Treating Skin Irritation due to Anxiety and Stress Posted: 01-16-06 08:18am
About fifteen years ago, I was working in
central Africa and developed a severe
itching on my right forearm (enough to
prevent me sleeping, and I broke the skin
with scratching). Thinking this might be
some fore of mite I consulate the doctor.
He didn’t find anything, and gave me
some skin crème (Betanovate).
Eventually, after about two weeks it went
away.
Five years late, this time in Saudi Arabia
the same itching developed but on the left
forearm. I tried the betanovate again,
but no relief. I was almost driven to
distraction and consulted the doctor. He
said that my skin was very dry due to too
much exposure to the sun, and recommended
moisturizing crème. Again, after about
two weeks it went away.
Now, four years later, I am in Thailand
and the itching is in the left forearm. I
have scratches so hard and deep that the
skin has broken and become infected. The
local doctor has treated the infection,
but has no idea about the itching.
On serious reflection, I now realize that
on each occasion I was going through a
stressful period in my personal life
(first time getting divorced, second time
losing my job, and this time severe
financial problems). My job has always
been a ‘stressful’ one, but that I am
able to handle, which is why it never
occurred to me until now that this itching
might be related to a different kind of
stress.
Is this possible? Have others suffered
the same symptoms? What can I do for
short term relief? Any help gratefully
accepted.
Yes, it is possible that extreme skin
itching is caused due to stress and
anxiety. It is called "neurodermatitis".
You can use local treatment via a
corticosteroid balsam. If the skin is
infected, the balsam should contain
antibiotics in addition to
corticosteroids. For anxiety you can seek
a doctor’s consultation and prescription
for temporary use of anxiolytics (ie.
deazepam).
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