Experts are not sure exactly what causes eczema. However, most believe it is due to a combination of genes and triggers, such as stress and environmental factors.
Eczema is a common skin condition that usually starts in early childhood. The main symptom is itchy, dry skin.
People with eczema often have an overreactive immune system that responds to a substance or trigger inside or outside the body. The body reacts to these triggers by causing inflammation, which leads to eczema symptoms, such as itchy, painful skin.
Stress is often a trigger for eczema. In a 2020 survey by the National Eczema Society, 57% of females and 41% of males said stress worsened their eczema. People may also feel stressed because of their eczema, which worsens their symptoms. Of those in the survey, 74% said that eczema negatively affects their mental health.
This article discusses the cycle of stress and eczema and ways to prevent and treat it.
Although there is certainly a link between stress and eczema, experts do not fully understand the mechanisms underlying the connection.
However, there are several theories about why stress may worsen skin symptoms.
Fight-or-flight response
Stress may cause or worsen eczema as part of a person’s “fight-or-flight” response.
When a person is in a stressful situation, this triggers the fight-or-flight response. The body responds by producing more stress hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine.
However, too much cortisol can dysregulate the immune system and lead to skin inflammation. People with eczema may be more susceptible to this inflammatory response.
Cytokines
Cytokines are small proteins that
According to
The immune system
Stress
These changes involve the neuroendocrine pathways, which are a hormonal system of communication between cells.
Eczema is a complex condition. While researchers are not sure what causes it, they believe the following may play a role:
- the immune system, stress, and inflammation
- where a person lives and the job they do
- having a family history of eczema, hay fever, asthma, or allergies
There are also various potential triggers for eczema, including:
Experts have linked eczema to a leaky skin barrier, which allows water to escape and dry the skin. A person can inherit leaky skin or develop it due to their environment.
A protein known as filaggrin is essential to the skin’s barrier. If someone lacks this protein or if there are issues with it, it can cause moderate to severe eczema.
The National Eczema Association reports that more than 30% of people with eczema are also living with depression, anxiety, or both.
If a person experiences these health issues, they need to seek guidance from a mental health specialist, who will determine the most suitable treatment.
Managing stress
The following strategies may help manage stress that occurs due to eczema:
- Using relaxation techniques: Guided meditation, walks in nature, yoga, or creative activities, such as drawing, baking, or knitting, may help a person relax.
- Exercising: Getting regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress, possibly due to the release of certain hormones and neurotransmitters. A person with eczema also needs to wash using cool or lukewarm water and change their clothes after exercising.
- Joining a support group: Eczema is a common condition affecting over 31 million people in the United States. Joining an Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America support group can help a person feel less alone.
- Improving sleep quality: Sleeping in a comfortable and quiet bedroom, taking a warm bath or shower before bedtime, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed may help improve sleep quality.
Taking care of the skin
A person can help prevent eczema flare ups by following these skin care tips:
- Using fragrance-free skin products: Use unscented skin care products.
- Moisturizing: Moisturize after bathing and whenever the skin feels dry with a fragrance-free cream or ointment.
- Using lukewarm water for baths and showers: Take a 5 to 10-minute bath or shower daily in water that is lukewarm, not hot. Additionally, apply moisturizer within 5 minutes of bathing to help lock in moisture.
- Wearing loose-fitting clothes: Wear 100% cotton clothing that is comfortable and loose. Cotton is less irritating than some other fabrics. Avoid wool directly touching the skin.
- Avoiding extreme temperatures: Cold can dry out the skin, and heat can cause sweating, which can trigger eczema. Try to avoid extreme temperatures and protect the skin.
- Using fragrance-free detergent: Wash clothes and bedding in a fragrance- and dye-free detergent.
- Contacting a dermatologist: A dermatologist can help a person manage their eczema and prescribe treatment to prevent flare-ups.
Read about treatments for eczema.
A person with eczema, stress, or both may wish to contact a doctor if:
- over-the-counter medicines or home remedies have been ineffective
- eczema is affecting their day-to-day life
- lesions cover a large area of their body
- lesions appear infected and have red streaks or produce pus
- stress is affecting their daily life
- stress-management strategies are not working
Eczema is a common skin condition that may cause discolored, itchy, dry skin.
Stress may trigger eczema due to increases in stress hormones. This may lead to inflammation and changes in the immune system, which may trigger eczema symptoms.
Other causes and triggers for eczema include having a family history of the condition, wearing certain fabrics, using scented products, and exposure to extreme temperatures.
Managing stress, moisturizing skin regularly, and using fragrance-free skin care products and detergents may help ease symptoms.
