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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on October 30, 2010, at 11:38:10
This past couple of weeks I was under incredible pressure at work to meet a deadline, including very little sleep this past week. I was tense and anxious.
The sides of my fingers on my right hand were so dry that they were cracking. My fingertips and palm were lined and wrinkled. I was noticing that, and thinking that age was starting to catch up with me. I put cream on my finger now and again, but mostly forgot.
The deadline was met yesterday and it was high on my to do list this morning to get aggressive about using cream.
Lo and behold, my fingertips and palms are back to their usual plump and pink condition. The cracks are no longer open and healing seems rapid. All between last night and this morning.
I know I'd been hydrating adequately during the period of stress. I was really careful about that. In fact, I was up to the bathroom several times last night as I apparently shed all the fluids I had stored up during that two week period.
Does anyone know what it is that stress does to skin? Or what it does to fluid retention, for that matter?
Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2010, at 12:42:44
In reply to Stress and skin, posted by Dinah on October 30, 2010, at 11:38:10
Seriously I get an eczema like line from only my left ear under my neck that is red and itchy and flaky I use a cortisone cream from a dermatologist. As for dry skin I've not had that happen to me and I know it's more humid there or was. But I do more than feel I know stress affects the skin oh and my hair falls out more when under the constant stress I am. But usually cold weather causes dry hands strange. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2010, at 12:50:33
In reply to Stress and skin, posted by Dinah on October 30, 2010, at 11:38:10
Well I'll be darn it does do what happened to you also this is from Dematological Website. Not all applicable but you will see hair, nails, skin all mentioned. Phillipa
Stress and SkinHome Media Stress and SkinHow the Mind Matters to Your Skin
How we feel on the inside could be affecting how we look on the outside. In fact, studies link factors that impact our emotional well-being such as stress, depression and anxiety to an increase in skin, hair or nail problems. Dermatologist and clinical psychologist Richard G. Fried, MD, PhD, FAAD, of Yardley, Pa., explains the reciprocal relationship between feelings and appearance:
Psychodermatology Interventions◦Stress can manifest itself on one's appearance in many ways, but primarily by making the skin more sensitive and more reactive.
For example, stress can make psoriasis or rosacea worse, result in acne lesions that are more inflamed and more persistent, cause brittle nails and ridging of the nails, cause hair loss, cause or worsen hives, and cause excessive perspiration.
Stress also is a known trigger or can be a worsening factor for fever blisters, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and has even been shown to impair skin barrier function and dehydrate the skin allowing more irritants, allergens, and infectious agents to penetrate the skin and cause problems.
◦Beyond the direct physiological effects of stress, patients under stress also tend to neglect or abuse their skin. For example, they often lack the energy and motivation to adhere to their skin care regimens, and there also might be signs of stress-related behaviors such as scratching, pulling or rubbing that can exacerbate problems.
◦Traditional dermatologic therapies should be used in conjunction with appropriate stress management therapies to successfully treat stress-related dermatologic conditions.
When dermatologists treat both the skin and stress, the skin often clears more quickly and completely as the influences of stress are diminished. This, in turn, can help decrease a patient's overall anxiety level, and the patient may start to feel better about how they look and how they feel emotionally.
◦On a microscopic level, stress reduction can decrease the release of pro-inflammatory stress hormones and chemicals. For example, release of neuropeptides (or stress chemicals released from the nerve endings) can be reduced with stress management techniques. This often results in skin that looks and functions better.
These interventions can reduce blood vessel over-activity, resulting in less blushing or flushing.
◦With accurate diagnosis by a dermatologist, effective treatments improve the appearance and function of the skin. This alone can substantially reduce patients' stress and improve their skin, hair and nail conditions. However, if stress is clearly interfering with patients' overall well-being and ability to cope, simultaneous stress management interventions are warranted. In some instances, referral to a mental health professional may be necessary.
Cosmetic Interventions◦While skin rejuvenation procedures have been shown to significantly improve a person's outward appearance, studies suggest these types of cosmetic interventions also can have positive effects on how people feel and how they function.
When people feel more attractive and more confident in their appearance, they tend to perform better in other areas of their lives in their work, family life, social life, and marriage or personal relationships.
Under the right circumstances, cosmetic procedures can be a powerful ally, but it's important for patients to understand that these procedures are not a panacea.
◦In a 2008 study designed to measure the positive ripple effects of botulinum toxin injections on other aspects of patients' lives, Dr. Fried found that patients treated with botulinum toxin clearly experienced substantial benefits. His key findings include:
29 percent reported feeling less anxious
36 percent said they feel more relaxed
49 percent were more optimistic
◦A previous study conducted by Dr. Fried evaluating the clinical and psychological effects of the use of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) found that patients demonstrated significant improvements in facial skin tone and fine wrinkling, and reported satisfaction with their physical appearance and the quality of their interpersonal relationships.
For more information on the effects of stress on skin, hair and nails, visit the American Academy of Dermatology's website at www.aad.org.
Posted by Dinah on October 30, 2010, at 13:18:59
In reply to Re: Stress and skin » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2010, at 12:42:44
Hmmm... My hair is falling out too, at higher than normal levels.
I worry about female baldness.
During periods of high stress, my blood sugar goes way down too.
So in periods of high stress, my blood sugar goes down, my hair falls out, my skin gets dry, and I retain water.
I need to avoid periods of high stress. I'm getting too old for all that.
Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2010, at 13:23:48
In reply to Re: Stress and skin » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on October 30, 2010, at 13:18:59
I honestly didn't know any of this. So as I sure am getting older I think I'll dig a hole and hide from stress. But isn't it amazing how the whole body works in concert? Oh my hair is also falling out attributed that to thyroid and the ridging verticle in my nails just read is old age:( Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on October 30, 2010, at 13:31:29
In reply to Re: Stress and skin » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2010, at 13:23:48
I'm thisclose to calling my doctor and begging for hormone replacement therapy. She didn't want to put me on it because of a history of breast cancer in my family (paternal grandmother) and my migraines.
But I don't think I'm strong enough to go through menopause. I don't know how women do it. I'll bet the stress this year is worse because of perimenopause.
Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2010, at 21:37:31
In reply to Re: Stress and skin » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on October 30, 2010, at 13:31:29
I am not lying when I say that perimenopause started all my problems. Yes did have very controllable not noticable anxiety before but menopause put me over the top. I am currently seeing a doctor that was an ob-gyn and ran the hospital's here osteoporosis clinic. He is now into bioidentical hormones and I'm one them he has them compounded based on my blood work of hormones and thyroid. Dr Ronald L Brown Charlotte NC google and his website carolinahealthspan.com and has a book you can now order from his website. Check it out and avoid what I went through and am still trying to recover from. Phillipa and let me know what you think if you do google. Phillipa
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