Can Stress Cause Eczema? Here’s How to Avoid a Flare-Up

How Stress Can Trigger Eczema, and How to Avoid a Flare-Up

How Stress Can Trigger Eczema, and How to Avoid a Flare-Up
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Updated on November 7, 2025
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The symptoms of eczema are not constant. Symptoms, such as very dry or itchy skin, tend to come and go in periods called flares. This is typically due to specific triggers that activate inflammation and exacerbate symptoms. Stress is one of these potential triggers.

“Each individual may have specific triggers for their own symptoms,” says Peter Lio, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

According to the National Eczema Association, triggers of eczema include the following:

  • Overly dry skin
  • Stress
  • Dry, cold climate, particularly during winter
  • Sweat
  • Irritants such as metals, cigarette smoke, fragrances, and fabrics like wool and polyester
  • Allergens, such as mold, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander
  • Various foods that cause allergic reactions, such as eggs, soy, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, wheat, and milk
  • Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
For some people, various external factors, such as school or work, can cause stress, resulting in worsening eczema symptoms. For others, flare-ups result from the stress of knowing they have eczema. The psychological stress of having eczema can often lead to more significant problems.

Read on to learn more about how stress can trigger eczema flare-ups, and what you can do to try and limit these flares and better manage your condition.

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How Stress Worsens Eczema Symptoms

The link between psychological stress and eczema is complex, but the connection appears to stem primarily from stress hormones.

“Stress is a very common trigger for both children and adults,” Dr. Lio says. He explains that while there are many theories about how stress and eczema are connected, researchers have found that there is a network in the body that both directly and indirectly affects the immune system, the skin barrier, and behavioral aspects of eczema.

“One of the hardest parts is that there can be a vicious cycle: The skin and symptoms cause more stress, which then, in turn, worsens the skin,” Lio says.

When we experience stress, the body undergoes a “flight or fight response,” also known simply as the stress response, according to Harvard Health.

 Part of this response is the activation of the so-called HPA axis. The HPA axis is a network involving three key parts: the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. The HPA axis increases the amount of cortisol, which is a stress hormone.
Since cortisol is an immune system regulator, it can cause an imbalance in the body’s different types of immune responses, promoting inflammation. An immune system imbalance can also lead to an increase in the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which cause allergic reactions.

During stress, the body also experiences various other physiological changes that affect the skin. For example, the production of mast cells increases — these white blood cells release histamine, a compound that causes itchiness. Stress also causes our blood vessels to dilate, which leads to a further release of histamine. Additionally, sensory nerves release molecules that can disrupt the normal functions of the outermost layer of the skin (the skin barrier).

These and other responses work in concert during stressful events to cause eczema symptoms to flare.

Perspectives
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Dana
Living with eczema
“You don't realize how many people are dealing with an issue until you actually vocalize it to a broader community. So it's nice to see how many people you're able to help.”
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Eczema and Other Mental Health Issues

A study published in 2020 examined the medical records of more than 500,000 adults (ages 18 and over) with atopic eczema, and more than 2.5 million without the skin condition. The results revealed that individuals with eczema had a 14 percent greater risk of developing depression than those without eczema, and a 12 percent increased risk of anxiety. Those with severe eczema were even more likely to develop depression — a 26 percent higher risk than those without the skin condition.

During inflammatory eczema responses, the body communicates with the brain through various sensations, such as pain, heat, itch, and discomfort.

If you can control eczema flares induced by psychological stress, you may find relief from symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve your emotional well-being.

Tips for Managing Your Stress and Eczema

The following tips may help you manage both your stress and eczema, and keep those flares minimal.

Mindful Meditation and Relaxation Practices for Stress

Research suggests that mindful meditation — especially regimens like mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) — can help alleviate psychological stress and improve emotional well-being.

Mindfulness meditation involves sitting comfortably; focusing on deep, steady breathing; and paying close attention to the present moment, particularly your own thoughts, emotions, and sensations.

Other complementary relaxation techniques include:

  • Light, graceful exercises, such as yoga, tai chi, or ballet
  • Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice in which thin needles are inserted at specific points of the body
  • Acupressure, a complementary therapy that uses fingers and hand pressure to stimulate certain points on the body
  • Distraction activities, such as writing, painting, video games, and knitting
  • Listening to soothing music or nature sounds

Lio says he typically introduces his patients to several of these techniques and asks which ones sound good to them. “Finding ways to relax and destress is critical,” he says. “Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the right fit for someone, but once found, it can make a tremendous impact.”

The Importance of Exercise for Stress Relief

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults living with a chronic condition get between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking briskly, biking lightly, raking the yard, or mowing the lawn.

Alternatively, you could also meet your exercise requirement by getting 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity (or a combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity) aerobic exercise each week. Vigorous-intensity exercise includes running, hiking, playing soccer, or playing tennis singles.

The department of health also advises adults to practice strength training that activates a variety of muscles two times per week. These activities can also deepen breathing and relieve muscle tension. Be sure to obtain clearance from your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

If sweat is a flare-up trigger for you, make sure to take a shower after exercising and change your clothes. Wear light, breathable fabrics while working out that don’t rub or scratch the skin. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise to stay hydrated. Be sure to take breaks during your workout if you sense an eczema flare coming on.

Sleeping Well When You Have Eczema

The itchy, uncomfortable skin associated with eczema can make sleeping difficult.

Lack of sleep can cause stress and worsen eczema symptoms, especially if sleeplessness occurs the night before an important activity, or if tiredness interferes with important activities during the day.

Research also shows that sleep loss, even if it occurs for just one night, can increase inflammation.

According to the National Eczema Association, these tips will help you get a better night’s sleep:

  • Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day.
  • Establish a consistent and relaxing bedtime routine.
  • Stop using electronics 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.
  • Limit caffeine intake after lunch.
  • Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and comfortable.

Better Support to Cope With the Stress of Eczema

Positive social relationships are essential for physical and mental well-being.

Research suggests that social networks are just as important as diet and exercise throughout your whole life. Social isolation in adolescence, for instance, increases the risk of inflammation.

If you don’t have a strong group of friends or family that regularly provide emotional support, find an eczema support group.

The Takeaway

  • Stress is one of the many possible triggers for eczema.
  • There are several things you can do to manage your stress and eczema flares.
  • Make sure you're practicing good sleep hygiene; exercise, mindfulness, and meditation may also help.
  • A good support network is also essential.
  • Remember, you're not alone, and numerous eczema support groups are available for you to join.
Meet Our Experts
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Dr. Sanober Pezad

Sanober Pezad Doctor, MD

Medical Reviewer

Dr. Sanober Pezad Doctor is a double board-certified dermatologist and internationally recognized leader in integrative and holistic dermatology. She is an anti-aging and regenerative medicine specialist and the founder of AGEnesis and Baby SkinWise.

She earned her MD in dermatology, venereology, and leprology and a diplomate of national board (DNB) in dermatology. She is board certified in anti-aging and regenerative medicine from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). She's also a trained clinical homeopath through the Center for Education and Development of Clinical Homeopathy (CEDH).

Sanober is the founder of AGEnesis: The Holistic Aging Blueprint, a science-backed, multidimensional protocol for healthy skin aging, and Baby SkinWise, the world’s first audiovisual skincare guide for parents. She also hosts the YouTube channel "Healthy Aging with Dr. Doctor," where she delivers educational content on evidence-based skincare, hair health, and integrative health practices.

Sanober is a medical school gold medalist and recipient of multiple national and international awards. She is also the chief dermatology medical advisor for emerging clinical research in integrative skin and hair health, with more than 50 published scientific articles.

Sanober is a proactive, compassionate medical practitioner with a thorough understanding of overall mind-body-spiritual wellness. She's also a key advocate for the healthy aging movement. She's a simple mommy to the core and strongly believes "prevention is better than cure." She's on a mission to make you and me into the healthiest version of ourselves.

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Joseph Bennington-Castro

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Joseph Bennington-Castro is a science writer based in Hawaii. He has written well over a thousand articles for the general public on a wide range topics, including health, astronomy, archaeology, renewable energy, biomaterials, conservation, history, animal behavior, artificial intelligence, and many others.

In addition to writing for Everyday Health, Bennington-Castro has also written for publications such as Scientific American, National Geographic online, USA Today, Materials Research Society, Wired UK, Men's Journal, Live Science, Space.com, NBC News Mach, NOAA Fisheries, io9.com, and Discover.

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