Can Stress Cause Rash Symptoms on Your Face?

Medically reviewed by Dakari Quimby, PhD

Facial rashes, characterized by discoloration, hives, swelling, and itching, can occur for many reasons. Stress can activate an immune response and contribute to new or worsening facial rashes.

This article will discuss the link between facial rashes and stress, provide an overview of stress-induced rash symptoms, and offer options for treating and managing sudden and chronic rashes.

Facial Rash and Stress: What's the Link?

Stress impacts various physical and mental health issues. When you experience stress, your stress response system—known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA)—and autonomic nervous system (ANS) create an immune system response to try to attack the perceived threat, causing a number of potential reactions.

The skin has its own HPA axis that activates the immune system under stress, leading to physical reactions like facial rashes.

For some people, psychological stress can also worsen current skin conditions like:

• Eczema: An inflammatory skin condition that can cause itchiness or changes to skin texture or color.

• Hives: A skin reaction with a sudden onset characterized by intensely itchy, discolored, raised bumps or patches of skin.

• Psoriasis: An autoimmune skin condition that causes patches of skin to become scaly or inflamed.

• Rosacea: An inflammatory skin condition that causes facial flushing, which can progress to a rash, visible blood vessels, skin thickening, and eye irritation.

• Vitiligo: An autoimmune condition that causes the skin to lose pigment, resulting in areas patches of skin that appear lighter than your natural skin color.

• Acne: A skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become plugged and bacteria begins to grow, developing into a pimple or cyst.

• Alopecia areata: An autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing patches of hair to fall out.

Stress is also compounded by other life situations, such as a lack of sleep, which can add to the immune system response and cause or worsen skin rashes.

Perceived vs. Actual Stress

Research shows that perceived stress causes worse skin reactions than actual stressful events. Anticipating a stressful situation allows more time to think and brings in past similar experiences, thus causing more adverse reactions.

Related: How to Identify and Treat a Stress Rash

Rash Symptoms on the Face From Stress

Facial rashes can look different in different people and situations. Some common symptoms of a stress rash on the face include:

• Visible discoloration or redness

• Burning or stinging sensation

• Swelling in small or large areas of the face

• Itching

• Pain

• Dryness or scaling

These symptoms usually occur on the face but can also be located on other body parts. Facial rashes from stress often have symptoms similar to those of different skin conditions, such as dermatitis, rosacea, and psoriasis. A healthcare provider can help distinguish between acute (short-term) stress-related symptoms and those due to other illnesses.

Related: Alphabetical List of Common Rashes and Their Causes

Mental Illness and Skin Disease

There is a significant connection between skin disease and depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The relationship between mental illness and skin diseases—a field known as "psychodermatology" is an emerging area of research and practice in the United States. While complex, researchers categorize the connection into one of three categories:

• Skin problems exacerbated by stress or psychological problems

• Psychological problems that result from skin disorders

• Psychiatric disorders that manifest via the skin

How to Treat Sudden Stress Rash

Acute skin stress may cause reactions that last minutes or hours but don't typically continue for over a week. When a facial rash appears suddenly, treatment should aim to decrease symptoms. This can include:

• Use a moisturizer with calming ingredients, especially if you are stinging or in pain.

• Use mild cleansers to keep the skin clean.

• Opt for moisturizing cosmetics that do not contain harsh chemicals or ingredients.
  

Managing Chronic Rash or Hives

Skin rashes can be caused or worsened by internal and external factors, including psychological stress, environmental stressors like cold or pollution, and habits like nutrition and sleep.

When these stressors are not managed, skin conditions like rashes and hives can become chronic and require long-term management. You can manage rashes and hives by addressing the symptoms and making lifestyle adjustments.

Managing Rash Symptoms

You can manage rash symptoms by keeping your skin clean and using gentle skincare products. Contact a healthcare provider for support with long-term rash management. Symptoms differ from person to person, and a healthcare provider can work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan.

You can use medications, such as antihistamines or anti-itch lotions, to treat specific symptoms, like itching. Over-the-counter medications usually will not make a rash go away but can help alleviate the discomfort associated with the rash. Check with a healthcare provider before starting any new medication.

Rash From Allergic Reaction

Allergic reactions can cause a sudden rash with hives, swelling, or itchiness. Seek immediate medical attention if you have a rash with:

• Mouth or throat swelling

• Difficulty swallowing

• Light-headedness

• Dizziness

• Heart racing

Lifestyle Changes

Some behaviors can worsen chronic rashes and hives. The following can help with rash management:

• Getting enough sleep each night

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet

• Exercising regularly

• Limiting alcohol use

• Wearing sunscreen on your face each day

• Avoiding spending prolonged periods in polluted areas

• Avoiding spending prolonged periods in harsh temperatures that are very hot or very cold

• Limiting spicy foods

When Stress Isn't Causing Face Rashes

The skin is your body's first line of defense against potential threats to the body; it is often the first thing to respond when physical or psychological stress occurs. These stressors can cause damage to the skin, which leads to problems, including:

• Dryness

• Hives

• Skin color changes

• Slow wound recovery

• Acne

• Premature aging

• Itching

• Hair loss

• Oily, waxy, or flaky skin patches

• Scaly skin

• Rash on body areas other than the face, such as the hands

Stress is not the only cause of skin rashes. Contact a medical provider if skin symptoms develop suddenly, don't show signs of improvement after several days or after the stressor has passed, or cause discomfort, pain, or other concerns. A mental health provider can help with managing stress and mental illness symptoms.

Related: A Guide to Which Rashes You Should Worry About

Summary

Stress is a common cause of facial rashes, which can bring about symptoms including eczema, hives, psoriasis, and rosacea. You can manage sudden rashes by keeping the area clean and moisturized, avoiding harsh chemicals, and taking over-the-counter medications.

Chronic rashes may require lifestyle changes like getting more sleep, modifying your diet, and avoiding harsh environmental conditions. A healthcare provider can help you determine the cause of facial rashes and provide treatment options.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.