Tripping in public, singing in front of strangers, a growling stomach in a silent room, and pushing a door when you're supposed to pull it can be embarrassing moments.
Many people would awkwardly blush and try to pretend it never happened, but for some people, blushing can in itself be an embarrassment to contend with.
Murdoch University researchers in Western Australia say ibuprofen gel could be a cheap and effective way to reduce blushing.
Lead author Peter Drummond said some people worried about blushing because they feared people noticing and thinking less of them, which only made them blush more.
"For some, this fear is so extreme that they avoid social encounters and sometimes even seek surgery to reduce the rush of blood to the cheeks," he said.
During the study, 30 adults were connected to equipment to measure the blood flow in their cheeks.
Ibuprofen gel was rubbed into one cheek and ultrasound gel was rubbed into the other cheek as a control.
Each person then participated in karaoke, singing Gloria Gaynor's iconic hit I Will Survive for five minutes.
To increase their embarrassment, participants were asked to sing louder, be more expressive and sing in tune.
Researchers believe based on other studies that blushing is partly caused by an inflammatory reaction in the blood vessels of the face, brought on by compounds called prostaglandins.
Professor Drummond said the ibuprofen gel helped stop those compounds from forming, and reduced blushing caused by embarrassment and flushing from exercise.
Ibuprofen gel is often used as an anti-inflammatory to treat sprains and swelling, and Professor Drummond said more research was needed to determine whether it was suitable for long-term use to treat blushing.
"We're also looking to test whether ibuprofen tablets, aspirin, paracetamol or even a placebo, can deliver similar results," he said.
