Study: nervous system and stress affect the conditions of inflammatory skin -
Anyone who has had a form of pimple just before an important event may wonder if the stress caused bursting. Often linked anecdotal, which shows the relationship between stress and inflammatory skin conditions like acne, psoriasis and rosacea, is another matter.
"Almost everyone has some form of stress in their lives, so it is unclear whether stress can actually make the appearance of the skin worse," says board certified dermatologist Richard D. Granstein, MD, FAAD, George W. Hambrick Jr., professor and chair of the department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York. "However, it has long been known that the nervous system, which treats our stress has an impact on the conditions such as psoriasis."
Dr. Granstein discusses the latest research on the impact stress has on inflammatory skin conditions and reflections on how this research could change the treatment options.
How stress plays a role in inflammatory conditions of the skin?
Dr. Granstein said research linking the nervous system and the skin has long understood. "If you interrupt the path of the nerves in an area of the skin of a patient affected by psoriasis, psoriasis improves," said Dr. Granstein. "In addition, the condition improves if you inject local anesthetic in psoriasis plaques . This information strongly suggests that nerves play a role in how psoriasis works. "
Dr. Granstein notes that animal studies have shown that stress can make inflammatory conditions of the skin worse. In a Japanese study, mice genetically prone to developing a rash similar to the inflammatory skin condition atopic dermatitis did when stressed, while mice not exposed to stress did not develop rash .
Dr. Granstein said experimental data support the idea that the nervous system and stress affect inflammatory skin conditions in humans. many types of skin cells, including immune cells and endothelial cells (cells that line the blood vessels), may be settled by neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, which are chemicals released from nerve endings in the skin. Stress can lead to nerve endings in the skin releasing an increased level of these chemicals. When this happens, it can affect how and at what level our body responds to many important functions, such as the feel and control of the bloodstream, and may contribute to symptoms of stress we feel. In addition, the release of these chemicals can cause skin inflammation
"If we can block specific measures to certain routes between the nervous system and skin. - No impact on the whole body - we probably have new ways to prevent or treat certain skin disorders, "said Dr. Granstein. "We make a
a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying many skin diseases, which will help us develop new therapies."
showed stress affect the skin of another way?
Although generally believed, Dr. Granstein said research has not proven that stress causes aging of the skin.
When combined with exposure UV, Dr. Granstein noted that animal studies have shown that stress could have an impact on the development of skin cancer. "When exposed to ultraviolet radiation, the mice developed skin cancers more quickly than mice not exposed to stress out, "he said.
How the impact of current research how people with inflammatory skin diseases are treated do?
Dr. Granstein says more research needs to be done to better understand the role of the nervous system and stress on inflammatory skin conditions, especially since other factors play a role including genetics. It encourages people with inflammatory conditions of the skin to tell their dermatologist if they believe stress affects their condition. They can experience stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga or tai chi, but they should continue their treatment plan as prescribed by their dermatologist.
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