HEALTH : Skin Disease Linked to Stress

A University of Pennsylvania study indicates stress can worsen skin diseases, giving credence to a theory long held by doctors.

The study, scheduled for publication today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows nerve fibers in the skin release a protein that triggers inflammation, such as in psoriasis or acne.

“There is now some evidence to show that, at least in the skin, the immune response is controlled to some extent by state of mind and emotional status,” said Dr. George Murphy, the study’s lead author.

“For dermatologists, this is remarkably significant because of the observation that has been held for hundreds of years that anxiety and stress can provoke itching or cause worsening of skin diseases,” Murphy said.