Can Stress Trigger Eczema?

Can Stress Trigger Eczema?

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Eczema is a skin condition that can range from mild to severe. There are many triggers that can exacerbate eczema, and stress is one of the most difficult triggers to manage. You can change your diet, use different topical ointments, and even choose clothing that is less irritating to your skin condition, but how do you manage stress so that it does not trigger eczema?

Stress – Eczema – Stress Cycle

This time of year, most people are experiencing more stress because of family stress, travel, or work-related stress. But for people with eczema, that stress can cause an outbreak, which in turn causes more stress. It can be a vicious cycle.

How Does Stress Trigger an Eczema Outbreak?

When you are under a great deal of stress, your body produces more cortisol. It’s a leftover response from early human days when you needed a dump of adrenaline to escape danger. Now, the cortisol hormone secreted by the adrenal glands simply interferes with your physiology, impacting your immune system and creating inflammation in the body.

How to Manage Stress to Reduce Eczema Symptoms

When you have a flareup of eczema, it can make it more difficult to manage stress. We recommend the following lifestyle habits to help maintain healthy stress levels:

  • Lack of sleep can exacerbate stress. Getting a full night’s sleep every night can help you cope with stress more readily.
  • One of the most effective ways to keep stress at bay is to exercise regularly. Walking 30 minutes a day has proven health benefits, including reducing stress, but don’t let a busy schedule keep you from exercise – fit in your exercise in 10-minute increments throughout the day and you’ll still experience the same benefits.
  • Taking even five minutes to put down electronics, sit quietly, and empty your mind can be a powerful way to overcome and manage stress.

If stress is impacting your ability to manage your eczema, we encourage you to get in touch with Skin Care Research at 561-948-3116 or fill out the form on this page to learn more.