Stress and Eczema: How They Are Related (and How to Reduce the Impact)

If you’ve ever noticed your skin flaring up during stressful times, you’re not imagining it. Stress and eczema are closely linked – and for many people, it can feel like a frustrating cycle. You’re stressed, your eczema worsens, and that flare-up brings even more stress.

When we feel stressed, our bodies release hormones like cortisol, which can increase inflammation and make skin more reactive. For people with eczema, this can mean:

• More frequent flare-ups
  
• Increased itching and discomfort
  
• Slower skin healing
  
• Trouble sleeping, which can make symptoms worse
  

And it’s not just big life events that trigger this. Even day-to-day pressures – work deadlines, school exams, family responsibilities – can have an impact.

Eczema is more than just a skin condition. It’s connected to your immune system, your environment, and yes, your mental health. Understanding how stress influences your skin can help you break the cycle of flare-ups and find ways to care for both your body and your mind.

The connection between stress and eczema

When we’re under stress, our bodies release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These are part of the “fight or flight” response – useful in short bursts, but not so friendly when they stay high for long periods.

For people living with eczema, high stress levels can:

• Weaken the skin barrier, making it less able to retain moisture
• Trigger a new flare-up if your eczema is under control
• Increase inflammation in the skin
• Worsen an existing flare-up, making symptoms more intense
• Heighten the sensation of itch, leading to more scratching and irritation
  

This means that stress doesn’t just affect your mood – it can make eczema flare-ups worse and harder to manage.

It’s important to remember that stress isn’t the cause of eczema – but it is a strong aggravating factor for many people. That’s why managing stress is just as important as moisturising your skin or avoiding other known triggers.

The emotional toll of eczema

The relationship between eczema and mental health can work both ways. Dealing with persistent itching, visible rashes, and disrupted sleep can be exhausting. Over time, this can impact confidence, mood, and overall wellbeing.

It’s not unusual for people with eczema to experience:

• Frustration or sadness during flare-ups
  
• Social anxiety or self-consciousness about their skin
  
• Disturbed sleep leading to fatigue and irritability
  

Acknowledging the mental health eczema connection is an important part of managing the condition – because caring for your emotional wellbeing can help calm your skin, too.

Breaking the stress–eczema cycle

While we can’t always remove stress from our lives, we can take steps to reduce its impact on our skin. Here are some gentle, practical strategies you can try:

Build in moments of calm
Even five minutes of deep breathing, gentle stretching, or listening to music can help your body switch from “fight or flight” mode into “rest and restore” mode.

Create a soothing skincare routine
Keeping your skin moisturised and protected can help it cope better during stressful times. This might include applying a fragrance-free cream after bathing, wearing soft fabrics, and avoiding known triggers.

Stay active
Gentle exercise like walking, yoga, or swimming can help release tension, improve mood, and boost circulation – all of which support skin health.

Talk it out
Sharing your feelings with someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, family member, or support group, can lighten the emotional load. Connecting with others who understand your eczema experience can be especially reassuring.

Rest whenever you can
Sleep plays a huge role in skin repair and mental resilience. Aim for a comfortable bedroom environment with a cool temperature, soft bedding, and minimal irritants.

When to seek extra support

If stress is affecting your eczema more often than not – or if your skin symptoms are starting to impact your mood, confidence, relationships, or daily life – it’s a sign that you don’t have to carry this alone.

Reaching out for help doesn’t mean you’re not coping. It means you’re taking steps to give your skin and your mind the best chance to heal. Your GP or dermatologist can work with you to:

• Review your treatment plan and make adjustments for better results
  
• Check for other contributing factors, such as allergies or infections
  
• Suggest therapies like wet wraps, light therapy, or stronger topical treatments when needed
  

If your eczema is affecting your mental health – for example, if you’re feeling persistently anxious, down, or frustrated – a psychologist, counsellor, or mental health professional can help you develop coping strategies, manage stress, and protect your emotional wellbeing.

Sometimes the most powerful support comes from others who truly understand. Connecting with a community of people living with eczema, like ours at the Eczema Association of Australasia, can provide reassurance, practical tips, and that all-important reminder: you are not alone in this.

Finding Balance with Stress and Eczema

Living with stress and eczema can feel like a constant balancing act, but small, consistent steps can make a big difference. By caring for both your skin and your mind, you’re breaking the cycle before it takes hold. It’s about recognising the emotional side of the condition and giving yourself permission to rest, heal, and ask for help.

At the Eczema Association of Australasia, we understand the challenges of living with eczema – both seen and unseen. If you’d like personalised support, product suggestions, or simply someone who understands, we’re here for you.

Call us on 1300 300 182 or visit our website to connect with our community.

FAQs About Stress and Eczema

1. Can stress cause eczema?
No, stress doesn’t cause eczema, but it can trigger or worsen flare-ups in people who already have it.

2. Why does stress make my eczema itch more?
Stress hormones can increase inflammation and affect nerve endings, which can make skin feel itchier.

3. Can managing stress really improve eczema?
Yes, while it’s not a cure, lowering stress can help reduce flare-ups and make symptoms more manageable.

4. Are there specific relaxation techniques that help eczema?
Mindfulness, breathing exercises, gentle yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation can all help lower stress levels.

5. Should I see a doctor if my eczema gets worse during stressful times?
Yes, your GP or dermatologist can help adjust your treatment plan, and a mental health professional can help with coping strategies.

6. Where else can I turn for support?

If stress and eczema are becoming overwhelming, these free and confidential mental health support lines in Australia can offer a listening ear and practical help.

Lifeline – 13 11 14
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. Call or text for confidential support, or visit www.lifeline.org.au.

Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
24/7 support for anxiety, depression, and emotional wellbeing. Online chat also available. www.beyondblue.org.au

Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
24/7 counselling for young people aged 5–25. Call, webchat, or email. 

kidshelpline.com.au

Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Free nationwide service providing phone and online counselling for people affected by suicide. www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78
24/7 telephone and online counselling for men with relationship or mental health concerns. www.mensline.org.au