Stress is something which we all deal with once in a while. Along with Stress, comes acne and rashes. Stress can result in few terrible health effects inside and outside of the body.
If stress is not managed then unpleasant results can be seen on the skin, hair, and nails. Now, lets read about the stress rashes in the following article.
Table of Contents
What Is Stress Rash?
Some people experience an increase in pimples and acne when they are under stress. When you are in stress, the hormones released can make your skin sensitive and reactive.
These hormones trigger the production of extra oil on your skin which in turns produces pimples, rashes, and acne. Stress rash can sometimes refer to as Stress hives.
Stress hives is a condition in which the skin becomes red, swollen and itchy. Sometimes it may cause burning sensation in the area affected by stress hives.
It is said that stress makes a person to cruel to their skin. People often scratch their rashes or pops pimples out, but remember that these all will lead to a permanent scar on the skin. And people, some scars are not beautiful!
What Causes Stress Rash?
When you suffer from stress or anxiety, your body releases a certain mixture of hormones and chemicals which cause the skin to develop a rash or itchy skin.
In this case, your skin becomes more sensitive and loses the ability to protect skin from depletion. It also makes your skin to react again your regular lotion or creams.
Stress and anxiety are the main cause of the stress rashes, but there are other things which act as sources in triggering the growth of these rashes.
Everything in this world needs a comfortable situation to grow. And with an increase in good hospitality, few things tend to live there forever. Same in case of Stress rashes!
When particular things act as a catalyst for the stress rashes they spread rapidly causing an even more severe problem.
There are few foods and certain other factors which trigger Stress rashes.
Foods Those Trigger Stress Rashes
- Chocolate
- Wheat
- Nuts
- Tomatoes
- Eggs
- seafood
- Milk
- Soy
- Shellfish
- Cheese
Other Factors Which Trigger Stress Rashes
- Environmental conditions
- Skin Infection
- Irregular Menstrual Cycle
- Hot-Cold temperature
- Anxiety Disorder
- Reaction to medications
- Stings and bites from insects
- Dust mites
- Pollens
Other Types Of Rashes Or Skin Disorder
Apart from Stress Rashes or Hives, there are other skin conditions which are often confused with Stress rashes.
These skin conditions are very different and they need proper medication and treatment.
However, these skin disorders are not caused by Stress but are triggered by stress. Stress causes the skin to become more sensitive and prone to other skin conditions.
Few different types of rashes or skin disorders are-
i. Heat Rash
Working in hot and humid conditions causes heat rash. These happen when pores are blocked and there is no way for sweat to escape.
ii. Pityriasis Rosea
These rashes are oval in shape. These usually appear in a certain pattern, where a big red patch is in the center followed by small red patches surrounding it.
iii. Rosacea
It is a normal skin condition in which small, red, and pus-filled bumps appears mainly on forehead, nose, and cheeks.
iv. Eczema
It is a chronic skin condition in which plaques are formed on the skin by rashes. It makes the affected area of skin red and itching. Fluids are leaked from the plaques if scratched.
v. Psoriasis
Psoariasis is a chronic skin condition in which patches of red, itchy and scaly abnormal skin layers are formed.
All these skin conditions are made worse by stress. Stress may not create these conditions but it sure does activate them and prevent them from remaining dormant.
Treatment For Stress Rashes
Stress rashes or hives are most likely to disappear with time or with mild or moderate treatment.
Stress rashes are mainly caused by stress, so if try to avoid taking stress then it will reflect on your skin. Try to reduce taking the stress, but even if the rashes persist then you should consult a doctor.
Home Remedies For Stress Rash
1. Cold Compress
Take some ice cube and wrap them in a cotton cloth to make a compress. Place it over the affected skin area. Repeat this process 3-4 times a day. Else, to soothe the itching take a cool bath preferably the water should not be too cold.
2. Oatmeal Bath
Mix one cup of baking soda with two cups of oatmeal and add this mixture to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water. Soak yourself in it for 15-20 minutes.
3. Vinegar
Make a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water in equal amount and apply it on the affected skin with the help of a cotton ball.
4. Aloe Vera
Apply Aloe vera gel to the affected skin area and rinse it off with normal water after 15 minutes. Repeat this as many times as you want.
5. Baking Soda
Take 3-4 teaspoons of baking soda in a bowl and add enough water to make a thick paste. Apply this paste to the affected area. Alternatively, add a half cup of baking soda to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water and soak in it for 20 minutes.
6. Turmeric
Take a glass of hot milk and add one teaspoon of turmeric. Stir it well and drink it twice daily.
7. Nettle
Take a cup of hot water and add one teaspoon of dried leave of nettle to it. Cover it and steep for 10-12 minutes, strain the liquid and add a little honey to it. Drink this two or three times a day.
8. Calamine Lotion
When itching increases in the affected skin area apply calamine lotion again and again.
9. Basil
Take one teaspoon of basil leaves and put in a jar of cold water. Cover the jar. After 10 minutes, apply this basil water to the affected skin.
10. Mint
Boil mint leaves in water. Let it cool and wash the affected area with this water.
11. Breathing Exercise
Perform breathing exercise as it helps you to relax and takes off your mind from the itching.
Tips To Reduce Stress From Your Body
If you are suffering from Stress rash then you must know the ways to overcome stress. Because the root cause of these rashes is Stress.
There are few tips which will help you to control stress-
- Practice stress management and do exercise daily.
- Involve in hobbies like reading, dancing or sketching.
- Lower your stress by not taking the workload and set boundaries for limiting stress level.
- There are specific Yoga postures for stress relief, perform those daily.
- Breathing exercise and Meditation are a great help during stress.
- Reduce the thought which makes you depressed and indulge your mind into happy thoughts.
- Give your proper and calm sleep.
- When you are feeling stress, go for a head massage. It relieves you from a headache caused by stress.
- Reduce your alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine intake.
- Maintain a diary and write what you are stressed about. Writing down your feelings is one of the best the method to deal with stress.
- When stressed, try talking to your loved ones. Because ‘stress shared is stress reduced’.
Dos And Don’ts When You Have Stress Rash
a. Never neglect your skin. Give a constant care to your skin.
b. Always keep your body fresh and sweat free.
c. Give yourself enough time to sleep.
d. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
e. Eliminate those foods which trigger the rashes.
f. Do Meditation and yoga daily for a healthy body and glowing skin.
g. Consult a dermatologist if the condition is persistent
h. Do not try cosmetics which give you allergy.
i. Do not take a hot bath during an outbreak.
j. Maintain a proper diet and don’t eat oily food too much.
k. Do not wear full sleeves dress, as they increase the itching and irritation.
l. Do not scratch your skin as it will cause a permanent scar.
m. Don’t go out in the sun if your skin is sensitive.
n. Don’t eat those foods which trigger the rashes.
Final Talk
Don’t take the stress, because too much stress affects your body internally and externally. Follow the tips for managing stress. Be happy and never let yourself down.
Stay Healthy and Stay Stress-Free!
Also, Read
Urticaria Pigmentosa : Causes,Symptoms & Home Remedies
