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Eczema and Depression: How to Help Your Skin and Mind

By Laura Dolgy (bio below)

Living with eczema can be both physically and emotionally draining, not to mention it can really wreak havoc on self esteem and self love. But did you ever stop to think that perhaps negative thoughts are limiting you from truly healing?

This week we look at the connection between eczema and depression, as well as some of the necessary steps needed to change your mindset to more positive thoughts.

Please keep in mind that we are in no way medical professionals. If you are experiencing depression or severe eczema, please make sure to seek medical advice immediately.

A recent survey by the National Eczema Association found that more than 30% of eczema sufferers have been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety. Although the connection between eczema and depression is still unknown, there are some ideas as to how depression can develop in those suffering from eczema.

First things first, if you or a loved one experiences any of the following symptoms, please consult a health care provider as soon as possible.

  • Feeling sad, empty and/or anxious
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Lost of interest in hobbies or other activities
  • Decreased energy, feeling tired more often
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Restlessness, unable to sit still
  • Problems sleeping
  • Weight change
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Eczema can be really tough to handle emotionally and physically. Make sure you have a support group, friends and family to talk to about your skin health and mental health.

Stress & Relaxation

If you didn’t already know, one of the most common triggers for eczema is stress. When the body experiences stress, it goes into a flight-or-fight mode and responds by increasing stress hormones, which in turn can wreak havoc on anyone’s body and immune system. Stress eventually suppresses the immune system and can cause an inflammatory response (like eczema) to occur.

The problem with stress is that although it can trigger eczema initially, having eczema can trigger stress as well, thus creating a vicious cycle of symptoms. Both eczema and stress really do go hand-in-hand. Although it’s very difficult to completely eradicate stress as a trigger, there are many different approaches that can be taken to control your stress and therefore possibly control your eczema trigger. Learn more about Eczema and Stress.

One way of dealing with heightened levels of stress or eczema and depression is learning to relax more. Although this is easier said than done, there are a variety of activities out there that can help both your mind and body relax. Here are just a few:

  • Meditation
  • Yoga/Tai Chi
  • Exercise
  • Reading
  • Dancing

Obviously what works for one person may not work for another, so it’s important to find an activity that you’ll be able to stick to and that you also really enjoy.

If your little one happens to be suffering from eczema, make sure to check out our blog post: 8 Ways to Relieve Stress in Children with Eczema.

Positive Mindset

Aside from healing through managing stress, many eczema sufferers have also found that positive thinking can also heal as well. Some researchers believe that positive beliefs may alter the immune system, therefore turning off the stress trigger and promoting relaxation.

Thinking positively can also stimulate the body’s natural endorphins, which in turns can promote a healthier mood and generally positive mental health.

Being in a constant state of negative energy can cause negative effects on the body, causing the body to react in a flight-or-fight behavior that is activated by stress. Unloving thoughts towards your body or your general state can actually have adverse reactions and can in turn cause the sympathetic nervous system to create a stress response.

To learn more about shifting that negative energy and finding a new mindset while suffering from eczema, make sure to check out Prime Physique Nutrition’s Abbi Lai’s e-book: The Power of Thoughts: How Mindset Shifts Can Eliminate Eczema.

Eczema and Gut Health

If you’re suffering from eczema, then more than likely your gut health is suffering too. Did you know that bad gut health can actually affect the brain and that distress can actually affect the gut?

Recent studies and research have shown that the gut acts as a second brain. In fact, this organ is lined with cells that look identical to those in the brain and also functions with hormones that are seen in the brain like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

With eczema, the gut becomes affected due to an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria that in turn causes inflammation. This inflammation can cause distress for the brain and can possibly result in mental health issues like depression.

To understand more about the brain and gut connection, make sure to check out our blog post with Dr. Robin Miller, author HEALED: Health & Wellness for the 21st Century and medical reporter on NBC: Eczema and Gut Health: A Connection Between Brain and Body.

Looking for more guidance?

We recommend also reading 6 Inspiring Tips for Living with Eczema Based the Power of Trust & Acceptance for some powerful advice from life coach Marieke Bosch Larose.

Lastly, check out this great webinar below from the National Eczema Association by Dr. Jennifer Moyer Darr. It’s a powerful overview of all the ways eczema can impact our life and how to make changes so that eczema doesn’t consume you.

For information on healing eczema naturally, see our page Start Here for Eczema Relief.

Are you suffering from eczema and depression? Tell your story in our comments section below!

Bio: Laura is a contributor and content developer for It’s An Itchy Little World. She is in no way a medical professional. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to replace any medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes. Please see It’s An Itchy Little World’s disclaimer for information about affiliate links and more.

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Eczema and Stress: Are They Related? Learn to Calm Your Mind and Skin

As you read this, more than 32 million Americans are scratching their skin due to eczema.  According to the National Eczema Association, eczema affects at least 10% of people in the United States. Eczema is a skin disorder that is triggered by allergens and other irritants, infections, extreme weather temperatures, and the one that we can control – stress.

If you want to escape the onset of eczema, you have to protect yourself from what triggers it. In fact, this skin condition is called a psychodermatologic disorder because eczema and stress almost always go hand-in-hand. This is just a scientific way of saying that it is a physical disorder that is tied to your mental and emotional health.

There’s no denying it – stress is the root of most of our health problems.  It has even been linked to heart disease, for one, and many others. So, can stress cause eczema? Yes! And it makes perfect sense. The correlation between psychological wellbeing and skin health is so strong that there’s even a subspecialty in dermatology called psychodermatology.

Stress Induced Eczema – It’s a Thing!  

The connection between eczema and stress has long been established.  The scientific explanation behind this is that stress releases hormones that affect our immune system.  People with eczema actually have weak immune systems, which in turn causes inflammation of the skin, and can manifest into itchy rashes or worse, painful blisters.  Stress can also exacerbate the condition and cause your skin to flare up.

We all have our ways of coping with stress.  Some people are able to take life’s challenges (and changes) lightly while some have difficulty digesting it.

I know, I know.  Avoiding eczema from stress is easier said than done.  Sometimes it’s just easier applying a cream and avoiding the stress altogether. There is certainly nothing wrong with a little natural eczema cream to get some immediate relief, but the key to getting a handle on your eczema permanently is determining how you can avoid the onset of symptoms altogether.

Here are some tried and tested tips to calm your body and say goodbye to stress induced eczema:

Meditation / Prayer Time

Set aside some quiet time (like 15 minutes) every day to take stock of your life.  Lifting all your worries to a Higher Power will give you the serenity to cope with life’s challenges.

Try the Headspace app – it’s a great intro to meditation that will ease you in and get you hooked.

Spend Time with Others

Spend time with family, friends, and other support groups.  The conversations will surely distract you from scratching. And it is not only your skin that will be improved but your relationships too! For additional help, check out the National Eczema Association’s online support group here.

Read More: 8 Ways to Relieve Stress In Children With Eczema  

Self-Love

On the other hand, if there is anyone (or anything) in your life that is causing you stress, trying breaking away from that negative energy. Don’t feel guilty about it! It’s important to have some self-love too.

Prioritize and Delegate

If your list of to-do’s is getting too long and causing you much stress, learn to prioritize and delegate tasks.  You don’t have to do everything all at once, or by yourself for that matter.

Relax

Breathe deeply and find time to relax. You can even do this while taking your morning or afternoon walk.

Exercise

Exercise is very important in improving your mood and it will help you sweat your toxins away.

Your choice of exercise doesn’t have to high impact – like Zumba (Although that’s fun too!). For something calm, try yoga, which improves your mindfulness and concentration. A double win!

A Gentle Bath

Have a good, but not necessarily long, lukewarm bath.  It will relax you and soothe your itchy skin (if you use an oatmeal bath for eczema).  Just don’t forget to use a gentle natural soap and moisturize afterwards. Learn how to find the best eczema soap here.

Also, avoid rubbing your skin dry with a towel.  It will irritate your skin. Just pat it dry instead.

Sleep   

Often overlooked, but a great sleep can have a real effect on both your happiness and wellbeing.  Also, the right pajamas (made for eczema prone skin) can make all the difference in the world. Look for soft, comfortable eczema sleepwear for a good night’s sleep.

Alternative Medicine

Try alternative medicine such as acupuncture to relieve you from eczema caused by stress.  But, if you’re not feeling brave enough to go under the needles of acupuncture, then go for its hand counterpart, which is acupressure for eczema or reflexology.

A simple massage can also help relax your tense muscles.  Dim the lights and play some nature sounds while you’re at it for the ultimate spa experience.

Take a Vacation

A quick urban escape or brief weekend getaway will do and the change of scenery will do a lot of good for your senses. Just make sure your prep time and travel is stress free!

Start a Journal

If you have a knack for writing, then start a journal and write away.  This will help eliminate the negative thoughts that are causing you stress.

A gratitude journal or self exploration journal are great tools for those who need guidance to break into the world of journaling.

See a Professional

If the stress seems too much to handle and you cannot find solace in your immediate circle, try seeking professional advice.  The intervention could be what you need to heal your mind and your skin.

Whichever method you choose to relieve your stress, you need to find something you enjoy doing.  Do you enjoy getting immersed in a film or book? Do you prefer spending time with friends? It’s really up to you to discover what will make you mentally strong.  The bottomline – stress management is an integral part of treating eczema.  Manage your stress and you’ll be able to manage your eczema as well.

Planning to have a baby?

If you are planning to get pregnant, or already are, you should avoid stress, as a recent study [1] showed that stress prior and during pregnancy leads to eczema in infants.  So it’s not just YOUR skin that’s affected – your unborn child’s skin is affected too!

One Last Story…

To part, let me share with you this story of Bronya Humphreys [2], a 20-year old mom from England.  She transformed her eczema into works of art with the use of make-up. She fought depression by not wallowing in self-pity and instead decided to accept her eczema. Accepting, embracing, and even celebrating her skin disease has enabled her to convert it into something that gives inspiration.

Learn more about the Power of Trust & Acceptance and the Impact on Eczema.

It’s true – you are not your skin condition.  Accepting your eczema will not only make it easier to treat, but in time you will be able to live comfortably in your own skin.

Do you suffer from stress induced eczema? Let us know in the comments below!

Resources:

  1. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/040317/pre-pregnancy-stress-level-may-lead-to-eczema-in-future-child.html
  2. https://food.ndtv.com/health/pre-pregnancy-stress-may-lead-to-eczema-in-infants-1666091
  3. https://www.oddnaari.in/life/story/this-woman-transforms-her-eczema-into-pieces-of-art-using-make-up-127156-2018-02-05

About the Author

Saif is a Wellness Writer and Digital Marketing Expert at Healthy-Finds.com, a company committed to imparting the knowledge and access that people need for a long and healthy life.  He usually loves to hangouts with rankings and work but when he is not working, he travels most of the time.

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