Emotional allergy is a condition that occurs when the immune system reacts to emotions such as stress and anxiety, leading to changes in the body, especially the skin. For this reason, emotional allergy symptoms typically include itchy, red skin.
The causes of emotional allergy are not well defined, but it appears to happen because stress and anxiety increase the production of catecholamines, substances that lead to increased release of cortisol, causing an inflammatory reaction in the body.
Treatment for this type of allergy is very similar to treatment for other types of allergies and is based on the use of anti-allergy medications. However, if symptoms last more than 15 days, or if they worsen, it may be recommended to undergo therapy with a psychologist and consult a dermatologist. Check out some remedies used to relieve anxiety.
Main symptoms
The most common symptoms of emotional allergy are:
- Itching on the body;
- Redness of the skin;
- Raised red spots, known as urticaria;
- Feeling of shortness of breath;
- Insomnia.
Skin manifestations are the most common, as the skin has nerve endings that are directly linked to the feeling of stress and anxiety. People who have other types of diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis may also experience worsening of symptoms or skin lesions due to emotional distress. Find out more about how to identify psoriasis.
It is important to remember that the symptoms caused by emotional allergies vary from one person to another, depending on age, the intensity of emotions, the way each person behaves in difficulties and genetic predisposition.
Possible causes
The causes of emotional allergy are not yet well defined, but it is known that feelings of stress and anxiety cause changes in the body, leading to the release of substances, called catecholamines, responsible for the inflammatory reaction in the skin.
Stress and anxiety cause a reaction in the body’s defense cells, leading to a hypersensitivity of the immune system, which can be noticed by changes in the skin and worsening of the symptoms of other autoimmune diseases.
The release of the hormone cortisol, produced in times of stress, can also have an impact on the skin, through the inflammatory process it causes in the long term. Often, genetic predisposition can also generate emotional allergy symptoms.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for emotional allergies must be recommended by an allergist or dermatologist and generally consists of the use of anti-allergy medications to relieve itching and redness of the skin. However, if emotional allergy reactions last more than two weeks or are very strong, the doctor may recommend the use of oral corticosteroids or corticosteroid ointments.
Furthermore, to assist in the treatment and generate better results, the use of medication to reduce anxiety and stress, as well as psychotherapy sessions, may be recommended. See more about what psychotherapy is and how it is done.
Bibliography
- DAVE, Ninabahen D. et al. Stress and Allergic Diseases. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. Vol.31, n.1. 55-68, 2011
- PATTERSON, Amber M. et al. Perceived stress predicts allergy flares. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. Vol.112. 317-321, 2014
- LUDWIG, Martha W.B. et al. Lesion location and stress levels in dermatological patients. Psychology Studies. Vol.25, n.3. 343-352, 2008
- CALADO, Gisela; LOUREIRO, Graça et al. Stress and allergic disease: Underlying mechanisms. Rev Port Imunoallergology. Vol.20, n.1. 9-21, 2012
- REIGOTA, Catarina P. Stress and allergic disease. Master’s thesis, 2016. FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA.
