Volume 29, Issue 156, February 2025

Psychodermatology - the effects of stress on skin conditions in adults

Martyna Orzechowska¹, Michał Orczyk¹, Karolina Jabłońska¹, Aleksandra Roztoczyńska¹, Aleksandra Jeńć- Magoń¹, Piotr Paluch¹, Karol Leśniewski¹, Jakub Pudźwa¹, Kamil Gibczyński², Anita Król²

¹Kolegium Nauk Medycznych, Uniwersytet Rzeszowski al. Tadeusza Rejtana 16c, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
²Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny im. Fryderyka Chopina w Rzeszowie, ul. Fryderyka Szopena 2, 35-055 Rzeszów, Poland

ABSTRACT

Psychodermatology is an interdisciplinary field combining dermatology, psychiatry, and psychology, focusing on the impact of stress on skin conditions in adults. Both acute and chronic stress can exacerbate pre-existing skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne, and lead to new problems, including seborrheic dermatitis or stress-induced urticaria. Stress can also influence skin care behavior, such as excessive scratching or compulsive squeezing of skin lesions, worsening the skin condition and creating a continuous cycle of stress and dermatological manifestations. This study analyzed publications on the effects of stress on skin conditions and its association with dermatological problems in adults. Participants (n=210, 56% between 18-25 years of age, 53% female, and 63.3% tertiary education) completed a study survey. A total of 86.6% rated their stress levels as moderate or high. 56.7% frequently experienced stress symptoms such as fatigue or sleep problems. In stressful situations, 60% experienced worsening of skin conditions, while 76.7% experienced improvement of skin conditions during periods of low stress. The most frequent symptoms were redness, acne, itching, and peeling. More than 80% said their skin appearance affected their mood. Psychodermatology was mostly unknown (66.7%) but was considered a possible effective treatment of skin problems. The results indicate a strong association between stress and dermatological issues, highlighting the need for a holistic approach that integrates psychological support with dermatological therapy to improve therapeutic efficacy and quality of life in patients.

Keywords: Psychodermatology, psychological interventions, skin diseases, stress

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e33ms3503

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i156.e33ms3503

Published: 15 February 2025