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

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Is Eczema Curable? So What Can Cure Eczema

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.

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:

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.

The post Eczema and Stress: Are They Related? Learn to Calm Your Mind and Skin appeared first on itchylittleworld.com.

itchylittleworld.com

Information Related to Eczema in Children

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Is Eczema Curable? So What Can Cure Eczema

Eczema is one of the most typical skin diseases which have been increasing fast in the past few years. Eczema in children is a common problem of the skin compared to adults. It can cause swelling, redness and itching skin. In the event of mild eczema in children, the condition decreases when they become teenagers, but in some instances the child is stuck with it for their whole life. The particular causes for eczema are yet to be discovered. But the great news is that tests have established to be positive where the eczema treatment is concerned.

Eczema has been monitored to be caused by allergens which could be internal or external. The inside sources result in the problem being generated while the external allergens result in an stress of the same. After the eczema in children is formed it well-advised for harsh materials not to brush next to the sensitive condition of the skin. Many of the materials include woolen clothing, detergents, soaps, pollen among many others. At times parents are misled to assuming that the diet may be the main reason for eczema in children. Yet it is very risky to put limitation on the child’s diet as it may hamper the latter’s growth. A better choice would be to engage in allergy tests which would provide a clearer picture.

The good news is that there are several medications which can be undertaken for eczema in children. An important factor to take would be to find out if the child is delicate to any specific food item. The probable ones could contain chocolate, soy, wheat, tomatoes, dairy products; tomatoes etc. Elimination of that particular product may be undertaken. Moreover one would must wait for a couple of weeks to see any improvements since internal problems take time to get changed. After that the child would require help to boost food digestion. It would help in better performance of the digestive system since the all the waste items and toxins would be taken away. Probiotics and dairy free yogurts can be used for the same.

Moreover dietary supplements need to be given to the child. It works well to supply the child with their daily allowances of fatty acids. Finally there are several lotions and creams together with home and traditional remedies which prove beneficial as eczema treatment.

The previously mentioned techniques work very well for eczema in children. People must get hold of the complete picture and perform as per the doctor’s suggestions.

Eczema in toddlers has grown into a cause for concern. You are in the right place! Check out How To Treat Eczema Naturally and you can find great procedures for eczema treatment.