A link has been found between skin rashes and severe stress

Stress is a natural response to perceived threats and can be beneficial to health to some extent because it releases essential hormones, such as DHEA and oxytocin, that motivate people to better cope with certain aspects of life, including social relationships. According to Allina Health, when people experience too much stress for too long, levels of the stress hormone cortisol rise and can trigger a more active immune system response and make the skin more sensitive.

As CNN tells it, stress-related rashes typically cause an outbreak of hives—persistent, raised, itchy bumps—and are common. For those who suffer from other skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea and psoriasis, stress can trigger extreme flare-ups.

While you may not realize how stress affects your skin until it’s too late, there are preventative ways to avoid recurring stress breakouts and ways to treat hives if you already have them, CNN notes.

“In most cases, the lay term ‘stress rash’ refers to ‘urticaria’ or what a medical professional would call ‘urticaria,'” says Dr. Whitney High, professor and director of dermatopathology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. According to a September 2022 study, cholinergic urticaria is a rash that develops during emotional stress or after eating hot or spicy foods.

Stress urticaria can occur in response to increased body temperature caused by stress. The skin condition can also develop due to increased levels of histamine, a chemical produced by your immune system in response to certain triggers, leading to hives or scarring, notes Dr. Lauren Ploch, a board-certified dermatologist in Augusta, Georgia, and a fellow of the American Academy. Dermatological Association.

If hives start, a visit to your doctor may be a good idea, as hives can also be caused by changing your laundry detergent, shampoo or soap, changing your diet, or other factors. Ruling out these possible factors will help determine if stress is the cause in the first place.

“While we as dermatologists recognize that hives can be caused by stress, this is not our ‘first choice,'” Dr. High emphasizes. “If we can’t find any other cause for hives, then it’s reasonable to consider stress.”

Sometimes, with prolonged stress, this condition can develop into neurodermatitis, which is a seemingly never-ending cycle of scratching that causes the skin to become itchier with each scratch, notes Whitney High.

According to Scripps Health, stress rashes appear as swollen red bumps that can appear all over the body, but most often on the face, neck, chest or arms. The bumps can range in size from tiny dots to large scars, and sometimes form in clusters, Whitney High says.

Hives occur suddenly and can last from just a day to several weeks, but the lesions always migrate, High notes.

Hives cause constant itching and can sometimes cause a burning sensation. According to Lauren Ploch, stress rashes are sometimes accompanied by swelling of the eyelids or lips.

The best cure for stress rash is to prevent it altogether, but don’t panic if your skin starts to itch after a hard day at work, CNN notes.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, about 20% of people will suffer from hives at some point in their lives. In most cases, hives can be treated with oral antihistamines, but they may even go away on their own once the underlying cause is treated. For stress-related rashes, stress-reduction techniques such as relaxation, meditation and other similar cognitive therapies may be appropriate, Dr. High says.

And to relieve the swelling and itching of a rash, Dr. Ploch said, taking a cold shower or immersing yourself in cold water can help, and she recommended avoiding hot foods, alcohol, and hot baths and saunas, which can irritate the rash. It’s also important not to scratch, as this can make the itching worse and spread harmful bacteria, Scripps Health says.

While stress is a natural reaction, when too much begins to take a toll on your physical health, it may be time to change your daily routine. The World Health Organization recommends stress-reduction tactics including staying in touch with close friends and family and maintaining a daily schedule that allows time for meals, exercise and recreational activities.

“Long-term stress prevention can be achieved through a healthy diet, adequate sleep and moderate exercise,” advises Dr. Ploch. “Additionally, immediate stress reduction techniques such as meditation or breathing techniques may be helpful.”