Anxiety might be a mental condition, but that doesn't mean it only affects the mind. In fact, there is a strong connection between anxiety disorders and a wide variety of physical symptoms!
One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety is itchiness. This can include a red rash with raised welts or no visible signs at all! Although anxiety-induced itching is common, there are some tried and true methods of managing it.
In this guide, we’ll go over how stress and itching are related and what you can do to find relief.
Does Anxiety Cause Itching?
Anxiety can cause all kinds of physical symptoms, from stomach pain to headaches. One of these is itchiness.
When you’re chronically stressed, your body triggers your fight-or-flight response. This sends histamine and cortisol production soaring. These hormones stimulate the nervous system and cause widespread itching.
It’s not the only way that anxiety and itchy skin can be related. People who already suffer from certain skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis may find their flare ups correlate with periods of stress.
Psychological distress also heightens certain physical sensations, which means you may be more sensitive to how your skin feels — especially if it is uncomfortable.
Why Do I Get Itchy When Stressed?
Let’s dive a bit deeper into the ways that stress can lead to itchiness. There are several causes of anxiety-induced itching. Each of these has a unique cause, so they may require different treatments.
Hormone Fluctuations
When you’re stressed, your body releases a flood of chemicals designed to help you cope. These play an important role, but when stress becomes chronic, higher-than-average levels of these hormones can trigger sensitivity and inflammation.
Existing Skin Conditions
If you have an existing skin condition, stress and flare-ups can become a vicious cycle of itch and anxiety. Psoriasis, eczema, and other conditions cause discomfort and anxiety, leading to more stress, which leads back to worsening skin. Treatments for such conditions often need to be dual in treating both the physical and mental effects and break the cycle.
Anxiety Stimming
Sometimes stress and anxiety have a simpler connection. Some people develop certain sensory stims or fidgets as a coping mechanism during times of high stress. If these involve picking at, scratching, or rubbing the skin, it can aggravate your skin long-term.
Anxiety-Induced Skin Thinning
Heightened stress levels also reduce the amount of collagen and elastin in your skin. These proteins help skin stay healthy and rejuvenate. Without the needed levels of collagen and elastin, your skin may become thin, brittle, dry, or irritated.
Heightened Sensitivity
Psychological stress can also weaken your skin’s natural barrier that protects against allergens and irritants. When this happens, you may become more sensitive to these substances. This also happens because stress hormones overstimulate nerve endings, causing them to react more strongly to stimuli.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety-Related Itching
So how are you supposed to know if your itching is related to stress or if there’s another underlying cause?
Diagnosis can be a challenge, but these symptoms may provide clues to guide you in the right direction.
Anxiety-induced itching usually involves:
-
Itching at random, with no obvious cause
-
Flare-ups during times of tension or during panic attacks
-
Itching or irritation on the face, arms, chest, legs, or scalp
-
Hives or a red rash that appear suddenly, with raised welts — alternatively, there may be no visible irritation at the site of itchiness
-
A burning sensation along with itch
-
A rash that appears and then disappears within 24 hours
-
Skin dryness, flakiness, or general irritation
How to Differentiate Between Anxiety Itching and Medical Conditions
How do you know if your chronic itching is related to stress or if there is a more serious underlying medical condition?
Usually, itching caused by a medical condition has a clear trigger and involves other symptoms. Contact dermatitis, for example, is an allergic skin reaction. This usually develops quickly after exposure to certain soaps, fragrances, cleaners, cosmetics, or metals. It often causes a bright red rash with fluid-filled blisters that itch or burn. Hives are also usually associated with an allergic reaction.
Conditions like eczema, on the other hand, include severe irritation as well as thickened skin, pus, and extreme dryness or flakiness.
In general, flare-ups related to stress may have minimal to no visible symptoms and usually go away within about 24 hours. They also don't always have a clear external trigger.
How to Treat Anxiety-Induced Itching
Chronic itching can cause a lot of discomfort and psychological distress, especially when there is no obvious external cause. So what should you do to treat anxiety-induced itching and get some relief?
Short-Term Relief
If you are experiencing a flare-up, there are a few things you can do to get quick, short-term relief.
-
Cool compresses on the affected area provide a cooling effect and reduce irritation.
-
Soothing, fragrance-free lotions designed to tackle skin irritation, dryness, and itching.
-
Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and meditation to help lower your anxiety level so as not to exacerbate skin irritation.
Long-Term Management
For some people, anxiety and itching may not be a long-term problem. But if flare-ups happen regularly and are affecting your quality of life, long-term treatments can help.
Your doctor may recommend:
-
Lifestyle changes to help you feel calmer and reduce the risk of flare-ups. These might include a new exercise routine, mindfulness practices, or sleep routine adjustments. It may take some trial and error to learn what methods make you feel better day to day.
-
Skincare routine adjustments -- Even if your skin irritation is related to your mental state, topical treatments can help soothe irritation. Using gentle, fragrance-free products or ones designed for sensitive skin may help reduce discomfort.
-
Behavioral therapy or counseling may help reduce your anxiety. Your therapist may also recommend medication like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants.
When to See a Doctor
If you're experiencing long-term skin irritation, it may be a sign of a serious medical condition. Itchiness should improve with basic self-care adjustments. If it persists despite these, it's time to see a doctor to rule out anything more concerning.
If the itchiness is accompanied by hives, swelling, or a rash, make it a priority to visit a dermatologist. They can help pinpoint the cause of the irritation, providing you with quick relief.
Conclusion
If you have chronic skin irritation, it may be related to your anxiety levels. It might seem like a problem that will never go away, but the good news is that finding relief is possible.
In a case like this, taking care of your mental health may also help you feel better physically. Schedule an appointment with a counselor to discuss therapy or medication, depending on your needs.
Dermeleve® is a safe and effective solution to managing stress-related itchiness. Free from steroids and formulated for sensitive skin, Dermeleve® provides effective relief no matter what is causing your discomfort.
Visit our product page to learn more!
FAQ
Q: What is the relationship between anxiety and itching?
A: The relationship between anxiety and itching is complex and multifaceted. Stress and heightened anxiety levels can lead to a phenomenon known as psychological stress, which may exacerbate feelings of itchy skin.
In many cases, individuals experiencing high levels of anxiety may report an increase in itching sensations, leading to a cycle of itch and anxiety. This vicious cycle can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, as the discomfort from itching can further increase anxiety levels.
Q: What are the common causes of itching related to anxiety?
A: There are several potential causes of itching that are linked to anxiety. For instance, the body's stress response can trigger nerve endings in the skin, resulting in sensations of burning or itching.
Certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, can also be aggravated by stress and anxiety. A study found that patients with atopic dermatitis often have higher levels of anxiety, suggesting that anxiety and itchy skin are closely associated.
Overall, anxiety may induce itching through both physiological and psychological mechanisms.
Q: How does anxiety affect the nervous system in relation to itching?
A: When experiencing anxiety, the nervous system is activated, which can lead to various physical symptoms, including itchiness. The heightened state of alertness can cause the release of stress hormones, which may worsen sensations of itchy skin or lead to a vicious cycle of itch and anxiety.
This includes a response where the more one itches, the more anxiety they experience.