6 skin and hair conditions linked to stress

Stress is a nasty cycle: Feeling stressed can affect several skin and hair conditions, and living with those conditions can make you feel even more stressed.

Feeling stressed makes it easier for you to get sick and affects your quality of life. This is because the hormones released when you’re stressed, like cortisol, affect the way your body works.

A dermatologist can help you combat the effects of stress on your skin and hair.

How can stress affect my skin and hair?

1. Gray hair. Researchers have found stress helps cause gray hair by making the melanin — the substance that gives hair and skin color — move out of your hair follicles.
   
   How do I treat it? Everyone gets gray hair eventually, and many factors affect how early your hair starts to gray. However, dermatologists say following the healthy habits at What causes gray hair, and can I stop it? can help delay the gray.

2. Eczema/Atopic dermatitis. Stress does not cause eczema, but it may make your eczema feel even itchier. Because stress makes it harder for your skin to heal, feeling stressed can also lengthen eczema flares.
   
   How do I treat it? You can control your eczema with proper treatment. The first step is keeping your skin moisturized, no matter how mild or severe your eczema is. A treatment plan created by a dermatologist can help reduce flares and provide relief. For more information on stress and eczema, head to Stress: Is it a common eczema trigger?
   

   Feeling itchy?

   Stress hormones can worsen itch, especially if you have a condition like eczema, psoriasis, or urticaria (hives).

   

3. Psoriasis. Stress does not cause psoriasis. However, some people who have psoriasis say stress may trigger their psoriasis flare-ups. It’s also common to feel stressed because of the way psoriasis looks and feels.
   
   How do I treat it? There’s no cure for psoriasis, but treatment can reduce your flare-ups and improve your quality of life. Psoriasis is a lifelong disease that can take a toll on your mental health. Learning what triggers your psoriasis and avoiding those situations is one way to take back control. Find out more about psoriasis triggers at Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?

4. Chronic urticaria. Urticaria, or hives, can be extremely uncomfortable. Hives can be triggered by many factors, including allergies to medications or foods, infections, or sunlight. Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Some people experience hives when they’re highly stressed. Having hives can also affect your mood and impact how well you sleep.
   
   How do I treat it? Hives can be stubborn. Dermatologists say proper skin care, like using fragrance-free products, can help, along with treatments like medication or light therapy. See what dermatologists recommend at Chronic spontaneous urticaria: Effective treatment possible.

5. Hair loss and hair shedding. Stressful life events, like being very sick or giving birth, can sometimes cause your hair to fall out, or shed, because of a condition called telogen effluvium. Psychological stress, like losing a loved one or pressure at work, can also trigger telogen effluvium.
   
   Feeling stressed can also cause urges to pull out your hair, a disorder called trichotillomania. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, may also be connected to stress.
   
   How do I treat it? The earlier you start treating hair loss, the better your results. Dermatologists treat hair loss in many ways.

6. Acne. Your acne can be caused by several factors, like genetics or using oily products. Stress can worsen your acne. When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones that increase the amount of oil your skin makes. This increase in oil can clog the pores in your skin and cause an acne flare-up.
   
   

   How do I treat it? Dermatologists can help clear acne, stop new breakouts, and prevent scarring. Taking care of your skin during treatment can help you get the best results. Try these 6 skin care habits that can clear acne to help manage your condition.

How can I treat stress?

If you’ve partnered with a dermatologist and found the cause of your skin or hair condition, you’re off to a great start. However, if stress affects your condition, you also need to manage your stress.

When you combine them with treatment for your skin or hair condition, mind-body practices can help reduce stress. Examples include meditation, yoga, visualization, and breathing exercises.

Seeing a therapist, joining a support group, and taking medication to help relieve stress are options if you need more help. Seeking help to manage stress may be what you need to feel better emotionally.

You’re not alone

If your stress feels like too much to handle, help is available.

These tactics can help you manage stress and feel better. However, dermatologists say skin and hair conditions still need medical treatment.

When should I see a dermatologist?

Partnering with a board-certified dermatologist is a good first step to take control of your skin or hair condition and manage your stress. To find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, go to Find a dermatologist.

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References
Lönndahl L, Abdelhadi S, Holst M, et al. Psychological Stress and Atopic Dermatitis: A Focus Group Study. Ann Dermatol. 2023 Oct;35(5):342-347.

Pujos, M., Chamayou-Robert, C., Parat, M., et al. (2024), Impact of Chronic Moderate Psychological Stress on Skin Aging: Exploratory Clinical Study and Cellular Functioning. J Cosmet Dermatol.

Zhang, H, et al. Role of stress in skin diseases: A neuroendocrine-immune interaction view. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 2024: 116: 286-302.

Written by:
Brooke Schleehauf

Reviewed by:
Elaine T. Kaye, MD, FAAD
Elan M. Newman, MD, FAAD
Brittany Oliver, MD, FAAD

Last updated: 3/4/25