Stress Rash: Can Stress Cause an Itchy Rash

It's comon to hear in our culture that someone has irritable bowel syndrome or sleep issues due to stress. A stress rashis also another expression of rash. Of course, not every rash is due to stress. Rashes can be caused by bacterial infections, poison ivy , insect bites , allergic reactions and other factors. However, stress can increase itching and scratching which can lead to bacterial infections and sleep loss for rashes of any origin.

We know that stress weakens the immune system and can cause one to catch colds, get cold sores, suffer from colitis or have panic attacks.If you ask any physician they'll talk about kids getting constipated due to their nerves and executives having digestive issues before giving a presentation at work. A hives rash is a rash many attribute to reactions of stress.. Hives can also be the result of a food allergy or environmental reaction. A hives rash may have little pimples, welts and patches that appear and disappear during the day. The spots can also merge with each other and morph in their shapes. Itching is terrible and sleep is very difficult without taking an antihistamine.

Controlling stress is hard when you have an existing rash because it's easy to panic about it spreading, worry that it may be visible to others if it spreads to your face and concerned about people at work or school noticing it or speaking about you. When we are angry or upset our body temperatures can increase and this can cause skin flushing or perspiration. Perspiration can cause or aggravate many rashes. Also when you are itchy and agitated you may unconsciously scratch. Scratching is a natural reaction but it is easy to get bacterial infections when you scratch something open. This can lead to impetigo or a rash that will require topical or oral antibiotics to control.

First, determine if there is a non-stress cause to the rash by seeing a dermatologist.. A biopsy can determine or rule out if the cause is scabies, a fungal rash, spongiotic dermatitis or another root cause. Follow whatever measure your physician advises for treating this. In addition, whether it's stress-caused or not, some cognitive behavioral techniques are very useful to reduce the accompanying stress. Breathe slowly to the count of 8, hold the breath for another 8 counts and then exhale slowly. After you exhale, hold the breath out for 5 seconds. Then repeat. Do this for five minutes. The mind will slow down as the breath slows down and this help with racing thoughts and unwanted thoughts that pester us. Reducing stress, will help your rash, scratching and sleep so your body can heal.