Anxiety Rash
Our brain tends to communicate with our bodies. When we are feeling anxiety, your body will not only have mental effects but physical effects as well in the form of a rash. It is important to seek professional help for your anxiety to avoid your rash from getting worse.
The Appearance of an Anxiety Rash
Anxiety rashes often look like hives which can appear anywhere on the body. They are generally red and blotchy and can either be really small or take up space on your body. Sometimes, these blotchy spots can form to create even bigger welts. This rash will most likely itch which will make it burn when you touch it. Generally, a single rash tends to go away in 24 hours, but new rashes can form when old rashes disappear. By not getting your anxious thoughts under control, you will continue to develop new rashes.
The Emotion Effects of an Anxiety Rash
It can be embarrassing for a person to have a rash. This is especially true if this occurs suddenly and unexpectedly. It is worse enough that you are trying to deal with your anxiety, but to have others notice these blotchy marks on you can make your anxiety worse. Imagine if you are at a fancy party and a photographer is taking your picture while you have this rash or you work a job that deals with customer interaction. It is too stress-inducing to worry about this rash and trying to hide it.
The Cause of an Anxiety Rash
It is not actually the anxiety that causes the rash but the stress that causes anxiety. Stress makes your body tense and releases cortisol and adrenaline into the bloodstream which leads to skin reactions. Stress can also make your body more prone to reactions if it focuses too much on the stress than protecting your body. If anxiety rashes are not treated, these rashes could turn into worse problems like eczema, psoriasis, acne, or herpes. Stress may not create these conditions, but it definitely will not help them from getting better.
How to Tell This Rash is From Anxiety
Unfortunately, it is hard to tell if the rash you are experiencing is directly linked to anxiety. It could be the result of an allergic reaction to a medication, a lotion you are wearing, or a sweat rash. The best way to know for sure if this rash is caused by anxiety is to eliminate all of the other causes that can come from this rash. If you hardly wear lotion, have no food allergies, or have not been out in the sun in a while, you know those are not the causes. You will know that the rash was brought on by anxiety if the rash starts to go away when you manage your anxiety.
Covering Up Anxiety Rash
Not doing anything about your anxiety will make your rash worse. There are those who prefer to cover up their rash than to admit that they are struggling with a mental illness. People with anxiety will tend to wear long sleeves so that no one can see their rash, only to prevent it from breathing. They may also wash their skin too much which will lead to skin irritation. The anxiety of covering up your rash can actually make it stay with you longer. You need to understand your anxiety and know that a rash will continue to come if you do not control it.
How to Reduce Anxiety Rash
To control your rash, you need to control your anxiety. You first need to decrease your anxiety symptoms to increase your chances of any improvement. You can try treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, deep breathing, anxiety medications, talking to a therapist, and more. Rashes can take a few days to a week to go away. It may also take some time after your anxiety symptoms go away for your skin to relax. It is important to make sure that you are not scratching these bumps or wearing clothes or lotion that can make irritation worse. There are over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin. You can also try applying a cool compress on the areas or take a cool shower.
When to See a Doctor
If your symptoms worsen or last longer than six weeks, it is best to talk to a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe prescription-strength antihistamines, Deltasone, Aczone, Xolair, or other medications that will help treat the redness and swelling. If you experience lip or face swelling, trouble breathing, or wheezing, you need to seek immediate medical attention. Having hard bumps or having them filled with pus can mean that you are suffering from an underlying condition which makes it all the more reason for you to seek a consultation.
It is important to ask yourself if not dealing with your anxiety is worth the physical effects you are experiencing. Anxiety is a treatable mental illness that you can do something about in the office of a therapist or at home. You can try going to therapy so that a therapist can tell you what to do to prevent these rashes from developing again as well as meditation, yoga, exercising regularly, or making time for personal hobbies. Once you discover techniques that work for you, your rash will start to go away. Treating your anxiety will treat your rashes for years to come.
Located on the shore of Southern New Jersey, Enlightened Recovery is a recovery center that uses evidence-based therapies and holistic healing to treat addiction and mental illness. With the opportunity to learn about therapies that are keyed in to healing the human spirit and learning about new stress-reducing techniques centered around a 12 step network, you will ensure a lasting recovery. For more information, please call us at 833-801-LIVE as we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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