Monday, 23 March 2015
Understanding Stress Related Skin Conditions
One inescapable factor that is the underlying reason for many diseases and health problems is stress. Stress could be a major factor for the onset or escalation of a disease. While many of us may know that stress can lead to internal problems, did you know that it can also be a reason for skin problems? Let’s find out more about this.
Understanding How Stress Affects the Skin
When your body is undergoing immense stress, or encounters a dangerous situation, the brain’s hypothalamus sets off the body’s alarm system. The system communicates to the adrenal glands to release different types of stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and epinephrine. Adrenaline elevates your heart rate, blood pressure, and the body’s energy. Cortisol increases glucose in the bloodstream and the brain begins using more glucose. Such stress hormones affect the nerve endings that are located around the skin, and can irritate the skin causing certain reactions like pimples or acne.
Why is this Important?
Most of us can say that this is a natural process that need not be given too much importance. However, skin conditions can be taken as a sign that the body is undergoing turmoil, and the problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Examples of these can be anxiety, hypertension, digestive problems, heart disease, and even depression. Also, with many parts of society focusing on the appearance of people, skin conditions caused by stress can lead to social ridicule.
Types of Skin Conditions caused by Stress
As mentioned above, stress can result in the body exhibiting a variety of skin conditions. The list below highlights a few simple and complex conditions:
• Sty: This is a simple example where the stress hormones create excess heat in the body, leading to the growth of a boil on the edge of the eyelid.
• Vitiligo: A traumatic event, such as a death in the family, or supporting a loved one in critical care, can create a fear response in the body, which may lead to vitiligo. Stress can destroy the pigments under the skin, which leads to large white patches and even sunburn.
• Eczema: While stress may not cause this condition, it can worsen the symptoms to a great extent. When the body is stressed, it causes a self-defense mechanism to take place within the body. In the case of eczema, this leads to skin inflammation, which aggravates the condition.
• Shingles: Also known as herpes zoster, this is a blistering skin rash that affects one side of the face or torso. Shingles is generally caused due to a weak immune system. Immense psychological stress can lead to shingle outbreaks in young adults and elderly people.
• Psoriasis: There is an interrelationship between stress and psoriasis. Stress can be a major cause for the condition, while psoriasis can lead to more stress. It is also known to worsen the condition.
• Pityriasis Rosea: A skin rash that lasts for about six to eight weeks, pityriasis rosea can be aggravated with the onset of stress. Stress can also add to the other symptoms that are experienced with this rash, such as flu, sore throat, nausea, fatigue, aching, and decreased appetite.
How to Prevent Stress Related Skin Conditions
Treatments for stress related skin conditions can vary between topical treatments and alternative therapies. It would be advisable to undergo both treatments simultaneously to ensure complete and faster recovery.
• Topical Treatments: This treatment type includes using skincare products with organic compounds.
• Alternative Therapies: The following therapies help rid the body of stress, and thus alleviate one of the primary causes of a skin condition:
Skin conditions can become recurring problems if left unchecked. Understanding how stress can affect skin diseases can help you make quick and smart decisions in terms of treatment, and thus, maintain your health.
Understanding How Stress Affects the Skin
When your body is undergoing immense stress, or encounters a dangerous situation, the brain’s hypothalamus sets off the body’s alarm system. The system communicates to the adrenal glands to release different types of stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and epinephrine. Adrenaline elevates your heart rate, blood pressure, and the body’s energy. Cortisol increases glucose in the bloodstream and the brain begins using more glucose. Such stress hormones affect the nerve endings that are located around the skin, and can irritate the skin causing certain reactions like pimples or acne.
Why is this Important?
Most of us can say that this is a natural process that need not be given too much importance. However, skin conditions can be taken as a sign that the body is undergoing turmoil, and the problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Examples of these can be anxiety, hypertension, digestive problems, heart disease, and even depression. Also, with many parts of society focusing on the appearance of people, skin conditions caused by stress can lead to social ridicule.
Types of Skin Conditions caused by Stress
As mentioned above, stress can result in the body exhibiting a variety of skin conditions. The list below highlights a few simple and complex conditions:
• Sty: This is a simple example where the stress hormones create excess heat in the body, leading to the growth of a boil on the edge of the eyelid.
• Vitiligo: A traumatic event, such as a death in the family, or supporting a loved one in critical care, can create a fear response in the body, which may lead to vitiligo. Stress can destroy the pigments under the skin, which leads to large white patches and even sunburn.
• Eczema: While stress may not cause this condition, it can worsen the symptoms to a great extent. When the body is stressed, it causes a self-defense mechanism to take place within the body. In the case of eczema, this leads to skin inflammation, which aggravates the condition.
• Shingles: Also known as herpes zoster, this is a blistering skin rash that affects one side of the face or torso. Shingles is generally caused due to a weak immune system. Immense psychological stress can lead to shingle outbreaks in young adults and elderly people.
• Psoriasis: There is an interrelationship between stress and psoriasis. Stress can be a major cause for the condition, while psoriasis can lead to more stress. It is also known to worsen the condition.
• Pityriasis Rosea: A skin rash that lasts for about six to eight weeks, pityriasis rosea can be aggravated with the onset of stress. Stress can also add to the other symptoms that are experienced with this rash, such as flu, sore throat, nausea, fatigue, aching, and decreased appetite.
How to Prevent Stress Related Skin Conditions
Treatments for stress related skin conditions can vary between topical treatments and alternative therapies. It would be advisable to undergo both treatments simultaneously to ensure complete and faster recovery.
• Topical Treatments: This treatment type includes using skincare products with organic compounds.
- Benzoyl peroxide: This organic compound is used in creams and ointments to treat acne. Retinoids are another compound designed for acne treatments.
- Corticosteroids: A compound used to treat eczema, corticosteroids is available in many forms including foams, creams, lotions, and ointments.
- Salicylic acid: This drug is an active ingredient in many skin care products for the treatment of warts and rashes.
• Alternative Therapies: The following therapies help rid the body of stress, and thus alleviate one of the primary causes of a skin condition:
- Relaxation Training: This comprises any technique, process, or procedure that can help reduce the stress levels of the patient. Examples of these are yoga, QiGong, pranayama, and Tai Chi.
- Massage Therapy: Getting massages at regular intervals can help the body and mind maintain a de-stressed state. Reduced stress levels can help enhance the dissipation speed of a skin condition.
- Habit Reversal Training: Many times, regular outbursts of skin conditions can result in the patient picking and scratching the skin. If left unchecked, this can become a negative routine. Habit reversal training is designed to treat and impede any behavioral disorder that is a result of a skin condition.
Skin conditions can become recurring problems if left unchecked. Understanding how stress can affect skin diseases can help you make quick and smart decisions in terms of treatment, and thus, maintain your health.
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