Stress & Infections: How Chronic Stress Opens the Door to Skin, Bacterial and Viral Infections in Various Systems in Our Body.
When the physical barriers of the body, the skin and the mucous membranes are affected due to high stress, it can lead to various health consequences and potential infections.
Skin infections happens when the pathogens, the immune system and other factors interact with each other. Some of the common skin infections that can be created, triggered or worsened due to chronic stress are:
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Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infections, causing oral herpes around the mouth (cold sores) and genital herpes.
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Acne, caused by hormonal changes that increase oil production and inflammation, causing breakouts.
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Impetigo, a bacterial skin infection appearing to be red sores or blisters that can ooze and crust over.
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Eczema ( Dermatitis ), a chronic skin condition can be triggered or worsened causing redness, itching and dry inflamed skin.
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Fungal skin infection caused by changes to skin’s pH level promotes growth of fungal skin infections like candidiasis which can be oral thrush or yeast infection and ringworm.
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Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition triggered or worsened by stress affecting the skin cells, leading to red, scaly patches on the skin.
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Folliculitis is a hair follicles infection caused by friction or damage to the skin, when the skin’s defies is weakened causing folliculitis, causing red, pimple-like bumps and itching.
Bacterial infection happens when your body is no longer able to fight off bacteria due to weakened immune systems. Some of the common bacterial infection that can be influenced by stress are:
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection affecting the lungs and can potentially impact other parts of the body. Stress may increase the risk of TB infection or reactivation of individuals who have had it in the past.
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Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs) is an infection which can occur in kidneys, uterus, bladder and urethra caused by E.coli or other bacteria and stress can increase the risk of urinary tract infections.
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Staphylococcus aureus Infections (Staph infections ) is an infection that can cause minor skin abscesses to more serious conditions like cellulitis and MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ).
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Helicobacter pylori is a bacterial infection that can affect the gut causing ulcers and gastritis, and can be progressed with high stress.
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Gastrointestinal infections can occur by the imbalance of the bacteria in the gut, disrupted by stress making the intestinal barriers more susceptible to infections causing diarrhea and vomiting, abdominal cramps and pain, fever, dehydration, and in severe cases post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and in more severe cases death.
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Respiratory bacterial infections can infect the lungs, when under chronic stress, the body can become more vulnerable to infections such as Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Sinusitis, aggravate chronic respiratory conditions like COPD.
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Streptococcal infections are primarily caused by the bacteria themselves, however high stress can make the individual vulnerable to fight the bacterias which may lead to strep throat if untreated can lead to Rheumatic Fever, which can affect the heart, skin, joints and other organs.
Chronic stress can make the individual more susceptible to various fungal infections when the skin and mucous membranes are compromised.
To name a few:
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Candida is a type of yeast that can cause infections in different parts of the body, including the mouth (oral thrush), skin and the genital area (vaginal yeast infections) when stress disrupt the balance of microorganisms, potentially leading to candidiasis.
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Tinea, the fungal infections that affect the skin, hair, and nails. Common types include athlete's foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris), and ringworm (tinea corporis).
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Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that affects the toenails and fingernails, which can occur when the immune function is compromised causing poor circulation contributing to the development of onychomycosis.
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Pityriasis Versicolor ( Tinea versicolor) is a fungal infection that causes discoloured patches on the skin. Stress can impact the immune system's ability to control the overgrowth of the responsible yeast, Malassezia.
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Oral thrush is the result of weakened body’s defences against Candida due to stress. This fungal infection appears as white, creamy patches on the tongue, mouth, and throat.
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Intertrigo is a fungal infection that can develop by increased sweating, allowing the fungal to grow, it can be found mostly under the breasts, between the toes and the groin.
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Nail bed infection is caused by fungi and can be found around the nail bed including paronychia.
In summary,
It is important to note that stress can be managed before it becomes chronic. It begins with fostering resilience and well-being, emotionally and physically. Although other factors such as economical, social and financial status of individuals and families can impact the type of challenges that causes stress, the basic things that help to reduce stress for most individuals are stress management techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and time management, a healthy lifestyle which includes 8 hrs of sleep, nutritious meals, and regular exercise, quality time with friends and family while limiting screen time, extracurricular activities, hobbies, and creative arts.
When support is not available at home, seek it from friends or professionals if necessary to prioritize mental health to help yourself or your loved ones.
