Does stress cause itchy skin


What You Can Do When They Happen Together

If you have anxiety and itchy skin, it’s possible that you’re dealing with two distinct issues. It’s also possible that these conditions are closely linked.

Anxiety disorders can cause some people to experience itchy skin and itchy skin conditions can lead to anxiety. One can exacerbate the other.

Each can be effectively treated, but it’s important to determine whether the anxiety and itching are connected. Itching due to anxiety is no less real than itching from other causes, but it may take a different approach to treatment.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States every year. More than 1 in 5 people experience chronic itch at some point in their lifetime.

It’s difficult to know how many people have anxiety-related itching, or psychogenic itch.

Continue reading to learn more about the association between anxiety and itching, and what you can expect of treatment.

Anxiety, especially if it’s chronic, can affect your health in many ways. Anxiety is related to a number of skin problems. Just think about how a brief moment of embarrassment can cause you to blush or how being nervous can make some people break out in hives.

The weight of mental or emotional stress can also lead to some serious itching.

Your brain is always communicating with nerve endings in your skin. When anxiety kicks in, your body’s stress response can go into overdrive. This can affect your nervous system and cause sensory symptoms like burning or itching of the skin, with or without visible signs.

You can experience this sensation anywhere on your skin, including your arms, legs, face, and scalp. You might feel it only intermittently or it could be quite persistent. The itch can happen at the same time as symptoms of anxiety or it can occur separately.

Even if the cause of your itching is anxiety, serious skin problems can develop if you scratch too much or too vigorously. This can leave you with irritated, broken, or bleeding skin. It can also lead to infection. Not only that, but the scratching probably won’t do much to relieve the itch.

On the other hand, the skin condition and relentless itching may have come first, prompting the anxiety.

You may indeed have two unrelated problems — anxiety plus an itch caused by something else entirely. Depending on your specific symptoms, your doctor may want to investigate some other causes of itchy skin, such as:

  • allergic reaction
  • dry skin
  • eczema
  • insect bites and stings
  • psoriasis
  • scabies
  • shingles

Most of these conditions can be identified upon physical examination. Itchy skin can also be a symptom of less visible conditions such as:

  • anemia
  • cancers such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma
  • diabetes
  • kidney failure
  • liver disease
  • multiple sclerosis
  • thyroid problems

That’s why it’s so important to talk to your doctor about:

  • your medical history, including pre-existing conditions, allergies, and medications
  • symptoms of anxiety or depression
  • any other physical symptoms you may have, even if they seem unrelated

This information will help guide the diagnosis.

Treatment depends on the specific causes of anxiety and itching. No matter the cause, unrelenting itching can have a negative impact on your overall quality of life. So, it’s worth seeking treatment.

Aside from your primary care physician, you might benefit from seeing a specialist or perhaps two. A mental health professional can help you learn to manage anxiety, which can alleviate that aggravating itch.

If your skin is seriously affected, you might also need to see a dermatologist.

Psychologists can also help with dermatological problems related to anxiety. This field is called psychodermatology.

Treatment for the itch may include:

  • corticosteroids or other soothing creams or ointments
  • oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a type of antidepressant that may ease chronic itching in some people
  • light therapy sessions may help get itching under control

Here are some things you can do on your own to help relieve itching:

  • Use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer every day.
  • Run a humidifier to help keep your skin moist.
  • Avoid rough clothing, hot baths, harsh sunlight, or anything else that contributes to itchiness.
  • Try over-the-counter products such as corticosteroid cream, calamine lotion, or topical anesthetics.
  • When itching is impossible to ignore, put on some gloves or cover your skin to prevent yourself from scratching.
  • Keep your fingernails trimmed so that if you do scratch, you’re less likely to break the skin.

Since stress can aggravate the itch, you’ll also need to take steps to lower your stress levels. Here are a few things you can try:

  • acupuncture
  • deep breathing exercises
  • meditation
  • yoga

A therapist can provide behavior modification therapy and other strategies to lessen anxiety. It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep every night, and exercise regularly.

Any underlying medical conditions should also be addressed.

Anxiety and itching are both things that can come and go. If they’re fleeting and not causing any major problems, you may not need to see a doctor. If that’s the case, it’s still a good idea to mention it at your next appointment.

If anxiety and itching are interfering with your ability to function or causing visible skin damage or infection, see your primary care doctor as soon as possible. If necessary, you can get a referral to the appropriate specialist.

Untreated, the cycle of anxiety and itching can repeat over and over, ratcheting up your anxiety level. Frequent scratching can also lead to serious skin issues.

Anxiety and itching can be effectively treated, though. It may take some time, but with professional guidance, you can learn to manage anxiety, ultimately resolving the itch.

Regardless of which came first, anxiety and itching can be connected. With a combination of anxiety management and a good skincare routine, you can break the cycle and potentially rid yourself of persistent itch.

What You Can Do When They Happen Together

If you have anxiety and itchy skin, it’s possible that you’re dealing with two distinct issues. It’s also possible that these conditions are closely linked.

Anxiety disorders can cause some people to experience itchy skin and itchy skin conditions can lead to anxiety. One can exacerbate the other.

Each can be effectively treated, but it’s important to determine whether the anxiety and itching are connected. Itching due to anxiety is no less real than itching from other causes, but it may take a different approach to treatment.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States every year. More than 1 in 5 people experience chronic itch at some point in their lifetime.

It’s difficult to know how many people have anxiety-related itching, or psychogenic itch.

Continue reading to learn more about the association between anxiety and itching, and what you can expect of treatment.

Anxiety, especially if it’s chronic, can affect your health in many ways. Anxiety is related to a number of skin problems. Just think about how a brief moment of embarrassment can cause you to blush or how being nervous can make some people break out in hives.

The weight of mental or emotional stress can also lead to some serious itching.

Your brain is always communicating with nerve endings in your skin. When anxiety kicks in, your body’s stress response can go into overdrive. This can affect your nervous system and cause sensory symptoms like burning or itching of the skin, with or without visible signs.

You can experience this sensation anywhere on your skin, including your arms, legs, face, and scalp. You might feel it only intermittently or it could be quite persistent. The itch can happen at the same time as symptoms of anxiety or it can occur separately.

Even if the cause of your itching is anxiety, serious skin problems can develop if you scratch too much or too vigorously. This can leave you with irritated, broken, or bleeding skin. It can also lead to infection. Not only that, but the scratching probably won’t do much to relieve the itch.

On the other hand, the skin condition and relentless itching may have come first, prompting the anxiety.

You may indeed have two unrelated problems — anxiety plus an itch caused by something else entirely. Depending on your specific symptoms, your doctor may want to investigate some other causes of itchy skin, such as:

  • allergic reaction
  • dry skin
  • eczema
  • insect bites and stings
  • psoriasis
  • scabies
  • shingles

Most of these conditions can be identified upon physical examination. Itchy skin can also be a symptom of less visible conditions such as:

  • anemia
  • cancers such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma
  • diabetes
  • kidney failure
  • liver disease
  • multiple sclerosis
  • thyroid problems

That’s why it’s so important to talk to your doctor about:

  • your medical history, including pre-existing conditions, allergies, and medications
  • symptoms of anxiety or depression
  • any other physical symptoms you may have, even if they seem unrelated

This information will help guide the diagnosis.

Treatment depends on the specific causes of anxiety and itching. No matter the cause, unrelenting itching can have a negative impact on your overall quality of life. So, it’s worth seeking treatment.

Aside from your primary care physician, you might benefit from seeing a specialist or perhaps two. A mental health professional can help you learn to manage anxiety, which can alleviate that aggravating itch.

If your skin is seriously affected, you might also need to see a dermatologist.

Psychologists can also help with dermatological problems related to anxiety. This field is called psychodermatology.

Treatment for the itch may include:

  • corticosteroids or other soothing creams or ointments
  • oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a type of antidepressant that may ease chronic itching in some people
  • light therapy sessions may help get itching under control

Here are some things you can do on your own to help relieve itching:

  • Use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer every day.
  • Run a humidifier to help keep your skin moist.
  • Avoid rough clothing, hot baths, harsh sunlight, or anything else that contributes to itchiness.
  • Try over-the-counter products such as corticosteroid cream, calamine lotion, or topical anesthetics.
  • When itching is impossible to ignore, put on some gloves or cover your skin to prevent yourself from scratching.
  • Keep your fingernails trimmed so that if you do scratch, you’re less likely to break the skin.

Since stress can aggravate the itch, you’ll also need to take steps to lower your stress levels. Here are a few things you can try:

  • acupuncture
  • deep breathing exercises
  • meditation
  • yoga

A therapist can provide behavior modification therapy and other strategies to lessen anxiety. It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep every night, and exercise regularly.

Any underlying medical conditions should also be addressed.

Anxiety and itching are both things that can come and go. If they’re fleeting and not causing any major problems, you may not need to see a doctor. If that’s the case, it’s still a good idea to mention it at your next appointment.

If anxiety and itching are interfering with your ability to function or causing visible skin damage or infection, see your primary care doctor as soon as possible. If necessary, you can get a referral to the appropriate specialist.

Untreated, the cycle of anxiety and itching can repeat over and over, ratcheting up your anxiety level. Frequent scratching can also lead to serious skin issues.

Anxiety and itching can be effectively treated, though. It may take some time, but with professional guidance, you can learn to manage anxiety, ultimately resolving the itch.

Regardless of which came first, anxiety and itching can be connected. With a combination of anxiety management and a good skincare routine, you can break the cycle and potentially rid yourself of persistent itch.

Skin itching: causes, skin diseases, allergies, diseases of internal organs and systems

The very word "itch" already causes a reaction in the body. Are your hands reaching out to scratch some part of your body, or are you just fidgeting in your chair now? This is a natural response to the signals our brain sends. There are nerve endings on the skin all over our body. It is they who, through the spinal cord, transmit information to our brain about the presence of an irritant to which it is necessary to respond.

For example, the usual reaction, when a fly lands on us to warm itself or a mosquito intending to drink our blood, is to immediately drive off the insect and scratch or rub the area of ​​​​the skin where it was located. This is how our neural connections work. But as for itching - a sensation that occurs in the body and causes itching - it is believed that there are no specific receptors that perceive it. Our nervous system encodes different combinations of excitation of skin receptors as an itch sensation. Therefore, it is worth recognizing that this phenomenon has not yet been fully studied.

What itching is like

If we return to the example with insects, then if the mosquito still managed to drink our blood, then for some time the bite site on the body may want to be combed. This type of itching is called localized . It is caused mainly by biting or crawling insects on the body. But also this type includes anal itching (itching in the anus), vulvar itching (itching in the vagina) and itching of the scalp, indicating various diseases. It often has a paroxysmal character.

Generalized pruritus can also be a symptom or consequence of certain diseases and conditions. Itching of the skin can have varying degrees of intensity, and create serious discomfort for a person. This type of itching can be permanent. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist.

Should I make an appointment with a dermatologist right away?

Of course, you shouldn't panic. But, of course, you should listen to your body and consult a doctor in cases where skin itching:

  • worried for more than 14 days;
  • causes discomfort and insomnia;
  • occurs throughout the body or is localized in separate areas;
  • is supplemented by other symptoms, such as: a sharp decrease in weight, loss of strength, a change in the nature of stool and urine, and others.


These conditions will be enough to contact a dermatologist and get a timely consultation, if necessary, a referral for a laboratory examination, and further treatment based on the results of the diagnosis.

Causes of itchy skin

Let's take a closer look at the causes that can cause itchy skin.

Diseases of internal organs and systems

1. Diseases of the liver and biliary tract

Often pruritus accompanies such diseases of the liver and biliary tract as cholestasis - in 80-100 percent of cases, with cholelithiasis, less often with Gilbert's syndrome. Also, about 10 percent of patients with cirrhosis of the liver suffer from itching due to the accumulation of toxic bile acids in the blood, 20 - chronic hepatitis, up to 3 percent - pancreatic cancer.

Physician may prescribe Program 114 Liver tests, Bacteriological culture + bile antibiogram, Gilbert's Syndrome, Non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia familial/toxicity, Program 164 Check for hepatitis A, B and C, Fibromax and Fibrotest biochemistry to assess liver fibrosis . In autoimmune lesions - Anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) - screening, Anti-soluble liver antigen antibodies (anti-SLA) - qualitative, Antibodies to liver and kidney microsomes, ANTI-LKM - screening, Anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA-M2).

2. Kidney disease

Patients diagnosed with uremia (kidney failure), especially in the last stage of the disease and receiving maintenance hemodialysis, experience pruritus in 77 percent of cases. By prescribing dialysis, the doctor helps to minimize its intensity until it disappears.

Your doctor may order Program 115 Kidney Tests, Cystatin C with GCF.

3. Diseases of the thyroid gland

During the course of treatment with diffuse toxic goiter, patients may develop itching.

The doctor may prescribe Program 136 "Hyperthyroidism Diagnosis".

4. Diabetes mellitus

The cause of itching in the genital area is candidiasis, progressing against the background of elevated blood glucose levels. Itching of the scalp can occur with diabetic neuropathy.

Your doctor may prescribe Program 148 Prevent Diabetes and Associated Risks.

5. Hematological diseases

Approximately 50 percent of those diagnosed with polycythemia vera suffer from itching, which is even more pronounced when exposed to hot water. In 30 percent of patients with lymphogranulomatosis, itching begins in the region of the lower extremities and, as the disease develops, spreads over the entire surface of the body. It can also manifest itself with iron deficiency anemia, mastocytosis, paraproteinemia, lymphocytic leukemia. Often, with hematological diseases, itching is the first signal of the disease.

The doctor may prescribe a complete blood count (automatic hematology analyzer: 33 readings), Protein fractions, Program 175 "Determine the cause of anemia".

6. HIV

People with HIV often suffer from pruritus, but in 92 percent of cases it is provoked by co-infections due to suppressed immunity.

The doctor may prescribe HIV 1/1o/2, serological diagnosis with confirmation (antigen and antibodies).

7. Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system

In the case of multiple sclerosis, pruritus may have the character of sudden attacks. After suffering a cerebral hemorrhage, it occurs on the other side of the damaged area of ​​the brain. Sometimes manifestations of paresthesia are taken for itching - a sensitivity disorder in which burning sensations, sensations of insects crawling on the skin, etc. can occur. Paresthesias accompany many nervous diseases.

Physician may prescribe Anti-myelin antibody screening (MAG, SGPG, SGLPG) - semi-quantitative.

Skin diseases

1. Psoriasis

In the case of a rapid development of the disease, itching disturbs the patient on the parts of the body affected by psoriasis, accompanied by severe peeling of the skin. The causes can be stress, all sorts of emotional upheavals, disruptions in the endocrine system. The disease is characterized by red, very dry spots on the skin, which subsequently merge into one, forming plaques. When combing the affected areas, wounds are formed that do not heal for a long time.

2. Eczema

Itching does not always accompany the course of the disease. Eczema in 20-30% of cases affects people subject to allergic reactions to foods or drugs, but there are other causes. Seborrheic eczema is caused by yeast-like fungi, and it manifests itself in areas of the body with high activity of the sebaceous glands, accompanied by itching.

Atopic eczema, accompanied by pruritus, most often begins at an early age and appears as a result of an allergic reaction. Relapse may also occur at a more mature age. In children, it is mainly manifested by redness on the cheeks, and in adults - on the elbows, knees and wrists.

Contact eczema is different in that it is more localized - spots on the body are located at the site of contact with the allergen, where itching occurs.

Eczema has the appearance of a spot, in place of which bubbles appear, which subsequently open up and turn into crusts.

Parasites, bacteria, viruses

1. Helminthiasis

Helminthiasis is caused by parasitic helminth worms. You can get infected if you do not follow the rules of hygiene - do not wash your hands before eating or vegetables and fruits before eating, drink tap water, etc. Patients with helminthiasis can be very disturbed by itching of the anus.

The doctor may prescribe a Fecal test for helminth eggs, Enterobiasis, Giardiasis, Ascariasis, Giardiasis, general antibodies, Toxocariasis, Opisthorchiasis, Echinococcosis, Trichinosis.

2. Scabies

The scabies mite can bring a lot of problems with it. The characteristic features of scabies are a rash and itching all over the body. When scratching, secondary pustules may occur due to infection in this way.

3. Demodicosis

The cause of itching in this disease is iron mites that affect the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the patient.

Your doctor may prescribe Demodicosis, Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis.

4. Pediculosis

The disease is caused by such parasites as head, body and pubic lice. At the site of parasite bites on the body, itching occurs on the skin. When combing the affected areas, pustules may also occur due to infection.

5. Pulicosis

Pulicosis is caused by human flea bites. An itchy rash appears on the affected area of ​​​​the skin, and the site of the parasite bite itself swells. In addition to the discomfort that itching causes, the human flea can also carry many pathogens of dangerous diseases.

6. Streptoderma

Streptococcal impetigo, a type of superficial streptoderma, is caused by staphylococci and streptococci. Bacteria penetrate the skin in the presence of even minor damage to the epidermis. As a result of infection, a rash and itching appear on the surface of the body.

7. Folliculitis

Often, folliculitis - inflammation of the hair follicle - appears due to a mixed strepto-staphylococcal infection or due to ignoring the rules of personal hygiene, excessive sweating, rubbing the skin on clothes. Itching occurs in the area of ​​the affected follicles.

The doctor may prescribe a bacteriological culture + an antibiogram of the material from the wound.

8. Herpes

Infection with the virus is manifested by a rash on the skin and mucous membranes. It has several types that cause different diseases, including simple, genital herpes, chicken pox, shingles and others. Most of the above ailments accompany skin itching, burning and cause severe discomfort to the patient. It may also occur in postherpetic neuralgia.

A doctor may prescribe Herpes simplex, Herpes simplex, antibodies to IgG types 1/2, Herpes simplex, Herpes simplex, antibodies to IgM types 1/2, Herpes simplex, Herpes simplex, antibodies to IgG type 2, Herpes, Human herpesvirus, antibodies to type 8 IgG, Herpes simplex Herpes simplex, types 1/2, DNA by REAL TIME PCR - quality, Herpes, Human herpesvirus, type 6, DNA by REAL TIME PCR - quantities, Herpes simplex Herpes simplex, types 1/2, DNA by REAL TIME PCR - quality.

Allergies and urticaria

One of the most common causes of urticaria is a reaction to an allergen. As an allergen, there can be both medicinal substances, food products, insect allergens, and exposure to such factors, low and high temperatures, etc.

drugs; food products, such as specific Ig E to berries, citrus fruits, eggs, fish, etc.

The doctor may order appropriate tests for the diagnosis of food allergies and the diagnosis of drug allergies.

Dry skin

Due to hard water in combination with ordinary soap, insufficient rehydration of the body, the skin becomes dry, flaky, and therefore itching may appear. In this case, to get rid of itching, you need to regularly moisturize the skin and drink more fluids.

The problem of dry skin is also common among older people, when the sebaceous and sweat glands are no longer active. In this case, we are dealing with senile, or senile, itching.

Vitamin and mineral deficiency

The skin needs to be nourished not only with water and cosmetics, but also with useful vitamins and minerals. With beriberi, the skin dries out, which can cause itching. By compensating for the lack of vitamins A, B, C, D, iron and zinc, you can not only get rid of the problem of peeling and itching, but also acne.

The doctor may prescribe tests Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), Vitamin D (25-hydroxycalciferol), Vitamin D3 (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol), tests from the panel Trace elements, Iron, Zinc (blood serum, daily urine, hair), Folic acid.

Psychogenic itching

In connection with such conditions as stress, emotional upheaval, overwork, nervous depression, itching may occur. Also, this form of itching can be attributed to the fact that after reading the article you want to scratch.

Pregnancy

For various reasons, many pregnant women face the problem of itching almost from the first weeks. In some cases, this may be due to hormones, in some cases, it may be due to skin stretching or allergens.

Skin restoration

Skin healing after cosmetic procedures, burns can indeed be accompanied by itching due to increased blood circulation in the area of ​​the body.

Menopause

The restructuring period of a woman's body during menopause affects hormones that can affect the appearance of skin itching, mainly in intimate areas.

Conclusions

As you can see, itching can be caused by many reasons: viruses, parasites, allergies, concomitant diseases, etc. In order to identify the cause, you will need to consult a dermatologist.

Well, for prevention and in order not to face this problem, we can distinguish a few simple rules:

  • At least once a year, undergo a complete examination of the body.
  • Timely treat skin diseases, infectious, fungal, liver, kidney, etc.
  • In case of allergy, avoid contact with the irritant.
  • Observe the rules of personal hygiene.
  • Avoid stress, try to get enough sleep and enjoy every day.
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
  • Moisturize skin regularly.

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Everything from the nerves: 5 skin problems caused by stress

The skin is a mirror of our body. All the processes that take place inside us are reflected in it. The skin and nervous system originate from the same germ layer, so these two systems are closely interconnected with each other.

How stress affects the skin

We all experience stress from time to time. How does it affect the skin? Stress is an adaptive reaction of the body to certain factors (positive and negative), leading to a change in the functioning of all organs and systems. The skin is also involved in this process. Depending on the duration and intensity of stress, she will react in one way or another. Positive stress is accompanied by the production of the hormone oxytocin, which provides good nutrition and hydration of the skin. It is said that the skin "shines", that is, it has a pleasant pink tint, looks more elastic and fresh. With negative stress, the stress hormone (more precisely, the hormone of survival) adrenaline works. It is designed for immediate response. Adrenaline is produced very quickly, but acts for a short time. It causes vasoconstriction and blood flow to vital organs and systems. And, alas, the skin is not a priority in this situation.

“Let's consider the skin as a thin layer between the inner and outer,” says Ksenia Stasiuk, dermatovenereologist, cosmetologist, specialist in laser techniques at the DEKA MEDICAL medical center. - The skin performs a protective function, becomes a barrier - emotional and actual. It is this barrier - our bodily and psychological boundaries - that stress factors most often influence. Various skin conditions accompanied by acne, rosacea, allergic dermatosis, premature aging, objectively have one of the reasons - a long stay in a state of emotional overstrain.

In the photo: Ksenia Stasyuk, dermatovenereologist, cosmetologist, specialist in laser techniques at the DEKA MEDICAL medical center.

Couperose

Long-term tension of adaptation mechanisms activates another hormone - cortisol, which is already aimed at adapting the body to stress. This hormone leads to a prolonged expansion of small vessels, which causes an increase in their permeability. Subsequently, this can become the basis for the formation of such a condition as rosacea with the formation of telangiectasias - there is a constant reddening of the face, increased sensitivity of the skin, an abundance of superficially located tortuous small vessels. This problem requires complex therapy, including the treatment of pathological vessels. For this purpose, laser and phototherapy are used.

Dehydration and dryness

If your normal skin suddenly becomes dry, dehydrated and tight, it may not be due to proper care, but to lifestyle: do you have many reasons to worry? The epidermis, the continuously renewing top layer of the skin, called the horny layer, contains proteins and lipids that maintain an optimal level of moisture in the cells. It also acts as a barrier that reliably protects its deeper layers. Stress disrupts the protective function of the stratum corneum and can negatively affect the hydration of the skin, causing it to become dehydrated and dry.

Oiliness and acne formation

Under the influence of stress, the skin can become more oily, covered with pimples - from quite well, turn into problematic. The reason for this is the same stress hormone cortisol, which provokes excessive secretion of sebum from the glands. Excessive production of fat by these glands leads to increased oiliness of the skin.

Stress is often accompanied by acne. Exacerbation of acne does not have a direct relationship with hormonal changes in the body against the background of stress. However, when stressed, cravings for sweets appear - the result of an increase in cortisol and a desire for compensatory receipt of pleasant emotions. Along with this, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the endocrine system, etc., can make themselves felt. And the stressful change in hormonal levels itself will adversely affect the condition of the skin, activating not only the work of the sebaceous glands, but also worsening the quality of the hydro-lipid mantle, reducing activity protective functions of the skin. There may be an obsessive desire to touch and squeeze out inflammatory elements. All this leads to an exacerbation of acne.

Wrinkle formation

It has been observed that people living under conditions of chronic stress look older than their biological age. Their skin quickly loses its tone and becomes covered with a network of wrinkles. Nervous tension causes a number of negative changes in skin proteins, reducing its elasticity. Under the influence of stress hormones, enzymes are activated that destroy collagen and elastin. This loss of elasticity can contribute to the premature formation of wrinkles and folds in the skin. For example, sleep deprivation stress exacerbates signs of aging, such as fine lines, pigmentation, and under-eye bags. Under conditions of chronic stress, the production of sex hormones - estrogens and testosterone, which largely determines the youthfulness of the skin, also prematurely decreases.

Skin itching and dermatoses

Emotionally unstable people often complain that their skin itches. Under stress, substances are produced in the brain that act on the nerve cells of the skin. The level of active histamine rises, which causes an allergic reaction, manifested as itching. At the same time, the production of hormones of the adrenal cortex, which are responsible for the anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, decreases. As a result, it turns red and itches. This "itch" on the nerves has a number of features. As a rule, we experience a strong desire to scratch during a stressful situation or some time after it. Itching can also accompany prolonged depression. Itchy hands, scalp, but other parts of the body may itch. Rash usually does not occur.

Against the background of prolonged stressful situations, dermatoses are exacerbated, accompanied by itching. One of the most common stress-related problems is seborrheic dermatitis, which is characterized by itchy scalp and dandruff. This disease is not as harmless as it seems at first glance. As a rule, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract occur or worsen in parallel, certain problems with sleep may occur. Long-term seborrheic dermatitis is accompanied by increased hair loss. The disease requires not only care for the scalp, but also adherence to the correct diet, regimen, and treatment of foci of inflammation. With a tendency to psychosomatic conditions against the background of existing chronic somatic diseases, urticaria may develop. These are specific rashes (like nettle burns) on the neck, chest, back, less often the face, accompanied by itching. This condition requires a comprehensive examination and treatment.

How to tell if stress is the cause

To understand if skin problems are caused by stress, Ksenia Stasiuk recommends asking yourself a few questions, paying attention to how you have been feeling over the past week.

  • During the last week, did you have difficulty falling asleep or did you wake up frequently?
  • Was there excessive sweating of the hands and/or feet?
  • Have you had any episodes of palpitations?
  • Do you swallow or forget to eat?
  • Do you have digestive problems: pain, colic, upset or constipation?
  • Have you noticed that you clench your teeth tightly in certain situations?
  • Do you suffer from physical ailments (powerlessness, muscle tension, back pain)?
  • Feeling emotionally disturbed?
  • Do you look tired (bags or circles under your eyes)?
  • Do you frequently touch your face uncontrollably?

“With a positive answer to more than half of the questions, it is likely that problems with the body are caused by the influence of stress factors,” says Ksenia Stasyuk. Help yourself deal with the situation. A short rest, a cozy atmosphere with loved ones, a quiet pastime, listening to your favorite music, a session with a psychologist - choose what is closer to you and really brings emotional comfort.

How to restore the skin

First of all, adjust your lifestyle: adjust your daily routine, minimize psychological stress, have a good rest. Nervous tension and stress are well relieved by yoga, meditation, breathing exercises. You will find a lot of useful information about relaxation on our website.

Get enough sleep. Seven to eight is the optimal amount of sleep that will relieve the skin of signs of stress.

Sedatives, including herbal decoctions (motherwort, valerian, lemon balm, peony), warm baths with lavender, sage, chamomile, oak bark, soda, hydrocortisone ointments and anti-allergic creams will help soothe nervous itching.

Adequate care is also important. To cleanse the skin, including oily, use only delicate products. Avoid harsh scrubs and peels. Tone skin after cleansing to restore pH. Intense hydration is a must. Include antioxidant products in your regular skin care routine. They protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals generated by stress and help it recover. Irritation will be removed by means with soothing components: bisabolol, beneficial fatty acids, thermal water, neurosensin peptide, panthenol.

In the photo: Alginate Mask for Persons, Smorodina

In the photo: Moisturizer serum, BioDERMA

on photo Mask Prootocol 902, Directalab

In the photo: lifting face mask LIFT INTEGRAL, LIERAC

In the photo: skin care set Your Skin, MIXIT

dermatologist, says Ksenia Stasyuk. – The doctor will provide a comprehensive approach to treatment, conduct a detailed analysis of the causes of the disease, and prescribe the necessary drugs. In the choice of cosmetic procedures, preference is given to gentle methods.


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