The largest organ of the body, the skin, is often the projection surface for processes that take place inside the body. Thus, increased stress on the skin can also manifest itself in some people through skin rashes (so-called exanthema). The word “stress” is used very often, but the actual biological meaning of it is ultimately the body’s reaction to an external challenge.
A distinction is made between eustress and dysstress. Eustress is the “positive stress”, which is a challenge for the body, but is certainly perceived as pleasant. It keeps the organism healthy and is of great importance for the solution of difficult tasks.
Dysstress, on the other hand, is perceived as unpleasant and is accompanied by a feeling of being overwhelmed and threatened. If it persists over a longer period of time, it can lead to physical and psychological symptoms. The possible consequences of this type of “negative stress” will be discussed further in this article.
In the history of development this was important for our ancestors to have an increased readiness to escape or fight in dangerous situations. A stress reaction results in the release of stress hormones, which increase the pulse and blood pressure, make breathing faster and increase muscle tension. You create the perfect conditions for increased physical performance.
In today’s society, however, escape in stressful situations is usually not appropriate, which is why stress often accumulates in psychological form and no longer finds a real outlet. In the worst case this can lead to burnout. Preliminary stages of this can be various manifestations in different parts of the body, such as skin with rashes.
Since stress processes directly influence the immune function of the skin, problems can arise if the stress is prolonged. Since stress hormones have a dampening effect on the immune system, long-term stress can make it easier for invaders such as bacteria, viruses or fungi to penetrate the skin and cause reddened, itchy or weeping skin rashes. Stress reactions also influence the skin’s blood circulation and can therefore lead to a reduced supply of important nutrients to the skin.
Since the connection between psyche and skin seems to be of particular importance, there is now even a separate discipline in medicine that is particularly concerned with these clinical pictures. This relatively new branch of research is called psychodermatology. The typical manifestations of stress on the skin are hives (urticaria), psoriasis and neurodermatitis.
Acne can also be intensified by stress. In the history of development this was important for our ancestors to have an increased readiness to escape or fight in dangerous situations. A stress reaction results in the release of stress hormones, which increase the pulse and blood pressure, make breathing faster and increase muscle tension.
You create the perfect conditions for increased physical performance. In today’s society, however, escape in stressful situations is usually not appropriate, which is why stress often accumulates in psychological form and no longer finds a real outlet. In the worst case this can lead to burnout.
Preliminary stages of this can be various manifestations in different parts of the body, such as skin with rashes. Since stress processes directly influence the immune function of the skin, problems can arise if the stress is prolonged. Since stress hormones have a dampening effect on the immune system, long-term stress can make it easier for invaders such as bacteria, viruses or fungi to penetrate the skin and cause reddened, itchy or weeping skin rashes.
Stress reactions also influence the skin’s blood circulation and can therefore lead to a reduced supply of important nutrients to the skin. Since the connection between psyche and skin seems to be of particular importance, there is now even a separate discipline in medicine that is particularly concerned with these clinical pictures. This relatively new branch of research is called psychodermatology. The typical manifestations of stress on the skin are hives (urticaria), psoriasis and neurodermatitis. Acne can also be intensified by stress.
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