Kelli Vogt- Department of Dermatology
Have you ever found yourself having an itchy rash or hives before an important interview, public speaking event, or before an exam? This may be due to an ‘anxiety rash.’ When the body is under a lot of stress, our body will activate the sympathetic nervous system, or our fight or flight response. This response will release histamine, a substance that the body releases in response to inflammation, stress, and allergic reactions. Histamine can cause rashes that can span across the body causing itchiness, irritation, redness, or swelling. Even though these symptoms may be due to other causes such as allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis, it is important to eliminate these causes by discussing them with a primary care physician or dermatologist as it can help ensure accurate treatment options and plans.
Short-term treatment plans may involve topicals that contain antihistamines to relieve the symptoms. However, long-term treatment plans may involve coping strategies to manage anxiety, such as regular meditation, breathing exercises, and understanding personal triggers. Unfortunately, some individuals may wear tight clothing, put on lotion, or apply makeup to hide the rash but this may worsen the rash or hives. Even though symptoms of an anxiety rash can subside within 24 hours, it still can have negative impacts on one’s self-esteem and mental health as it can be visible and sometimes painful. Healthcare providers need to seek the best treatment options and listen to their patients as it can lead to new diagnoses. For example, a patient may express a painful and irritating rash to their primary care doctor and discover that they may have an undiagnosed anxiety disorder. Healthcare providers can then provide the patient with resources and an effective treatment plan.
References:
Sissons, Beth. “Anxiety Rash: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 2021, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/anxiety-rash#other-causes.
Shebak SS, Pinkston J, Ali R. Rash Associated With Panic Attacks. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2016;18(1):10.4088/PCC.15l01822. doi:10.4088/PCC.15l01822
Edited By: Firas Batrash, Editor-in-Chief
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