Stress and rashes/spots

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by Guest Posts on Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:18 am

Stress and rashes/spots

Can stress bring our rashes and spots? My 30 year old son is taking isolation and the threat of Coranavirus very badly and having anxiety attacks.
Now he has come out in spots and rashes. Three different types. Hive like rashes, pimply spots and big red scaly blobs.

He has not been out for 3 weeks so hasn't caught anything.

Thank you, Daisy
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Ben Choi
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by Ben Choi on Thu Apr 09, 2020 12:50 pm

Re: Stress and rashes/spots

Hello Daisy,
Sorry to hear about how your son is taking things. I believe it’s important to recognise the effect that covid-19 has on everyone's mental health and that stress can impact skin health and bring about issues with skin.

Whereas I can’t diagnose the reaction your son has had, I would say never underestimate the power of routine and how it can impact mental health and thus his skin.

For example, he could follow a routine which is as close to normality as possible.
This could involve doing his ‘normal’ morning routine, using the working day to do some professional development online or some activities that engage his brain like learning a new language or skill online or on an app.
If he was physically active before quarantine or wanting to be more so, he could use the government advice to exercise once a day outside or exercise at home in the evenings or weekends (there are a lot of free resources being released on Youtube).
Socialising could look like video calls with friends between these evenings and weekends, perhaps doing an online quiz or online game with them might make it feel more natural.

He could also look at creating his own routine that might support his mental health more. For example it could give him a chance to introduce relaxation into his day. This might involve meditation (again there are free apps such as Headspace and Insight Timer), or it could involve some artistic creativity such as drawing or painting or even some light DIY if that’s more his thing.

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Dr Alia Ahmed
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by Dr Alia Ahmed on Thu Apr 09, 2020 6:21 pm

Re: Stress and rashes/spots

Thank you for contacting us. Ben has made some great suggestions and I hope your son is able to benefit from these. In answer to your question about stress and rashes/spots, it is entirely possible that your son's skin is responding to his stress levels. There is good evidence to show the link between mind and skin, specifically the onset of skin problems in times of stress due to increased levels of cortisol (the 'stress hormone'). The effects seen on the skin can vary, including feeling red, dry and itchy, as well as the formation of lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, signs of premature aging and dull skin. Short-term stress (e.g. feeling anxious before a presentation/exam) can cause temporary problems like flushing, itching and sweating. Long-term (or chronic) stress however results in the body entering a permanent ‘stress-response’ state, which can aggravate existing skin problems through a poor natural immune response and ongoing inflammation. For example, high levels of stress are associated with a higher severity of skin disease in people with psoriasis and eczema. I hope this information is helpful. I wish both you and your son the very best.
Dr Alia Ahmed
Consultant Dermatologist - BSc MRCP

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... _ahmed.php

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