Stress is an aggravating factor for skin conditions (Credit: StartupStockPhotos/Pixabay)
afraid. Worry. overload. Stress. These are common problems in the corporate environment in a country that has not taken care of its population during the pandemic and where there are more than 11 million unemployed. These cases are a whole board to cause skin diseases. Workers under stress often experience hair loss, acne, exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, exacerbation of psoriasis and the return of vitiligo white patches. It’s all due to well-deserved emotional problems.
According to dermatologists, stress impairs the body’s balance and stimulates the reactions of the neuroendocrine system, affecting the immune aspects of skin diseases.
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“The skin and the central nervous system are of the same embryonic origin, and both come from the ectoderm. The ectoderm is the outer layer of the developing embryo and gives rise to the epidermis and its appendages (hair, glands, etc.) and the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves and ganglia). For this reason, the skin has an intimate relationship with emotions such as stress, fear and anxiety,” explains Alice Garucci, a dermatologist who graduated from the University of São Paulo (USP) and is a specialist from the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD).
Some people who are less resilient, sensitive to stress, and those who suffer from anxiety disorders and depression often worsen in the face of loss of freedom, phobias, panic, and insomnia. The personification of the skin is increased due to the relationship between the skin, the nervous system, and the psyche.
“These feelings stimulate the hormonal release of cortisol which triggers an inflammatory process in the skin, exacerbating conditions such as vitiligo, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata, among others,” says the dermatologist.
What do I do?
SBD directs residents to invest in good habits that will help reduce stress and prevent skin changes, such as being physically active, getting good sleep, eating well, and occupying the head with activities that cause pleasure (painting or performing gardening, for example) . In addition, it is important to have a daily skin care routine – for this, no matter how heavy and troublesome the work, there must always be time, energy and will.
According to the SBD, a dermatologist should develop the best doctor-patient relationship through empathy, reception, provision of complementary tools and therapies, and, in some cases, reference to psychiatric/psychiatric counseling.
“Stress is not a natural cause of skin disease, but rather an aggravating factor. Therefore, stress management measures are fundamental in dermatology care and lifestyle changes are the most impactful. Improving the quality of sleep, food, physical activity, a leisure routine and time to take care of yourself greatly help in the process. Jarush concludes that the treatment of the skin in each disease is specific and should be directed by a dermatologist.
