Ouch!
Ugh, my nail beds are reacting again. No coincidence, work is a bit crazy right now.
Don’t want to gross you out so let me just say that I have skin condition in my fingers that responds — painfully — during stressful situations.
Turns out I’m not alone. Dermatologists have now correlated stress with flare-ups of chronic, inflammatory skin conditions (Stress Management Improves Skin Conditions). While my condition is minor, you can imagine how someone with major psoriasis or acne must feel during a flare-up. And then that stress triggers greater flare- ups!
Stress can also inhibit the ability of skin to act as a protective layer, allowing irritants, allergens and bacteria to get in and worsen our conditions further.
White coat, Western-as-can-be dermatologists are now recommending stress management strategies and stress therapies like hypnosis, tai chi and yoga to overcome or prevent skin flare-ups. Cool.
There’s that “mind-body” thing again. Let’s face it: it’s ALLLLLL connected.
Be good to your self and your body, and your body will be good to you too.
Herbal tea anyone?
