Stress-Related Skin Disorders

The document from 2016 reviews the complex interplay between stress and skin disorders, emphasizing the bidirectional communication between the brain and the skin. It explains how stress affects the skin by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system, leading to changes in skin blood flow, immune function, and inflammation. Stress is shown to exacerbate conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, acne vulgaris, and alopecia areata by altering hormone and neurotransmitter levels, such as cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). A study on mice indicated that chronic stress, simulated by overexpression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), led to hair loss, which could be reversed by blocking CRH receptors, suggesting a potential pathway for hair follicle growth. The document underscores the need for further research into the local HPA axis and inflammatory mediators in the skin to develop new treatments for skin diseases. However, the number of mice used in the study is not specified, which is crucial for evaluating the study's strength. The document also discusses the role of CRH in various skin functions and disorders, including its impact on epidermal permeability, antimicrobial properties, and involvement in alopecia areata.