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Many individuals find themselves breaking out in red, rash-like blisters when placed under distressing circumstances. This condition is called eczema and anything from a big presentation to financial woes can trigger it.
People suffering from this skin condition can experience an eczema flare up due to stress. This can lead to more scratching or a worse bout of eczema, exacerbating the already existing conditions that your body is going through.
While eczema flare ups due to stress are something you may have not heard of, it is not unusual. Learn more about the link between the two and how you can better handle this condition.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema is also called atopic dermatitis. This is usually characterized by inflamed skin that gives ways to rashes or rash-like spots to appear all over the body.
There are various triggers for eczema, one of which is stress. This is a chronic condition that can be debilitating for most patients, with the itchy area becoming more prominent over time.
Sores, blisters, and inflammation are typical of this condition. Moreover, this is also identified by flare-ups and incessant itching, with individuals with this condition often scratching themselves.
The Link Between Stress and Eczema
When people go through distressing situations, their bodies go through a fight-or-flight mode. When in this state, the body’s sensory nerves release neuromediators.
Those neuromediators include adrenaline and cortisol, to help ward off stress and help regulate inflammation.
However, the production of excess cortisol in the body can lead to inflammation within the skin. One of the results of this is eczema.
This can occur when individuals are undergoing extremely stressful or chronic distressing situations or have anxiety.
Handling Eczema Flare-Up Due to Stress
Managing your stress levels is one of the best ways to keep your eczema under control. While this will not eliminate this condition, you can help keep its symptoms at bay. Below are some tips for effectively handling this:
Skin Care for Eczema
For those dealing with this finicky skin condition, one way you can stay on top of this is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. This is because people suffering from eczema have a damaged skin barrier.
This barrier makes them more prone and sensitive to bacteria and irritants. What’s more, this condition also leads to the inability to retain water and moisture in the skin, making dry patches and itchy skin more prominent.
To prevent this, you should moisturize within three minutes of getting out of the bath. Besides moisturizing, using gentle products free from fragrance, dyes, and harsh chemicals such as strong detergents is key.
Using soap or strong cleansers on the skin is also a big no-no. This also goes for taking long, hot showers as this can wick away the moisture of the skin.
Meditation and Relaxation
Another way you can manage atopic dermatitis is through meditation and relaxation. Deep breathing and even guided meditation can help center your thoughts and being.
At the same time, these can help manage your stress and anxiety, and lower the risk of getting eczema flare up due to stress. Exercises such as yoga or tai chi, both of which have these tenets at their core, are also viable options.
You can also simply do nothing, lounge around, read a book, or even visit a trail. Whatever helps you cope and distract yourself from stress will do wonders for your mind and body.
Getting Enough Sleep
Lastly, get enough sleep. This helps boost your immunity and lower inflammation in your body. Get soothing beddings and linens to help provide a more suitable sleeping environment. This can help prevent nighttime scratching as well.
Final Thoughts
If you find yourself suffering from eczema, don’t hesitate to try these stress management tips. This might be one of the ways you can keep this disease in check and improve your skin condition.