The skin can react suddenly to a stressful situation. Anxiety causes a variety of skin complications that are either sporadic or ongoing. Having visible areas that are inflamed on the skin can also increase levels of anxiety. Stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, and ongoing exercise will help to lower anxiety levels and work to keep the skin calm and healthy, notes MedlinePlus.
Hives
Hives can result from emotional anxiety, notes MedlinePlus. Hives consist of red, itchy, bumpy raised patches on the skin. They can appear suddenly and move quickly from one area of the body to another. Sometimes the hives will disappear rapidly and other times they will linger. Hives can return numerous times after disappearing the first time they appear. A doctor will diagnose hives via a visual examination of the red blotches on the skin. Hives are usually harmless and will typically disappear without treatment. In rare cases, hives located on the skin of the throat can cause problems with breathing and lead to death.
Eczema
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin disorder that flares at times of stress, notes MedlinePlus. Eczema creates swollen red areas on the skin that have a dry, scaly texture. Eczema also makes the skin feel very itchy. This disorder will be either sporadic or an ongoing skin issue.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is linked to anxiety. During times of stress this disorder will often become more severe. Psoriasis causes red patches on the skin over joints and also under the hair on the scalp, notes MedlinePlus. Psoriasis is often a life-long condition that flares and wanes in a cycle and is linked to changes in the immune system, notes the National Psoriasis Foundation.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis can flare during times of anxiety. This disorder is not a health risk. However, it does affect the appearance of the skin. It causes red patches with skin that scales off on the nose, eyebrows, eyelids, torso of the body and near the ears, notes MedlinePlus.
