Can Stress Cause Hives?

Chronic stress can cause many things to go awry with the body, including hives. From a physiological perspective, the stress response, or the "fight or flight" response, is actually a very fascinating part of how our brain functions. The fight or flight response is the automatic alert system of our brain and its main function is to help us survive...to protect us. This system gets activated in response to a stressor. Its stress response is the bodies way of adapting to something that has happened...a way to adapt to the stressors of life. rnThe stress response is a response to a stressor. Hives are usually experienced as red or white bumps on top of the skin, itchy, or a sting. What is known about hives is that they usually appear suddenly, but how long they last is less certain. Some hives disappear just as quickly as they appeared, and some may last for weeks. Just as with many conditions that are brought on by chronic stress, most people do not realize that our skin is an organ. And, its basic job is to protect us from environmental stressors like bacteria and infection. For many, hives are an allergic reaction to something experienced in the environment. One reason skin sweats is to eliminate toxins...through perspiration...from the skin. Yes. Aside from environmental influences that may trigger the stress response, hives have also been linked as a reaction to emotional stress. When stressed, the body naturally releases a cascade of hormones to prepare the body for fight or flight. Each hormone has its own function on that survival mission. For reasons less unknown, in some people, there are too many stress chemicals and hormones released and it creates a hormone imbalance. It is that hormone imbalance that can create stress hives. When the cascade of hormones subsides...or, the body comes back into balance...the hives disappear. There are many unknowns as to why emotional stress can cause hives. It is theorized that hives from emotional stress are linked to the negative effects that stress has on the immune system of the body. Often the specific cause of hives cannot be identified, and the remedies can vary from person to person. Regardless of the stressor that has triggered your hives, a good suggestion is to practice whatever stress relaxation techniques work best for you. Bringing the body back into balance can also facilitate healing and help to reduce hives.