Don't Stress Out Over Skin

We're used to hearing that stress can have a negative impact on our health in all manner of ways.

From insomnia to heightened blood pressure, there are whole host of ways in which stress can harm our health, both physical and mental, without us even knowing. But the effect that stress can have on our appearance often receives less attention.

And yet there are a number of common skin complaints which can be linked to our stress levels. Here's a look at the possible problems along with how to tackle them.

• Psoriasis: Around one in 50 people suffer from this skin condition which causes thickened patches of red, inflamed skin which are often covered by silvery scales. A minority of sufferers also have stiff and painful joints. It's believed the immune system is primarily responsible for causing psoriasis, but stress can be one of the triggers, and the treatment includes steroid creams, moisturizers or tar preparations. 
• Acne: Most people suffer from acne at some point in their lives, most commonly in their teens, but in some people it can persist into middle age, requiring treatment. It's caused by the sebaceous glands in our skin creating too much oil for our pores to cope with, so they become blocked, resulting in spots. Stress can create a hormone imbalance which can lead to this, but there are a range of effective treatments from over-the-counter peroxide creams to Roaccutane, which is only prescribed by dermatologists. 
• Eczema: This common inflammation of the skin leads to itching and sometimes scaling or blisters. It's most commonly regarded as an allergic reaction and is linked with hay fever and asthma, but it can be triggered by stress. Moisturizers can be used to stop the skin becoming dry, while steroids, either in the form of a cream or taken orally in bad cases, can be used to stop the itching. 
• Dryness: While stress can lead to your glands producing too much oil, it can also lead to the opposite problem by eating away at fat reserves, leaving your skin dry and dehydrated. If this happens, moisturizers containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerincan be used to treat it. 
• Wrinkles: Wrinkles are known as worry lines and living a stressful life will inevitably leave your skin looking older as your body produces more cortisol to combat the anxiety. That in turn increases the sugar levels in your blood, weakening the collagen in your skin. The best way to combat it is to look for skin products that are designed to protect collagen production in your skin, such as retinol and peptides. 
• Flushes: Sometimes flushes can be a result of stress as it makes your body release chemicals which enlarges your blood vessels, leaving your skin looking red. This, in turn, can lead to unsightly thread veins so calm your skin down by using creams designed to getrid of redness. They often include ingredients such as camomile. 
• Puffiness: Puffy eyes is a sign of tiredness, and it can happen as the result of long period of stress. That stress can lead to your body eliminating waste products less efficiently, which can result in puffy skin. To remedy the problem, creams with peptides can be used. 
• Itching: Also known as pruritus, an itch can be caused by various things, from an allergy to an infection, but stress is one possible trigger, with the condition being caused by the stimulation of nerve endings in the skin. Calamine, menthol and camphor lotions can help, as can mild steroid creams in some cases.