Sometimes stress leaves physical marks on us. Experts say stress rashes come in many forms, and finding ways to effectively manage those feelings can benefit our skin.
Dr. Shasa Fu told TODAY.com that she is seeing an increase in young patients coming to her with stress-related issues. skin conditionstress rash, etc.
“It’s really disappointing because they’ve tried many TikTok solutions like elimination diets,” said Hu, an associate professor of dermatology and skin surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “But of course traditional medicine and other approaches are needed to address the underlying problem.”
Can stress cause a rash?
Stress can cause rashes such as hives, and can worsen other rash-like skin conditions, Fu says.
links between stress The skin then returns to the brain’s hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which regulates the body’s response to stress, Dr. Evan Reeder, a board-certified dermatologist and psychiatrist in New York City, told TODAY.com.
As part of its role, the HPA axis controls the release of cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone.” Cortisol also interacts with the immune system, making the skin more susceptible to flare-ups of conditions such as hives, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema.
When it comes to stress rashes, “cortisol activates the entire immune cascade, which causes people to have clinical symptoms,” Dr. Hu says.
What’s more, Rieder explains that when you’re stressed, a combination of factors can affect your skin. For example, if you’re traveling for work, the stress of work may cause you to not get enough sleep, change your eating habits, or even catch a cold along the way. All of these factors can worsen your skin condition.
“When sleep is dysregulated, the entire HPA axis becomes dysregulated, which directly impacts the skin,” Rieder says.
What does a stress rash look like?
When a stress rash appears, hives, they look like itchy raised bumps on the skin and may be red or pink in color. Hives may be a collection of individual bumps, or they may join together to form one large bump.
“Hives develop when blood vessels dilate and become leaky,” Dr. Joshua Zeichner, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, told TODAY.com. “Blood cells leak through the blood vessels and cause these red, itchy, raised welts on the skin.”
Stress-related rashes may also be accompanied by flushing. “People feel shy or stressed, and some people’s blood vessels become more reactive and their face becomes flushed or flushed,” Zeichner says.
Sometimes stress-related rashes can occur in conjunction with another condition called dermatographia (also called dermatographia), Hu says.
To test for dermographia, a dermatologist drags a blunt object, such as a pencil eraser or the tip of a tongue depressor, along an area of skin. This usually leaves a red mark, which disappears within about 10 minutes, he explains Hu. But if someone has dermatographia, she says it can develop into long-term raised marks or hives.
Although dermatitis isn’t harmful, it can be a sign of underlying sensitivity and can make you more likely to develop a stress rash, Fu explains.
How to prevent stress rash:
If stress or anxiety is causing your rash, stress management techniques The job is important to you.
“While we understand that eliminating stress completely is not realistic, we want to be proactive in minimizing stress in our lives as much as possible,” Rieder says.
That may include massage therapy; breathing methodphysical activity, balanced nutritionprioritize quality sleepmeditation, and Practicing Mindfulness Or, experts say, more formal mental health treatment is needed.
parable regular skin care routine This can be part of a consistent, calming mindfulness practice that reduces stress and promotes overall health, Rieder says. “These self-care moments can slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and give you time to rest when you’re under a lot of stress.”
How to treat stress rash:
Stress-reduction techniques can be helpful, but they alone are not a cure for stress rashes, says Fu. Patients usually also require more traditional medical care. And the right way to treat a stress rash depends on which condition you’re dealing with.
If you have hives, over-the-counter antihistamines are usually the first step, says Rieder. Topical steroids can also be used if needed, Hu says. Other conditions such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema may require other specialized treatments.
However, if you can, it’s a good idea to incorporate stress management techniques into your life to prevent stress rash.
Symptoms associated with stress rash:
Stress can cause or worsen many skin conditions, including:
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acne
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rosacea-like dermatitis
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eczema
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psoriasis
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hair removal
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dry skin
“We know that the same hormones that prepare our bodies to deal with stressful environments, those involved in the flight or fight response, stimulate oil glands,” Zeichner says. .
Corticotropin-releasing hormone. It tells the body to release adrenocorticotropic hormone. “Stress hormone” cortisolalso known as oil glands. sebaceous glandhe explains, can occur on the skin and cause breakouts.
Increased stress is associated not only with impaired wound healing, but also with premature aging, skin barrier dysfunction, and dryness, Dr. Ziegner says.
When to see a doctor for stress rash:
At some point, you may need to consult a medical professional to find better ways to manage your stress rash.
“No matter what your rash is, if these symptoms occur repeatedly and are interfering with your quality of life or ability to function socially or occupationally, then it’s time to talk to your doctor.” says Mr. Reeder. .
Your doctor or dermatologist may want to do a skin biopsy or blood test to look for underlying conditions that may be causing your stress rash, Dr. Zeichner says. For example, in rare cases, a rash can be a sign of a more serious immune system problem called mastocytosis, Fu says.Or maybe it is related to lupusadded Zichtner.
Your health care professional may also refer you to mental health counseling to help manage some of your stress. “It could be through cognitive behavioral therapy or relaxation techniques that really help,” Rieder said.
“Rashes happen to everyone, and sometimes they can be explained and sometimes they can’t,” says Zeichner. “However, if your symptoms recur and are interfering with your quality of life, see a board-certified dermatologist.”
This article was first published today.com
