What’s a Stress Rash?

Do you find yourself itching like crazy when life gets a little hectic? You could be dealing with a stress rash. While a stress rash usually isn’t a severe problem, it can still feel like a significant disruption to your life. 

This article will inform you how to identify and eliminate a stress rash and treat the rash’s cause. 

Can You Get a Rash from Stress?

Can stress cause rashes? Yes, stress can cause rashes. Stress causes your body to release cortisol. This hormone can trigger many responses, including rashes and hives.

What Else Could it Be?

Allergic reactions are the most common cause of stress rashes. 

Common allergens include:

• Peanuts
• Nuts
• Cow’s milk
• Wheat
• Eggs
• Soy
• Seafood
• Pet dander
• Pollen
• Medications

Rashes can also be symptoms of many medical conditions. If your rash doesn’t clear up within a few days, talk to a doctor to rule out something potentially serious.

While Plushcare does not provide dermatologists access, they can refer you to a specialist. 

What Does Stress Rash Look Like?

Usually, a stress rash is comprised of itchy red bumps called hives. 

A hive can be as tiny as a pencil tip or as big as a dinner plate. Hives tend to occur in clusters and, while they can appear anywhere on the body, are most common on the neck, face, arms, or chest. While they’re usually itchy, hives may also cause a burning or tingling sensation.

Stress Rash Pictures

Could your rash be a stress rash? Here are some stress rash pictures to give you a better idea about whether your red, itchy skin could be a stress rash.

Stress Rash on Face

hives.org

Stress Hand On Rash

hives.org

Stress Rash on Neck

hives.org

Stress Rash on Arm

hives.org

Stress Rash on Chest

hives.org

Stress Rash on Leg

hives.org

Stress Rash Hives

hives.org

Is Stress Rash Contagious?

No, stress rashes are not contagious, you will not contract them by touching someone with this rash. They only affect the person struggling with stress. They often look like hives, and can occur on any part of the body.

How Do You Get Rid of a Stress Rash?

The best way to treat a stress rash is typically with over-the-counter antihistamines like:

• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• loratadine (Claritin)
• fexofenadine (Allegra)
• cetirizine (Zyrtec).

You can also relieve itching and swelling with a cold compress or hydrocortisone cream.

If you have persistent or recurring stress rashes, you may benefit from therapy to help you learn how to manage your stress better. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in particular, may be helpful. CBT tackles both your thoughts and behaviors for a comprehensive approach to improving your mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Stress Rashes Common?

Yes. Most people will experience stress at some point in their lives, and stress rashes are a common symptom of stress. Stress can cause a chemical response in the body which can cause a rash to occur. Some underlying conditions can also cause rashes that may be made worse with stress. 

These conditions include:

• Psoriasis
• Rosacea
• Eczema

Can Anxiety Cause Rashes?

Yes, anxiety may cause rashes. Mental illnesses, like many common anxiety disorders, often have physical symptoms like hives. When anxiety manifests in the body, it’s stress response can proportionally increase. This affects the nervous system and can cause anxiety rashes. 

If your anxiety is giving you rashes it may be time to talk to a doctor or therapist about your treatment options. 

Is There Such Thing As a Depression Stress Rash?

Yes, depression and other mental illnesses may cause stress rashes and hives. A depression stress rash can be triggered by emotional stress. The body can respond to this increased stress visibly on the skin in the form of a rash. 

While stress rash is a symptom of depression and is no cause for immediate alarm it may be a sign that it’s time to seek depression help. 

How Do You Treat an Itchy Stress Rash?

Over-the-counter antihistamines are usually the best way to treat stress rashes. Cool compresses and hydrocortisone creams may help, too. 

Top over the counter antihistamines for a stress rash are: 

• Benadryl
• Zyrtec
• Allegra
• Claritin 

If you aren’t getting enough relief from these methods, you may want to speak to a doctor about other options.

Get Stress Rash Treatment

If over-the-counter antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream aren’t giving you enough relief from your stress rash, you might want to talk to a doctor about other treatment options. With PlushCare, you can have an online video appointment and save yourself a trip to a doctor’s office.

After talking with one of our licensed doctors and telling them about your symptoms, medical history, and medications, the doctor will discuss potential treatment options with you. If necessary, they can refer you to a dermatologist specializing in rashes.

To schedule an appointment, click here, download the PlushCare mobile app.

If you have chronic stress hives, therapy may help you learn how to better handle your stress, which may help eliminate or prevent stress rashes. 

PlushCare, now provides online therapy. Our licensed therapists can help teach you ways to manage your stress more successfully. To make an appointment with a therapist, click here. You can also get a free consultation by calling 1-800-690-1562 or emailing [email protected]

Click here to learn more about online therapy with PlushCare. 

---

Read More

• What’s My Rash? Pictures And Descriptions Of 21 Rash Types
• Get Anxiety Treatment Online
• How to Relieve Stress

---

Sources

Scripps. Can Stress Cause Rashes? Accessed on December 10, 2020 at https://www.scripps.org/news_items/6955-can-stress-cause-rashes

Allina Health. Stress rash on skin: Symptoms, causes and prevention. Accessed on December 10, 2020 at https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/heal/stress-rash-on-skin-symptoms-causes-and-prevention

The American Institute of Stress. What to Do When Stress Gives You Hives. Accessed on December 10, 2020 at https://www.stress.org/what-to-do-when-stress-gives-you-hives