Stress is often seen as a mental or emotional problem, but its impact is clearly affecting the body, especially the skin. Doctors are increasingly recognizing the close connection between the skin and the brain, explaining why prolonged stress can trigger dermatitis such as eczema and psoriasis.
According to Dr. Ruben Bhasin Passi, a dermatologist consultant at CK Birla Hospital (Gurugram, India), chronic stress disrupts the immune system, hormones and inflammatory responses in the body. These changes directly affect the skin's protective barriers, making the skin more easily irritated and damaged.
What is the connection between skin and brain?
Skin and the nervous system are closely connected through immune and hormone signals. When the brain senses stress, the body releases cortisol and related hormones. In the short term, this reaction helps the body adapt. However, if stress lasts, increased levels of stress hormones will cause immune imbalance, increase inflammation and make the skin sensitive.
How does stress affect the skin?
Prolonged stress can lead to:
Increased inflammation in the body
Weakened skin protective barrier
Reduced moisture retention
Make skin more sensitive
Slow wound healing
Why does eczema easily break out when stressed?
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is clearly affected by psychological factors. When stressed, the skin's protective barrier is weakened, itching sensation increases, and immune response becomes excessive. Lack of sleep due to stress also worsens inflammation, making the skin red, dry, and irritated.
Stress and psoriasis
Psoriasis is a dermatitis related to immune disorders. Stress is considered a common trigger. When stress is prolonged, immune cells are overactive, speeding up the regeneration of skin cells, leading to thick, red and characteristic peeling patches of skin.
Role of cortisol
Cortisol is the main hormone released during stress. If maintained at a high level for a long time, this hormone can thin the skin, increase dehydration through the skin, slow healing and increase the risk of infection.
In addition to eczema and psoriasis, chronic stress can also cause dry skin, acne, urticaria, or slower skin recovery than normal.
