The ceaseless itching is enough to drive you bonkers, but it’s the constant game of cover-up that really stresses you out. If you’re like many people living with psoriasis, you know the daily struggle of controlling your symptoms and hiding your patchy skin.
Adding insult to injury, that emotional upheaval exacerbates your psoriasis, creating a cycle of stress and symptoms that’s tough to break.
We’ve got you covered on both counts.
At Sanford Dermatology, our team of physicians and medical professionals specialize in tricky skin conditions and have never met a case of psoriasis they couldn’t treat. When it comes to stress-related psoriasis, we have some information that will help you understand the link better and learn how to break the connection.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, which means your body’s immune system is to blame. It’s attacking your own tissues as if they’re foreign invaders.
Your immune system mounts a defense mechanism that speeds up your skin cells’ growth cycle, so you’re cranking out new skin faster than the old skin dies and falls away.
The result is a build-up of red, itchy, and scaly patches that can appear anywhere on your body. They often come in cycles of remission and flare-ups.
Stress isn’t just a mental state; it has real, physical effects on your body.
When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol and other stress hormones that trigger a “fight or flight” response. In a short burst, this response can help you out of a jam, but if your body stays in that state too long, it can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to various ailments, including psoriasis flare-ups.
As a psoriasis sufferer, you’ve probably noticed that stress and flare-ups often form a vicious cycle. Stress triggers a flare-up, and dealing with a flare-up causes more stress. This cycle makes it tough to manage either condition effectively.
The good news is that studies show that people with high levels of stress are more likely to experience severe psoriasis symptoms and that managing stress with mindfulness and meditation reduces the severity of psoriasis flare-ups.
How do you know if stress is affecting your psoriasis symptoms? The most common signs are:
If you notice these signs, it may be time to focus on stress management techniques.
Managing stress is a highly personal endeavor. What works for one person may not work for another, but once you find what calms you, practice it daily so you can rely on it when you need it most. Here are some effective stress-busters to try:
Mindfulness and meditation are age-old techniques that are regaining popularity. Techniques like deep breathing, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation can lower stress levels.
Exercise is the answer to many physical and emotional issues, so it’s no surprise that it’s a natural stress reliever. Yoga, walking, or swimming can help you manage stress while keeping your body healthy.
Believe it or not, food impacts your stress level, and the inflammation that often goes hand in hand with stress. Combat those reactions by eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and whole grains.
Sometimes, self-care isn’t enough to tamp down the stress. Professional therapists or counselors can provide you with coping strategies for managing stress, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
While stress management is essential, don’t overlook traditional treatments for psoriasis.
We offer several evidence-based treatments that can help you tackle all types of psoriasis. We may recommend:
These treatments, along with lifestyle changes and stress reduction, can help you get a handle on your psoriasis cycles and reclaim your life. Call Sanford Dermatology in Sanford, Pittsboro, or Lillington, North Carolina, to learn more.
