Stress and Acne: Are They Related???

Here in modern world, stress is the most common problem a person would have because it leads to so many other diseases the list of which would never be complete. It influences health in a large spectrum of ways. Recently in a study it has been found that it can flare up an acne reaction in an already acne prone patient. Although the exact mechanism is not know, it increases the receptors in skin for different stress hormones. These hormones increase the sebum production. Eventually sebum mixes with dead skin and block the pores leading to acne cyst or comedone formation. The study was done on few college students (around 20-22) with acne during exam period and increased acne pimple was noted.

Stress doent lead to new acne formation, but flares up the old ones. These acne cant be treated only with stress relieving unfortunately, but some anti acne cream like benzoyl peroxide etc or isotretinion tablet for resistant cases are used.