Is your stress linked to eczema flare-ups?

April is National Stress Awareness Month. Chronic stress could be debilitating and affect all features of your life, including your skin health. Anxiety and stress are common triggers for eczema flare-ups. A recent study by the National Eczema Association found that greater than 30% of individuals with atopic dermatitis have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. When we experience stressful situations, our bodies tend to go into fight or flight mode and respond by increasing the production of stress hormones akin to adrenaline and cortisol. When the body produces an excessive amount of cortisol, it may well weaken the immune system and trigger an inflammatory response within the skin.

Unfortunately, according to a survey conducted by the corporate, 27% said that they’re so stressed many of the day that they can not function American Psychological Association. According to Dija Ayodele – esthetician, founding father of Black Skin Directory and writer of Black Skin, The Definitive Skincare Guide, when the body is subjected to short-term or long-term stress, the fight or flight hormone – cortisol – is released. Large amounts of it may well suppress the immune system, leading to increased inflammation. This condition can worsen and weaken the skin barrier in individuals who already suffer from eczema or are prone to flare-ups. When the skin barrier becomes weakened, the skin is susceptible to greater irritation and sensitivity.

According to Dr. Patricia Oyetakin, mental stress affects the skin’s immune system, causing inflammation and disrupting the skin’s protective barrier function. “Studies have shown more intense itching in eczema patients who’ve been reported to have anxiety and depression. It tells us that stress also slows the healing of wounds on the skin, making it tougher for minor cuts (scratches) to heal.

Oyetakin continues: “We can all attest to the negative effects of stress on sleep quality. Studies have shown that chronic lack of sleep leads to moisture loss and damage to the skin’s protective barrier. For eczema patients, this is usually a frustrating cause for more flare-ups. Managing stress is not easy as of late, and I try to avoid telling my patients to “manage your stress.”

He believes that telling people to practice stress management is insensitive, considering many individuals experience chronic stress. “This is tone-deaf advice given the multitude of the explanation why people struggle with anxiety and depression today. Instead, I offer more practical advice: exercise, a healthy eating regimen, and limiting screen time. We all know that they’ve a positive effect on our mood. When you’re feeling higher, you’re more motivated to care for your skin and seek treatment options,” Oyetakin states.

What is eczema?
According to the National Eczema Association, eczema (e.g. -zuh-MUH) is the name for a gaggle of inflammatory skin diseases that cause itchy, dry skin, rashes, scaly patches, blisters and skin infections. There are literally seven various kinds of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, eczema numerica, seborrheic dermatitis and stasis dermatitis. More than 31 million Americans suffer from some type of eczema.

Ayodele believes that eczema causes dry and itchy skin, which may negatively impact our lifestyle. “We undergo periods of poor nutrition, poor sleep, higher anxiety levels and low energy, which inadvertently causes more stress. This creates a vicious circle that may create an eczema loop. People exposed to long-term stress take longer to heal from inflammatory skin conditions akin to eczema because their skin is weaker and more vulnerable to damage. Another vicious circle is created if stress is just not nipped within the bud,” says ESSENCE.

He believes that awareness of stress triggers is crucial in stopping stress-induced eczema. This awareness allows you to implement practical lifestyle and therapeutic measures to combat long-term stress and the fallout of eczema. These measures may include exercise, eating healthily and getting enough sleep.

“When it comes to skincare, it’s tempting to try as much as possible, but now is just not the time to overdo it and experiment with latest products. It’s best to keep your skincare routine easy by specializing in healing and rebuilding the skin barrier using key ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, squalene, hyaluronic acids, and essential fatty acids. Avoid products containing fragrances, soaps, drying alcohols and even hot showers, which might irritate already sensitive skin,” says Ayodele.

What are the solutions?

Using sunscreen remains to be essential, but finding one that will not irritate your skin may take some trial and error. The sun may trigger eczema in some people, so it is vital to keep this in mind. Eucerin Cream Gel SPF50 is a really perfect option for sensitive skin, identical to La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+.

Ayodele suggests chances are you’ll also need a brief course of steroids, which your doctor or dermatologist may prescribe for short-term use, to help your skin heal and reduce dryness, itching and sensitivity.

Dr. Adeline Kikam believes that stress can definitely exacerbate eczema and potentially lead to flare-ups. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is characterised by itchy, dry skin and rashes that may negatively impact quality of life. Both mental and physical types of stress can worsen eczema.

Psychological stress can trigger local neurogenic inflammation and disrupt the skin barrier function. A study on this topic found that chronic stress worsened eczema compared to acute stress since it was related to sleep disturbances and long-term itching and scratching compared to short-term itching.

Stress also leads to a rise in cortisol levels, a hormone that may adversely affect the skin’s barrier function, causing moisture loss and exacerbating eczema symptoms.

Here are her suggestions:

Practice good stress management: To reduce the impact of stress on eczema, you must practice good stress management, which might include or take many forms depending on your lifestyle and resources, but notable ones include:

Exercises: Exercise, a healthy eating regimen, adequate sleep, yoga and mindfulness are among the ways to manage eczema. Appropriate care habits that replenish skin hydration are also essential. Improper treatment of eczema can itself cause stress.