eczema and stress?

[newholidayx2]

anyone ever have eczema from stress?

 

[Christine]

anyone ever have eczema from stress?

Not me, but my son has eczema and we he gets scared/stressed etc he breaks out rapidly. It's amazing.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Yes, I got it on my hands during my first year of college. Never had it before or since then.

 

[Serena]

I've got it and the doctor says it's from stress. I don't agree, but we don't know what caused it to start.

 

[lulugirl]

Dd and I both get mild eczema on occasion, usually during a stressful time. Cure'l lotion takes care of it, for a more severe case you probably would need something stronger.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

DW gets this rarely.

 

[rosiebean]

YES! I first developed a mild case a few years ago after starting a new job at a place that had a horrible office culture while also house-hunting in an extremely tight housing market. The mild case went crazy when things at work went from bad to horrendous while we were trying to close on a house. The house had be painted before we could close, but the bank screwed up and didn't tell us until a month before closing, too late to find a contractor, so hubby and I painted the house BY OURSELVES. It was a private sale, we were buying from a family friend who was in her 80s. Her son was basically taking care of her part of the closing, and he was a huge procrastinator who thought that the bank's stipulation that the termite damage to the basement stairs needed to be repaired before closing was some minor detail that he could PUT OFF UNTIL AFTER CLOSING. ARGH!!!!!!! I still get stressed out thinking about that month. There was no respite, work sucked and every free moment away from work was taken up by painting or trying to get the son to FOLLOW THE BANK'S INSTRUCTIONS (my only free time was my twenty minute bath every night, where I sat soaking my tired, swollen hands -- from scraping the peeling paint, which was awful -- while downing vodka and trying not the cry from the stress). I still have eczema today, though things are not nearly as stressful, and I have to say that our house is just beautiful...so glad we managed to pull it off in the end.

 

[NAB]

Yes I get it on my hands. Doctor said it could be from being stressed even as far back as two weeks and shows up now. My comes and goes all the time.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I have mild psoriasis and I definitely get outbreaks that are directly related to stress.

I just saw the doctor for it this morning, as matter of fact. I have a new patch on the palm of my hand. Can't say I've had it there before!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am no expert. But, something comes to mind.
I think that there is possibly an INdirect link.

Excema is kind of like an allergic dermatitis.
My son has skin that is prone to this.

As you know, one thing to put on this type of inflamation is Cortisone cream. This is an anti-inflammatory.

Well, during times of stress, your body is producing huge amounts of cortisol to handle the stress. This is common knowledge. I would say that if your Adrenal Glands are not keeping up with the demand for Cortisol during a very stressful time, then that would mean low cortisol levels left available for the body to handle a pre-existing disposition for excema.

In other words, the stress is not directly causing the breakout, but is 'allowing' the breakout to kick in, where usually it is under control.

Okay, I know that is a lot of rambling.
But, I hope it makes sense!!!

 

[golfgal]

My boys have it but it is related to their asthma not stress. Head and Shoulder's shampoo works great. I learned that on DIS, tried it and it WORKS. The dr also says to you hydrocortisone cream. DON'T use Elidel, which works great but it is linked to increased risk of skin cancer.

 

[Christine]

My boys have it but it is related to their asthma not stress. Head and Shoulder's shampoo works great. I learned that on DIS, tried it and it WORKS. The dr also says to you hydrocortisone cream. DON'T use Elidel, which works great but it is linked to increased risk of skin cancer.

golfgal--do you put the Head and Shoulders on their body?

Also, how specifically is the eczema related to their asthma only? I know that kids with eczema are usually deemed "atopic" which means "asthma, allergies, and eczema". That is my son to a "T"; however, if he gets worked up over something his eczema will pop up.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Christine, you are right...
These things are all sensitivity/immune related inflammation.
I am thinking that the Cortisol levels may be part of the trigger that is related to stress. My son's Dermatologist said that it was key to keep his overall histamine levels down.

Interesting about the Dandruff Shampoo!
Okay, I just looked these things up, and Head and Shoulders active ingredient seems to be a type of Zinc compound.

Desitin, baby rash ointment also contains a Zinc Compound.

[From the Desitin Web-Site: Desitin Original ointment is specifically formulated with 40% zinc oxide in a base that contains Norwegian cod liver oil, lanolin and petrolatum to treat diaper rash and provide long-lasting protection. Desitin Creamy ointment is a lighter 10% zinc oxide formula that glides on smoothly, wipes off gently, and has a fresh scent.]

I am thinking that I might want to try the ointments first, since shampoo also has chemicals and detergents that my son would be sensitive too. Also, key to controlling excema is keeping the skin hydrated and lubricated. So, I think the idea of using Desitin on Excema might actually work??? Especially in addition to the cortisone cream.

Has anyone tried this???

I can remember one thread here on the DIS where several people recommended Vaseline for severe atopic dermatitis in there little babies and toddlers. I know that I had a severe allergic reaction once, and my whole face broke out bad enough that it actually peeled. Oil/Vaseline was the ONLY thing that I could put on it that didn't sting and burn!

 

[Christine]

I am thinking that the Cortisol levels may be part of the trigger that is related to stress. My son's Dermatologist said that it was key to keep his overall histamine levels down.

So how are you accomplishing this (keeping the histamine levels down in relation to cortisol)?

 

[Wishing on a star]

Good question Christine.

Of course the histamines are what the body produces when the autoimmune system responds to sensitivities/allergens/etc... The Cortisol is a natural antihistimine. (Note: in severe outbreaks of athsma, atopic dermatitis, allergic reactions, etc.. the doctors will often prescribe Cortisone, even oral cortison such as prednisone tablets)

Now, this is not a huge ongoing problem for me anymore. And, while my son is prone to stress, he seems to have a healthy adrenal system, so his atopic issues do not seem to be affected. But, here is my take. In order to keep histimine levels down, be aware of all sensitivities and triggers and avoid them as much as humanly possible. In other words, things can have a cumulative effect. If possible, do everything to treat any treatable issues, such as seasonal allergies. etc...

I think there is a histamine 'threshold'.
And the Histamine/Cortisol thing can be thought of as a 'balance'.

Also, while I hate to over-use any kind of medicine, I do not generally hesitate to give my son antihistamins (like Triaminic) when I feel it is needed.

Does that make sense?

EDITED TO ADD: I think we need a Doctor to post to this thread!!!!

I am in NO way a Dr. and I don't want to be responsible for playing on on the DIS!!!

 

[HOGFAN]

My poor boss. She has mild eczema(facial) in the best of times. When she stresses, her face is as red as a tomato. Unfortunately here lately, she has been under a lot of stress.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I think my exema is from stress. I have a prescription creme for it. Its on my hands. It comes and goes.

 

[golfgal]

golfgal--do you put the Head and Shoulders on their body?

Also, how specifically is the eczema related to their asthma only? I know that kids with eczema are usually deemed "atopic" which means "asthma, allergies, and eczema". That is my son to a "T"; however, if he gets worked up over something his eczema will pop up.

They both get patches around their nose and sometimes on their chin. They put the shampoo on like a lotion. I guess after hearing about the Elidel that they were using and the issues then seeing the head and shoulders thing here I just tried it. I figured it's shampoo, what can it hurt. It cleared up their face in a day. You could see definite improvement in a matter of hours.

I never really looked into the causes or what ever with their eczema. Their asthma dr just said it was related to the asthma and I am also guessing their allergies as well. I suppose it could be worse in times of stress too. They did both start new schools this year and they both have had some big breakouts this fall BUT the allergy season has been horrible and their asthma is acting up some too so who knows.

Where is Disney Steve when you need him?????

 

[golfgal]

I think my exema is from stress. I have a prescription creme for it. Its on my hands. It comes and goes.

Is that for Elidel? There were some stories in the news a while ago about the increased risk of skin cancer with using Elidel. Our kids' dr recommended to stop using it all together. You might want to check with your dr about that.