up!
My fiance has suggested hypnotherapy but I'm not sure, I need something to make me calm when I am standing there in front of all those people on the day!

Please can you help?

A1. I would certainly try mentioning it to your doctor who should be understanding and be able to recommend ways of coping with stressful situations such as breathing exercises and coping strategies which should help you to manage your nerves and hopefully your rash should become less of a problem. Hypnotherapy works for a large number of people so you could also discuss this with your doctor and ask if they could recommend an alternative practitioner. Herbal and aromatherapy products are also well worth a try - the bach range of flower remedies including the very popular 'bach rescue remedy' are well-known and well respected
(Answered by Clare Coleman)

A2. A red rash like this is actually quite common, so don't worry about it! The irony might be that your worrying about it is actually making it worse! You could go to your GP and ask if there is anything they can do or suggest to help, and they can also check that all is ok. Your fiance's suggestion of complimentary therapies might also work... Hypnotherapy might help, as might other stress relieving therapies, such as massage, reflexology, flower remedies etc. Indeed, flower remedies (such as Bach's) might be useful on
the day. You take a few drops of the tincture on your tongue or in water, and it helps some people with stress etc. It is important to remember that
these therapies will work for some people and not for others.

The flip side of the coin is that your 'rash' might have been brought on by this being 'the' or 'one of the' first times you have seen yourself in a wedding dress. It is a stressful time, very emotional, can make you anxious, all of which can bring many people out in a rash!

Ultimately, remember that your fiance loves you with or without rash! You are getting married because of your love for each other, rather than your ability to have 'perfect' skintone! If you are worried about how a rash might appear in photography, they many professional photographers will be able to digitally manipulate the image to remove any reddening, if you ask
them to.

So you see... there are many possible solutions to this. Please don't worry about it, and have a wonderful, beautiful day.
(Answered by Emma Pirie)



A3. Rest assured this is actually quite common so don't worry. There are a few things you could do to help or at least cover up. How about a wrap
to wear over your shoulders during the ceremony? This is probably the one time you'll be nervous so it would cover up the rash and you could discard it later on when you're feeling calmer. Make-up might be able to cover it too. Go along to a makeup counter in a store and explain your problem and they'll be able to suggest things to help.

Hypnotherapy could actually really help you out - it will be able to keep you calm on the day without having to resort to medication etc that might make you woozy or feel sleep (not what you need on the big day!).

Also, 'Bach's Rescue Remedy' can be use at times when you feel stressed or nervous so that could be worth a try too. For alternative therapists
in your area, check out www.yell.com - look for those who are members of national associations and if you decide to pursue it, choose one who you feel comfortable with. Best of luck, I hope you can wear the dress of your dreams!
(Answered by Tamryn Kirby)



A4. I sympathise totally as I suffer from the same condition. You could have a word with your doctor and see whether he can prescribe you some anti-histamine tablets in the weeks building up to the wedding. The other alternative would be to try and get hold of some make-up which has a green tint, this will counteract the redness. As much as you think you may need it, steer clear from the glasses of champagne on the morning of the wedding, as this is another trigger. You could try some of the Bach Flower Remedies, rescue remedy is great for calming the nerves.

I do remember my wedding and was worried about exactly the same thing, funnily enough it didn't flare up at all, so you never know. Go to your wedding with the attitude that you are going to marry the man you love in front of lots of people who love you and there is nothing to be nervous of. Mind over matter may be the answer.

If the worst comes to the worst and the redness does appear, try not to get too upset about it. By that point there won't be much you can do and I feel sure that you will be the only one aware of it and if anybody does notice, they will just see you as a beautiful blushing bride.
(Answered by Tracey Ellis)

A5. I myself suffer from the nervous rash! There is no cure unless you plaster yourself with make up. However please don't let it worry you, trust me on
the day it will not even enter your mind! It is a part of you. All my family know of my rash (which comes after drinking alcohol, nervousness and
unfortunately for me when I tell lies), they find it endearing and know when
I'm telling a porky!

It did occur during our ceremony but after the reception drinks it disappeared. When I look back at my photos it stands out more in the colour
photos than it does in the black and white, So if you can pin point when you are more likely to be nervous, inform your photographer to use black and white film.

But in both pictures I am happily unaware of the rash, and I wouldn't change it if I could because it is a unique part of us! Hope this helps you
(Answered by Adeline St. John)

A6. My goodness if you go on like this you will never make it to the wedding.

I understand your nerves – having just got married myself, I was more than a little nervous on the day. However it seems to me you may benefit from a visit to a herbalist or a homeopath.

There are many complimentary clinics around, and they offer lots of relaxing remedies including Shiatsu(japanese accupressure massage), Reiki, aromatherapy massage and of course tinctures to help calm the nerves. Why not treat yourself to a regular course of one or a combination of these treatments?

Maybe you need to look at what is causing this outbreak. Perhaps you are taking on too much yourself? Perhaps you are feeling like the wedding is getting too big or outwith your control? Why not get family members to help out - delegate? If this is not an option then consider employing the help of a professional Wedding Consultant to take away the stress. You let them know what needs doing and they go and do it, leaving you to do the lovely bit like being the bride. Net-wedding has a list of some of the best Consultants around, and I sure there is one close to you.
(Answered by Eileen Boyle )

A7. Speaking from experience I used hypnotherapy to get rid of my own wedding
nerves, and it worked a treat, I was really calm walking the aisle. I strongly recommend it to help overcome your fears and enjoy your big day.
(Answered by Toni Henningsohn)

A8. This is quite a common problem, a lot of people when they are excited or nervous get a red rash or blotching.

Hypnotherapy is not for everyone, I would look into it before you decide that is the route you want to take. Also it would need to be with someone you trust, and I would take someone with you that is not susceptible to being hypnotised (just as a safety precaution), that way they would be right beside you watching what is going on and to make sure you are perfectly safe.

There are lots of herbal remedies on the market you could try, these will not do you any harm, remember to read the label before purchase. If you wish to try a few to see which ones work best for you space them out e.g. one product for a few days each month, don't go straight from one product to the other.

Other things you could try are meditation classes or relaxation classes.Both of these methods work in the respect that once you gain experience in relaxing your mind and body, you will then learn your own triggers that bring on nervous attacks, you will then (with the correct teaching) be able to take your mind and body straight into relaxation mode when these nervous periods appear, or even before they appear. Find out more about this. Remember your mind controls your body you have probably heard the saying "mind over matter", that is what this is all about - self control.

If you don't like any of the above then try professional make-up, theatrical make-up, actors often get nervous but we don't see their red rash or blotching because there are professional products out there for this purpose. Or Try a rich coloured fake tan - get this done professionally, as it is tricky to apply correctly.
(Answered by Mrs S)