{"id":626496,"date":"2024-01-30T09:30:14","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T14:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626496"},"modified":"2025-01-17T14:30:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T19:30:46","slug":"stress-rash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/stress-rash\/","title":{"rendered":"Can stress cause hives or a rash?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not many <\/span>skin conditions<\/span><\/a> have a place in pop culture, but stress rash was actually a plot point in the 1998 Farrelly brothers\u2019 comedy <\/span>There\u2019s Something About Mary<\/span><\/i>. Chris Elliot, who has been itching intermittently throughout the film, is revealed to be Cameron Diaz\u2019s longtime stalker when he appears with his face and head covered in large red welts. As she confronts him, Diaz asks, \u201cThe rash thing is still there, right?\u201d Scratching one of the hives, Elliot replies, \u201cThey went away for a while, but then you came back into my life.\u201d While this scene was exaggerated for comedic effect, <\/span>research has found<\/span> that stress from any cause, even when not caused by unrequited love or obsession, can trigger the appearance of hives or rashes known as urticaria.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are stress hives common?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Clinically, urticaria is quite common. \u201cI see it every week in my practice,\u201d says <\/span>Deirdre O\u2019Boyle Hooper, MD<\/span><\/a>, co-founder of Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, Louisiana. Worldwide, it is estimated to affect <\/span>20% of the population<\/span> during their lifetime. And while urticaria can have other causes, stress is not an uncommon one. \u201cStress can make any rash worse,\u201d Dr. Hooper says.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes a stress rash?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The reason? Skin and the nervous system are intimately connected as early as week three of gestation, Dr. Hooper says. <\/span>Recent research<\/span><\/a> shows that when you\u2019re stressed, the brain releases chemicals and triggers mast cells. Mast cells are part of the immune system that are present in the skin. They contain compounds called histamines, which contribute to <\/span>inflammation<\/span><\/a> when released. This can cause a stress rash or hives.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince many rashes may have multiple contributing factors, it is hard to know how common it is for rashes to be specifically related to stress,\u201d says <\/span>Marisa Garshick, MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist at <\/span>MDCS Dermatology<\/span><\/a> in New York. Stress from any source can cause elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol which increases inflammation that can cause rashes, hives, or worsen already existing health conditions such as <\/span>psoriasis<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>seborrheic dermatitis<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>eczema<\/span><\/a>, Dr. Garshick adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even worse, the stress from experiencing a rash can contribute to more cortisol being released, more subsequent inflammation, and more hives and <\/span>itchy skin rashes<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt becomes cyclical,\u201d Dr. Hopper says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does a stress rash look like?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cIn general, stress-induced rashes and hives may still look similar to other rashes and hives, so it can be hard to differentiate,\u201d Dr. Garshick says. That said, there are some giveaways that you\u2019re experiencing a stress rash.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hives and rashes are characterized by raised red bumps or welts on the skin and are often itchy due to the histamine released by mast cells. \u201cIf you’re wondering if you have hives or different rash, hives are never flaky or scaly, they\u2019re smooth,\u201d Dr. Hooper says. They also tend to have an irregular presentation rather than appearing in any kind of pattern.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also identify a stress rash or hives by process of elimination: If you haven\u2019t previously had an allergic reaction or allergies and haven\u2019t recently tried any new foods or medications, haven\u2019t used a <\/span>new laundry detergent, soap, or skin care product<\/span><\/a>, and you\u2019ve been under a lot of pressure or experiencing emotional turmoil when the itchy bumps appeared, it\u2019s likely that the source of your rash is stress-related. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where do stress hives or rashes typically occur on the body?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mast cells are found throughout the upper papillary dermis, just below the surface of the skin, so stress hi<\/span>ves can appear anywhere, but they are frequently found on the face, head, neck, chest, and limbs. The earliest signs of stress rash are raised, red bumps, which may only be few at first, can vary in size, and may or may not itch. These bumps may increase in number as time goes on, and itch more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other stress rash symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you are experiencing a stress rash or hives, you are likely to have the following symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n