TLDR Stress increases certain chemicals in the skin and nerves, which might worsen skin conditions.
In the 2007 study, researchers found that stress and nerve growth factor (NGF) injections in mice increased the levels of neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and skin. This up-regulation led to a higher number of SP and CGRP nerve fibers in the dermis, which could be prevented by neutralizing NGF, indicating NGF's crucial role in this process. These findings suggest that stress can exacerbate skin disorders, potentially including alopecia areata, by promoting neurogenic inflammation through NGF-dependent pathways. The study did not specify the total number of mice used but mentioned groups of four for certain treatments.
293 citations,
November 2005 in “Trends in Immunology” Stress can worsen skin conditions and stop hair growth by affecting the body's stress response system.
115 citations,
November 2004 in “Brain Behavior and Immunity” Stress increases nerve fibers and immune cell activity in mouse skin, possibly worsening skin conditions.
108 citations,
July 2004 in “American Journal of Pathology” Stress increases a factor in mice that leads to hair loss, and blocking this factor may prevent it.
194 citations,
March 2003 in “American Journal of Pathology” Stress stops hair growth in mice by causing early hair growth phase end and harmful inflammation through a specific nerve-related pathway.
6 citations,
December 2019 in “BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine” Alcohol extract from Vernonia anthelmintica seeds may help treat stress-related hair loss.
7 citations,
April 2013 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Tianeptine, an antidepressant, may prevent stress-induced hair loss in mice.
16 citations,
December 2012 in “The Clinical Journal of Pain” Chronic scalp pain in trichodynia involves both body-wide and localized increased pain sensitivity.
7 citations,
July 2021 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Human skin can be reconnected to nerves using stem cells, which may help with skin health and healing.
Botulinum toxin type A significantly reduces scalp psoriasis severity compared to placebo.
