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Increased Stress Levels Alter Normal Cutaneous Function

Although it is generally accepted that there is a relation between psychological status and skin disease, the nature of this relation remains largely unexplored. In order to gain a better understanding of such an interaction, these researchers studied, during periods of high and low stress, 27 healthy, young adult students with no evidence of skin disease.

All subjects completed surveys to assess their self-perceived stress levels at three times during an academic semester: when stress was presumed to be low (just after winter vacation), high (during exams), and low again (during spring vacation). At the time of each survey, the integrity of the subjects' cutaneous permeability barrier was evaluated, which involved measuring fluid loss after temporary disruption of the skin barrier by cellophane tape stripping. The researchers found a marked increase in barrier disruption during times of increased psychological stress. The changes in skin integrity were reversed as students returned to low-stress status.

Comment: The authors suggest that these results provide the first evidence of a link between psychological status and cutaneous function in human beings. Many other recent studies suggest a role for neurotransmitters in the induction of cutaneous inflammation and cytokine production. Thus, there is a rapidly accumulating body of evidence demonstrating a functional neurocutaneous interrelationship that requires extensive further research to be fully understood. Certainly, this line of study will advance our understanding of such diseases as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

— BS Smoller

Published in Journal Watch Dermatology March 12, 2001

Citation(s):

Garg A et al. Psychological stress perturbs epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis: Implications for the pathogenesis of stress-associated skin disorders. Arch Dermatol 2001 Jan 137 53-59.

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