Why Do We Blush?

Uh-oh. Your teacher called on you in class, but you don’t know the answer. You can feel your cheeks start to heat up, and you’re sure they’re turning a bright shade of pink.

Why do we blush when we feel embarrassed? Blushing has to do with a hormone called adrenaline (uh-DREH-nuh-lun). When you feel stressed, embarrassed, shy, or in danger, your body releases adrenaline, the hormone responsible for your “fight-or-flight” response.

When adrenaline is released, you might start breathing faster, and your heart will start racing. The blood vessels inside your body will dilate (widen) to help increase blood flow—this is where blushing comes into play. The blood vessels in your cheeks are closer to the surface than those throughout the rest of your body, so your cheeks will get rosy as the blood rushes to your face.

Even though we sometimes get embarrassed or feel shy, we can always feel confident because the same God who made the sun, moon, and stars also made you and me—in his very image (Genesis 1:27)! And he loves us very much.

Do you have a question about God’s Word or his world that you want us to answer? Is there a topic you want to learn more about? Ask your parents to help submit your question today. Watch for our answer here on the blog or in Kids Answers magazine. We’d love to hear from you!