Stress Can Trigger Skin Gatal, This Is A Medical Explanation And How To Overcome It

Illustration of skin itching due to stress (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Prolonged emotional stress not only has an impact on mental health, but can also cause physical symptoms such as itching on the skin.

While a person is under psychological stress, his body can react in unexpected ways, including through itching sensations or the appearance of rashes that are not caused by allergies or infections.

This reaction occurs because stress triggers an immune and nervous system response, which can cause the release of chemicals such as histamins in the skin.

Reporting from Everyday Health, Adam Friedman, head of the dermatology department at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, stated that although stress is not the cause of direct bidukan or urtikarial, this condition could trigger the emergence of these symptoms in people who are already vulnerable.

"Stress can encourage a person to unconsciously scratch the skin. This persistent friction in the skin can stimulate the release of histaminas, substances that cause itching, redness, and inflammation," he was quoted as saying by ANTARA.

Bidukan and itching can be caused by many factors, including food, cold air, or medicine, but stress worsens his condition and can even become one of the main originators in several cases. Ironically, in addition to being triggered by stress, this condition can also create additional stress due to discomfort and disorders in daily activities.

Sarina Elmariah, a dermatologist from the University of California, San Francisco, says that chronic itching sufferers often experience a decline in quality of life. Residentized itching can make sufferers withdraw from social interactions due to shame or frustration with skin conditions.

In addition, prolonged itching can also interfere with bedtime and cause fatigue, which then has an impact on mood and productivity. This combination of sleep shortages and continuous stress can worsen a person's itching cycle.

Then, what can be done to deal with mild or itching triggered by stress?

The most basic step is to manage stress itself. Although not many studies have specifically examined the relationship between stress management techniques and the reduction of itching symptoms, activities such as yoga, meditation, and exercise have proven effective in reducing skin disease symptoms such as psoriasis and eczema.

Friedman suggests that because these activities have a good impact on the skin in general, it is likely that the benefits will also apply to stress-triggered itching conditions.

Some of the additional strategies recommended for managing stress include getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, maintaining positive social relationships, balancing work and rest, and getting used to positive thinking and being grateful. All of this not only helps reduce skin symptoms, but also brings comprehensive benefits to mental and physical health.

According to Elmariah, a comprehensive approach in managing stress can help reduce the frequency and intensity of the itching you feel. If itching remains annoying even though stress has been controlled, the use of antihistamin drugs can be an effective solution to relieve the symptoms.