Emotional stress cannot be avoided and if stress becomes overbearing it can cause physical symptoms such as rash. The term for rashes appearing on the body due to emotional stress is called stress rash. Stress rashes are commonly found on arms, neck, and face and it appears in the form of thick discolored bumps called hives.
Stress rashes often appear in the form of hives and it looks swollen and raised and it feels warm. A single hive will generally disappear in twenty four hours. There are cases where new hives form when old hives disappear. There are cases where people have many hives and the condition is called acute hives if it remains for six weeks. If hives are present for more than six weeks then it is considered chronic.
Hives form when the immune system reacts with an allergen such as pollen or food, hives can also occur due to emotional stress. Everybody has to cope with some form of stress or the other and the common stressors that can trigger stress rash are lack of sleep, balancing professional and personal life, getting accustomed to a new city or country, work stress, family issues, smoking, alcohol consumption, new exercise routine, stepping into a new milestone such as starting college, or getting married.
Scientists have discovered that when a person develops chronic anxiety the sympathetic nervous system becomes more responsive to stress. When the sympathetic nervous system becomes more responsive to stress the body releases histamine to fight inflammation, allergic reaction, or injury. The formation of hives can be due to high levels of histamine.
There are natural home remedies to treat stress rash such as avoid tight clothing, avoid hot water baths, place cold pack on affected areas, consume sufficient amount of water and avoid too much of caffeine and alcohol, bathe with lukewarm water, and another good option is oatmeal and milk bath.
Causes of stress rash:
Hives mostly appear due to allergic reaction caused by something in the environment. Apart from stress the common causes of hives are fabrics, infection, food allergens, exercise, extreme weather, and chemicals, pollen, medications, sweat, and sunlight.
Stress management is an effective treatment to prevent stress rash, but it is important to first consult with doctor to rule out medical reasons. Once medical reasons are ruled out, the cause of stress rash could be due to psychological factors, hence consult a psychologist.
Ways to manage stress:
Indulge in physical activity:
Indulging in regular physical activity helps a person stay in good mood and it also helps reduce anxiety and depression. Individuals who get into a regular exercise routine are able to feel more relaxed and sleep well at night.
Eat the right kind of foods:
To feel calm and less stressed ensure to get sufficient nutrients into the system. Healthy meals include lean protein, vegetables, whole grains, and fruits. Avoid skipping meals, skipping meals results in drop in blood sugar that makes anxiety worse. Foods rich in zinc such as egg yolk, cashews, and oysters help reduce anxiety. Magnesium rich foods are known to reduce anxiety and the good sources are whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, and spinach. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce anxiety and the good sources are salmon, chia seeds, and flaxseeds. Eating the right kind of food improves immune system and reduces stress.
Ensure to indulge in healthy sleep pattern:
Lack of sleep is known to increase stress levels, it is hence essential to get healthy eight hours of sleep every night. Ensure to follow healthy sleep habits such as indulge in regular physical activity, consume less amount of caffeine and alcohol before sleeping, avoid looking at any electronic devices thirty to sixty minutes before sleeping, and do any relaxing activity before sleeping.
Deep breathing exercises are effective to calm the mind:
Find a comfortable place to sit, close your eyes and place one hand on your stomach and the other hand on your chest. Inhale through the nose, while inhaling notice your belly rising and count to five Exhale through the mouth slowly and count to six. While exhaling you will notice your body enter a state of relaxation.
Managing stress and having a positive mindset are effective strategies to prevent stress rash and lead a productive and meaningful life.
positivenotes 