Is the internet the best resource for blushers?

Abstract

Blushing can be a disabling condition that causes sufferers great distress. It causes patients to become socially isolated, frequently being labelled as "shy". Any referral to their condition is embarrassing; even a discussion with a health care professional requires a great deal of courage. Even then, the information from non-specialists is often inaccurate and inadequate and fails to inform patients of the possible treatment options available. In today's era the internet has become an important information medium. This information on almost any subject is widely available to the general public and can be accessed at any time. It is available to blushers and health care professionals alike. It offers a non-embarrassing method of seeking help for an embarrassing condition. It is a medium for specialists to inform sufferers incognito about such a condition. We report our experience from our website: a generalised hyperhidrosis, blushing and sympathectomy information web site (www.sympathectomy.co.uk) by analysing the number of hits and requests for information. We discuss the statistics of internet access to our website including the "hit rate" and enquiry rate. Paradoxically 75% of all enquiries have been from blushers with only 25% coming from patients with hyperhidrosis.A properly designed, accurate and dynamic web site tailored towards users' needs can be used to effectively educate an information hungry but shy group.