Are you under a lot of stress lately? Do you have a rash? The two might be related. I commonly get asked by patients in my clinic “Is my rash because of stress?” The answer is, it might be.
Stress has many effects on your body. When under significant physical of psychological stress, your body releases a stress hormone, called cortisol. Cortisol in the natural world, could help save your life in dire circumstances. It helps keep your blood pressure up, makes your kidneys work harder, pushes your liver to get rid of toxins more effectively, and changes your metabolism from storing energy to burning it. In a crisis such as life-threatening starvation or diarrhea, cortisol works to help keep you alive. In the modern world, however, where we sometimes experience chronic stress from work or family, cortisol’s effects can be counter productive.
We can see this in the skin where elevated cortisol can change both the skin’s structure and function. Studies have shown that chronically elevated cortisol levels lead to a decrease in your skin’s natural lipid or fat barrier. These lipids are essential to keep your skin protected and to prevent it from drying out. Without a layer of lipids on your skin, it is no longer waterproof, and irritating soap and water from hand washing or bathing is able to penetrate the skin, causing inflammation. Without a protective lipid layer, the moisture in your skin evaporates easily, leaving the skin dehydrated. This dry, flaky skin is even more susceptible to damage or irritation.
Elevated cortisol also impairs your skin’s natural defense system. Your skin is constantly producing specialized protiens that act as bacterialcides, killing off unwanted intruders on your skin. Stress can lead to a drop in production of these first line defense proteins, leaving your skin vulnerable.
The consequences of this loss of lipids and decreased defenses is that rashes such as eczema and psoriasis can be triggered or can flare, turning a minor irritation into a full blown outbreak. Other diseases such as herpes viral infections, bacterial infections, and even acne are much more likely to worsen when your cortisol levels are elevated from stress.
Although there is little you can do to prevent stress, there are some things you can do to help your skin. Exercising at least 3 days a week can help you manage your stress and can help reset your cortisol levels to healthier levels. Meditative activities such as walking or yoga may likely help you to manage your stress, thereby lowering your level of stress hormones.
You can also help your skin by doing what you can to counter the loss of lipids from cortisol. Use a non-soap cleanser such as Dove instead of soap. Apply a moisturizer heavy in lipids, like a body cream, to your skin everyday after showering. Eat a diet high in omega 3 rich foods like flaxseed, salmon, and walnuts.
Finally pick stocks that will make lots of money in the next year. Well, maybe you can’t do everything.
Photo: Faungg, Flickr.com