Stress Takes its Toll on Your Skin, Hair, and Nails
November 13, 2007
(Ivanhoe Newswire) – You know stress can affect you physically and mentally, but did you know it can also take its toll on your skin, hair and nails?
Flor A. Mayoral, M.D., F.A.A.D., University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida, has seen the effects of stress on the patients she treats and how the dermatologic problems can lead to even more stress.
When it comes to your skin, stress raises the level of the body’s stress hormone cortisol. This makes your body produce more oil which can lead to oily skin, acne, and other skin problems. Mayoral says even patients who usually do not have acne tend to get temporary stress-related acne because of the increased oil production.
Your hair can show the effects of stress, as well. Mayoral believes stress may be the main reason for unexplained hair loss. She says hair can fall out up to three months after a stressful event and usually grows back in six to nine months. Life-changing events such as childbirth or surgery can also cause hair loss.
As far as your fingernails, stress can make some people develop the nervous habit of biting or picking at them. It can also cause brittle, peeling nails.
Mayoral says it’s important to curb the effects of stress internally and externally. Her suggestions on how to do this include learning to recognize what triggered your symptoms and developing skills to minimize the stress. Exercising to reduce stress, avoiding very hot showers or baths, using detergent-free soaps, and moisturizing right after bathing. Also, using sunscreen with and SPF 15 or higher to protect your skin from exposure to the sun.
SOURCE: American Academy of Dermatology’s SKIN Academy, November 8, 2007
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