Stress rash: How stress affects the skin

Date: May-26-2017 Most people experience a degree of stress as part of their daily life. The development of rashes on the skin is a common physical symptom of stress that can occur in us all.

In isolation, mild forms of stress have little impact on the body. However, frequent or chronic exposure to stress can trigger adverse side effects.

In this article, we discuss the causes of stress rashes. We also explore how these are identified, treated, and prevented.

Contents of this article:

Effects of stress on the skin

When to seek help

Treatment

Alternative causes

Prevention

Effects of stress on the skin

Stress can play a big or small part in peoples daily lives, but it may also manifest in physical ways as well.

While often thought of as psychological, stress has physical manifestations as well.

One of the places where stress may have an impact is on a person's skin. Stress can affect the skin in a number of ways.

Hives caused by stress

Stress can trigger an outbreak of hives that can make up a stress rash.

Hives are raised, red-colored spots or welts. They vary in size and can occur anywhere on the body.

Areas affected by hives can feel itchy. In some cases, they cause a tingling or burning sensation when touched.

These hives can occur due to a variety of different causes, such as:

cold or heat exposure

infection

certain medications, including antibiotics

The most common cause of hives is an allergen entering the body. For example, an individual with hay fever may develop hives as a result of exposure to pollen.

It is also possible for emotional stress to trigger an outbreak of hives. There can be a number of hormonal or chemical changes that occur in response to stress.

These changes can trigger blood vessels to expand and leak, causing red and swollen patches of skin. The resulting hives can be made worse by:

consumption of alcohol or caffeine

exposure to warm temperatures

Stress may worsen existing skin conditions

Stress can prevent existing skin problems from healing properly. For example, stress can worsen the skin conditions known as psoriasis and eczema.

When to seek help

Hives may cover the entire body and treatment should be sought to ease the irritation.

Stress rashes may be considered acute if they clear up in less than 6 weeks. If they persist for longer, they are deemed to be chronic.

Typically, rashes will clear up after a few days and it is not necessary to seek treatment. Help should be sought if the rashes take longer than this to clear up.

Experiencing an outbreak of hives can be uncomfortable regardless of when it clears up. In such cases, an individual should seek treatment to ease the irritation caused by hives.

Similarly, most stress rashes are fairly mild, but taking action to manage an outbreak is recommended to lessen its impact.

Particularly, a rash may cause feelings of unhappiness. This may amplify an individual's stress and worsen the rash further.

Hives may sometimes cover the entire body or be accompanied by:

skin peeling or blisters

fever

pain

If so, it could indicate a more serious condition or allergy, and a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Treatment

Treatment for a stress rash can usually be done at home, using nonprescription antihistamines. These should help to relieve the itching.

Alternatively, cooling the skin can also relieve itching. This can be achieved by taking a cool bath or using a cold compress.

In more severe cases, a doctor may prescribe a short course of:

stronger antihistamines

steroids

antibiotic tablets

If the rashes continue, a doctor may refer a person to a skin specialist, who will continue to prescribe medication while trying to identify triggers for the hives.

Some people may also find their rashes are related to the development of other conditions, such as angioedema or anaphylaxis. This will affect how the rashes are treated, according to the nature of the complication.

Alternative causes

A rash may have an alternative cause such as eczema, which can appear as red patches.

It maybe that a rash is the result of a factor other than stress, such as:

Heat rash: Exposure to a hot and humid climate can cause heat rashes to develop.

Eczema: This chronic condition can occur at any age. It is characterized by small bumps on the skin that can spread to form dense red patches, known as plaques.

Contact dermatitis: This is caused by an allergen, such as particular soaps or jewellry, coming into contact with the skin.

Pityriasis rosea: This is a common skin condition typified by a large rash often surrounded by smaller bumps or rashes.

Rosacea: Rashes due to rosacea often (but not always) appear on the face and may persist for weeks or months. There is no cure for this condition and rashes can reoccur despite treatment.

Prevention

It is common to experience stress. The best way to prevent stress rashes is to reduce exposure to stress. Unfortunately, this is not always possible.

Certain stressors, causing the stress, may be unavoidable. These include difficult work situations or relationships. However, it is possible to do things that aid a person's ability to deal with stress.

One approach is to work with lifestyle factors to minimize the impact of the stress, by:

engaging in regular exercise

following a healthful, balanced diet

Stress can also be addressed through therapy or relaxation techniques, which are known to be helpful. One such technique is mindfulness meditation.

Eliminating or reducing the impact of stress can be a difficult task. The most effective strategies will vary depending on the nature of the stressor and the individual.

It will not be possible to always prevent stress from taking a toll on the body. In such circumstances, a stress rash may be unavoidable.

Should a stress rash occur, it is important to minimize the discomfort that it causes and prevent the condition from worsening.

Written by Aaron Kandola

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.