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Stress rash
So I have been having this rash issue for what feels like forever now (really since June or July). The main one is almost gone, but for a while now, I keep getting these small red dot bumps in different places on my body, and then they go away, and then they come back. Well I have had some stressful things happening to me lately and then today even more stress was added on, I had a mini meltdown and then WHAM! the rash started to come back. I didn't think anything about it, but my friend said something to me about a "stress rash". I looked it up online and the pictures resemble what I keep getting. I found pretty much the same definition on websites too:
"Many people want to know why stress might result in a rash, and the answers to this are not as clear-cut. Stress may affect the body’s immune system, which can have an effect on inflammatory response. The reaction may be similar to what occurs when the body responds to a substance to which it is allergic, but in this instance, stress could be considered the allergen. As stress levels rise, so can inflammation and histamine levels. Essentially, some people may be having an allergic response to stress. This causes the telltale signs of stress rash where bumps, red raised skin, and itchiness may cover the body in small to large amounts."
So is this just my immune system doing something else crazy to me? The Crohn's and Alopecia were not enough? All I know is my stomach hurts, I'm bald, and I itch. my favorite was at the end of the article when they said the best thing to do was just, DON'T STRESS! Thanks random google health article...I will get RIGHT on that...
So anyways enough sarcasm from me...has anyone else heard of this? Is it basically just hives? I go to the doctors on the 23rd, but I want to stop itching now. All the eczema and steroid creams in the world are not helping...I have eczema too, so I know that's not what this is... My immune system ROCKS!!! :(
"Many people want to know why stress might result in a rash, and the answers to this are not as clear-cut. Stress may affect the body’s immune system, which can have an effect on inflammatory response. The reaction may be similar to what occurs when the body responds to a substance to which it is allergic, but in this instance, stress could be considered the allergen. As stress levels rise, so can inflammation and histamine levels. Essentially, some people may be having an allergic response to stress. This causes the telltale signs of stress rash where bumps, red raised skin, and itchiness may cover the body in small to large amounts."
So is this just my immune system doing something else crazy to me? The Crohn's and Alopecia were not enough? All I know is my stomach hurts, I'm bald, and I itch. my favorite was at the end of the article when they said the best thing to do was just, DON'T STRESS! Thanks random google health article...I will get RIGHT on that...
So anyways enough sarcasm from me...has anyone else heard of this? Is it basically just hives? I go to the doctors on the 23rd, but I want to stop itching now. All the eczema and steroid creams in the world are not helping...I have eczema too, so I know that's not what this is... My immune system ROCKS!!! :(
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Angie P on
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Sorry to hear that you are suffering Tamara. I've been extremely lucky in that the Desonide** lotion works very well for me. Hmmmm, I've never paid attention to any pattern of when my rashes appear, so I've never made any connection to stress. All I know is that if a rash shows up on my body I had better get it handled or my scalp will start going nuts.
The other thing that has worked for me, though not as well as the Desonide, is a polysaccharide powder mixed with water applied directly to the itchy parts. My neighbor gave it to me. It kept me sane until my Rx got filled.
But, if you are pretty sure that stress is the trigger as opposed to an environmental allergen, you may wish to try a different approach along side the conventional medications. I've had good results with yoga and other exercises in the morning. I've also heard that meditation, biofeedback, and pranayama breathing are also helpful for managing stress.
Doesn't hurt to approach it from two angles. And if you're willing to go a little further into the "alternative" arena, an integrative medicine specialist may be worth a try. They look at your body as a whole and work towards balancing you and fixing the cause of the problem as opposed to just treating the symptoms.
I wish I had better advice. I know how bad that itching can be. :(
**Desonide = 0.05% corticosteroid lotion
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Permalink Reply by Diana Carter on
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I totally get what you are saying about being told NOT to stress! Ha! If my hair loss = my stress level...I should be bald very soon as well! Hang in there!
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Permalink Reply by Marisa on
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Yeah...I hate the fact that everyone has said you did this to yourself by stressing out too much in the last two years...yeah, loss of job after 18 years, death of 23 year old step son, divorce (another), selling everything I owned including my dream house, moving across country to live on the 3rd floor of my parents house isn't stressful...that and going from 50K a year job to 10K a year job.....well it aint fatal right...omg....I LOVE MY IMMUNE SYSTEM TOO...xoxoxo but at least we are still laughing a bit right!!! Hang in there =0)
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Wow! That's alot to go through Marisa! I'm so sorry!
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Permalink Reply by caroline knight on
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i was getin this and i have excema 2 i ended up using anihistamine cream 4 bites dat worked then i descoverd alo vera gel this works great i also went on decaffinatted tea ........much less ov a stess head now! wel worth a try if u r a coffe n tea addict like me my family have noticed how much carmer i am n so have i :@)
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dont take wrong i ment i can stay calmer easier than wen i was drinking caffeene all day much easier thru all the things dat life has been throwin at me even tho caffeene a small thing it has helped givin it up ! x
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