Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesManagementPreventionWhen to See a ProviderOther Causes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Management
Prevention
When to See a Provider
Other Causes
A stress rash typically shows up as hives (urticaria) on the face, neck, chest, or arms. Stress causes your immune system to release chemicals that help fight off foreign substances or allergens that present a physical “threat” to your body. Essentially, your body is having an allergic reaction to stress.
This article discusses stress rash, including what it looks like, and what causes it. It also discusses how to manage symptoms and ways to prevent recurrent outbreaks.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
What Does a Stress Rash Look Like?
A stress rash usually presents as hives or welts on the skin. These bumps can appear on any part of the body but are more common on the face, neck, chest, and arms. Hives are often raised off the skin (swollen) and can vary in color.
Stress rashes are typically very itchy. You might also notice a burning or tingling sensation in the affected area.
It’s estimated that up to 20% of people will experience hives at some point during their lives.
What Causes a Stress Rash?
Your skin is an organ that detects when the body is stressed and reacts to stress.The exact reason stress causes a rash is not clear, but the nervous system and immune system both play a role.
The immune system releases a chemical called histamine when presented with an allergen—anything your body might recognize as a “foreign substance.” This causes an allergic reaction. Histamine can also be released in response to stress.
How to Manage a Stress Rash
Managing a stress rash includes addressing the underlying stressors and dealing with symptoms when they occur.
Address the Cause
The best way to address a stress rash is to manage the underlying cause: your stress. Though not all stress is avoidable (or even bad), there are things you can do to decrease symptoms of stress. Try these tips:
How to Manage Stress: Top Strategies for Stress Relief
Use Medication for Symptoms
Stress rash symptoms can often be managed at home, but in more severe cases a prescription medication may be needed. Over-the-counter and prescription medications that might be helpful include:
Relieve Itchiness
Home remedies can help relieve itchiness and associated symptoms. For example:
Avoid Heat
Heat can make you sweat, which can make your symptoms worse. If you have a stress rash and the weather is hot, it is a good idea to stay indoors until your symptoms resolve.
Wear Loose Clothing
Wear loose clothing made of cotton to avoid irritating the rash. Tight clothing can create friction between the fabric and your skin, which could make your symptoms worse.
How to Prevent a Stress Rash
Stress rash is not always preventable, but identifying your triggers and managing your stressors can help decrease the frequency and intensity of your symptoms.
Practice Coping Strategies
If you’re experiencing emotional stress, it can help to talk to a therapist or someone you trust about what you’re feeling and how you can manage the situation.
Identify and Avoid Triggers
Your triggers could be internal or external. Stress can come from emotional experiences or high-pressure situations, but it can also come from the environment.
Extreme temperatures, noise, crowds, and poor air quality are examples of environmental stress. Recognizing these triggers and taking steps to avoid them or manage them can help prevent stress-related symptoms.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If your rash does not improve with home remedies, see your healthcare provider. It’s important to have your rash looked at if it:
Similar Rashes
A stress rash often occurs when you are in a high-pressure situation or are feeling anxious. You’ll likely have other physicalsymptoms of stressat the same time. These can include:
Summary
Management strategies for a stress rash include identifying and coping with the cause of your stress and addressing symptoms with home remedies and medications.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Konstantinou GN, Konstantinou GN.Psychological stress and chronic urticaria: a neuro-immuno-cutaneous crosstalk. A systematic review of the existing evidence.Clinical Therapeutics. 2020;42(5):771-782. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.03.010American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.Hives.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(11).Harvard Health Publishing.Understanding the stress response.University of Utah.Stressed out skin: The link between stress and skin health.Chauveau F, De Job E, Poly-Thomasson B, et al.Procognitive impact of ciproxifan (a histaminergic H3 receptor antagonist) on contextual memory retrieval after acute stress.CNS Neurosci Ther.2019;25(8):832-841. doi:10.1111/cns.13113Goyal N, Prabhu SS.Stress and common dermatological disorders: The psychophysiological dermatoses.Clin Dermatol Rev. 2023;7(4):327-32. doi:10.4103/cdr.cdr_8_22National Institutes of Health.7 steps to manage stress and build resilience.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: Evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.Penn Medicine.Rash.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Konstantinou GN, Konstantinou GN.Psychological stress and chronic urticaria: a neuro-immuno-cutaneous crosstalk. A systematic review of the existing evidence.Clinical Therapeutics. 2020;42(5):771-782. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.03.010American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.Hives.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(11).Harvard Health Publishing.Understanding the stress response.University of Utah.Stressed out skin: The link between stress and skin health.Chauveau F, De Job E, Poly-Thomasson B, et al.Procognitive impact of ciproxifan (a histaminergic H3 receptor antagonist) on contextual memory retrieval after acute stress.CNS Neurosci Ther.2019;25(8):832-841. doi:10.1111/cns.13113Goyal N, Prabhu SS.Stress and common dermatological disorders: The psychophysiological dermatoses.Clin Dermatol Rev. 2023;7(4):327-32. doi:10.4103/cdr.cdr_8_22National Institutes of Health.7 steps to manage stress and build resilience.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: Evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.Penn Medicine.Rash.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Konstantinou GN, Konstantinou GN.Psychological stress and chronic urticaria: a neuro-immuno-cutaneous crosstalk. A systematic review of the existing evidence.Clinical Therapeutics. 2020;42(5):771-782. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.03.010American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.Hives.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(11).Harvard Health Publishing.Understanding the stress response.University of Utah.Stressed out skin: The link between stress and skin health.Chauveau F, De Job E, Poly-Thomasson B, et al.Procognitive impact of ciproxifan (a histaminergic H3 receptor antagonist) on contextual memory retrieval after acute stress.CNS Neurosci Ther.2019;25(8):832-841. doi:10.1111/cns.13113Goyal N, Prabhu SS.Stress and common dermatological disorders: The psychophysiological dermatoses.Clin Dermatol Rev. 2023;7(4):327-32. doi:10.4103/cdr.cdr_8_22National Institutes of Health.7 steps to manage stress and build resilience.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: Evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.Penn Medicine.Rash.
Konstantinou GN, Konstantinou GN.Psychological stress and chronic urticaria: a neuro-immuno-cutaneous crosstalk. A systematic review of the existing evidence.Clinical Therapeutics. 2020;42(5):771-782. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.03.010
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
Hives.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(11).
Harvard Health Publishing.Understanding the stress response.
University of Utah.Stressed out skin: The link between stress and skin health.
Chauveau F, De Job E, Poly-Thomasson B, et al.Procognitive impact of ciproxifan (a histaminergic H3 receptor antagonist) on contextual memory retrieval after acute stress.CNS Neurosci Ther.2019;25(8):832-841. doi:10.1111/cns.13113
Goyal N, Prabhu SS.Stress and common dermatological disorders: The psychophysiological dermatoses.Clin Dermatol Rev. 2023;7(4):327-32. doi:10.4103/cdr.cdr_8_22
National Institutes of Health.7 steps to manage stress and build resilience.
Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: Evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.
Penn Medicine.Rash.
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