Dry skin from stress?

[Helen Troy]

Lately, I have experienced really dry, almost lizzardy flaky skin in patches all over my body. It came suddenly, and I am thinking that maybe it can be due to stress? (I am completing my master degree, it's due in two weeks so all I do is work&worry.) I have oily skin in my face and have gotten a few pimple, but the skin in my face feels tight.

Any of you ladies knows if stress can cause dry, itchy skin? Have any of you experienced something similar? Any good advice? I bath, exfoliate and moisturise, but I wondered if there's some nutritional supplement I should take or something?

 

[MissHannah]

Oh poor you. It sounds like stress related dermatitis to me - you should go to your doctor and get some proper creams prescribed. I'm sure it's an easy fix so don't worry too much

 

[Harley Quinn]

Some things that can help...

Vit E (get the oil filled gel caps, spilit one and rub in)

Vit B complex (plus Vit C) in time release

Coconut butter...

OK, I know more about skin than any man should... scent me with magnolia and call me Mr Cairo...

 

[Blondie]

I agree with Miss Hannah,
it could just be dry patches of skin caused by cold weather and hot showers/bath, could be from stress, could be something else all together, you could try using a low strength cortisone cream from a pharmacy ( show the pharmacist and ask their opinion )
BUT when in doubt it is really best to see a Doctor !

 

[Real Swell Gal]

My daughter gets terrible exema in the winter.
I don't know what you have there but there is a lotion called Eucerin and we also dab tea tree oil on the patches.
Both work very well and are gentle.

 

[drjones]

stress and a master's degree

I dont know if its specifically stress related, but I know when I took master's level classes I stressed DAILY. I ended up starting to develop bad dandruff. Maybe there IS something to that. When I stopped taking the classes....POOF! No more scalp problem. Weird what the body does to compensate.

DRJONES

 

[LizzieMaine]

Stress definitely has something to do with it, at least for me, coupled with the usual winter dryness. When I get overstressed, which is pretty much the state I've been living in for the past year, my hands and face get extremely peely. I also have the nervous habit of picking at the peelings, which only makes it worse. This winter has been especially bad both for the weather and for the stress, and my fingers are actually sore from the peeling.

About all I can do about it is slather myself in Bag Balm -- ordinary creams and moisturizers just don't seem to help -- and wait for summer.

 

[GreyAndWhiteCat]

Your problem sounds similar to my skin some years back. My doctor advised me to stop showering ever day, and go as many days as I could manage between the showers. And get some massage oil to rub in at the flaky parts. I started using virgin jojoba oil, it worked wonders for me! Its quite oily, so it is best to do it in the evening just before you go to bed. For managing a few days without a shower it really helps to just clean your face and places where it gets smelly every day. My biggest problem was my hair, but I found some dry shampoo at Vita and the problem was solved.

But if your skin is swollen and red underneath the flaky parts you should go to the doctor. But I would personally stay away from the cortisone, it wreaks havoc on your system. My dad felt it was just trading one bad thing for another when the doctor prescribed it.

Whether you go to the doctor or not, I hope you get well soon

 

[Last_Chael]

I suffer from psoriasis which is exacerbated by stress. I would say more than likely you have excema which is the nicer cousin of psoriasis. It's usually seasonal and stress related. Definitely moisturise moisturise moisturise!!

And yes, try to stay away from cortizone. I was on a million acid and cortizone treatments that were gradually being strengthened, until I jsut couldn't take it anymore. When I found my current treatment (which is a combination of diet, special body shower gel and cream) I was so amazed when the doctor told me that the condition is caused by high acidity (hence why I can't eat acid foods) and I was being treated by acid creams!! shakeshead

anywho, I digress... I'd try moisturising lots, multiple times a day; trying to lessen your stress (I know it's so easy to say and hard to do - I had my final year of study last year) and if it doesn't get better soon, go and see a doctor.

 

[Helen Troy]

Thank you all so much for the advice and the caring! You are great!

I think I will try oils and cutting down on showers, and see if it helps. Anyway, it's only two more weeks and then I'm done! (With the master, and then hopefully with the stressing period.)

 

[Harley Quinn]

I'd avoid any cortisone cream unless specifically managed by a dermatology specialist as 'gatekeeper'... it may 'work' in the short term but it can cause problems down the line...

 

[Ada Veen]

I have an intensive face treatment that I wear overnight as and when my face feels flaky and stressed (maybe once every two months?), and it seems to do the trick - my face is always back to normal the next day (or even slightly better than normal!).

I'm not sure about the body... I suppose I'd only recommend sinking lots and lots of water, and maybe Palmers Cocoa Butter.

 

[dollydaydream]

I get the same thing. Often with me if comes out after the period of stress. I get about 1 inch circles of red, flaky itchy eczema all over my body, completely out of the blue. Mine is definately stress, as it's accompanited by a wide range of other side effects! I have many creams given by the doctor. I try not to use the steroid creams at they can be a bit too nasty if you have to use them lots, but try using aqueous cream in the shower (I can't go without showering & this works really well without drying) but do be careful not to slip!!!

I also have the same problem as Lizzie; my fingers are in such a terible state at the moment because I have this nervous habit of picking the skin around my nails. Not a particularly nice habit I must say!! I don't use hand cream because it stings too much. I am a silly!!! lol

 

[miserabelle]

I know stress can cause psoriasis, my sister had it when she was a baby and I think my mom had to keep her really well moisturised, you can see your doctor about it to get some kind of cream to sooth it a little. Anything hypoallergenic is amazing xx

 

[Miss 1929]

My eyelids

do this under stress. Like this whole week.
Most over-the-counter moisturizers make them worse, and sting like hell. Natural oils help. Cortizone works like a charm, but I know it is a bad bad thing so I don't use it unless there is no other way.
Crying makes it worse, but the stress that brought it on comes with tears...
And the worst part is, I can't wear eyeshadow until it's all gone! I feel undressed!

 

[KY Gentleman]

I used to work with a lady who swore by tea tree oil for this problem.

 

[LaMedicine]

Since you say it is over your entire body, and not a small area, as an MD, I suggest you consult a dermatologist.
Several diagnoses come to my mind, but medication for them are all different, so if it is something that needs to be treated, you should have a dermatolgist examine and prescribe what is best. And yes, stress often does make these skin conditions worse.

For itching, an easy method to help for the time being is cooling the most itchy place. Heat makes the itching worse as it accelrates the release of substance that causes itching, and also dilates the blood vessles which will carry the substance far and wide. A cool shower, or a not too cold ice pack often helps. Hot showers and baths will make the itching worse. A low stimulus oil like baby oil or vaseline may help lubricate the flakey area. However, these are all temporarly methods to tide you over until you can get to the dermatologist.

Good luck with your masters.

 

[Last_Chael]

Ooooh I jsut thought of another thing! I used to use lavendar oil on my skin when it was really itchy. It helps to sooth and stop the itch I'd mix it in with my moisturiser

 

[Harley Quinn]

Raw lavender can be a bit rough on delicate skin, but it's excellent on all sorts of skin problems in a decent carrier oil (grapeseed or almond... although I have friends who swear by BP Olive oil... I personally find it too stick and yik!)

 

[Last_Chael]

Raw lavender can be a bit rough on delicate skin, but it's excellent on all sorts of skin problems in a decent carrier oil (grapeseed or almond... although I have friends who swear by BP Olive oil... I personally find it too stick and yik!)

Ooops yeah, sorry should have mentioned that I added two drops of lavendar oil to my carrier oil, whcih filled a little spary bottle, handbag sized