How Stress Triggers Eczema (and What You Can Do to Calm Down)

Healing Tree
Jul 3
3 min read

Have you ever noticed your eczema flaring after a particularly stressful day?Maybe it’s after a difficult conversation, a restless night, or a week that’s left you feeling completely drained.

You’re not imagining it. Stress can absolutely make eczema worse. In fact, for many of the people we care for at our Central Coast acupuncture clinic, stress is one of the biggest hidden triggers behind their flare-ups.

The Mind-Skin Connection: Why Stress Impacts Eczema

When you're under stress, your body produces hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, these help you cope. But when stress becomes chronic, they begin to disrupt your immune system, weaken your skin barrier, and increase inflammation.

This can lead to:

Heightened skin sensitivity
More itching, redness, and flare-ups
Slower skin healing
Worsening of TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal) symptoms if present

If you've already changed your skincare or diet but still find your skin reacting “for no reason,” it may be time to consider how stress is affecting your body.

Calming the Nervous System with Acupuncture

At Healing Tree Acupuncture on the Central Coast, one of the most common things we hear is:“I didn’t realise how tense I was until I finally felt calm again.”

Acupuncture isn’t just about physical symptoms. It’s a deeply relaxing treatment that helps regulate the nervous system and supports the body’s natural healing abilities.

Our patients often experience:

Lower stress and anxiety levels
Better sleep and digestion
Reduced inflammation
A calmer, more balanced nervous system
Healthier, more resilient skin

Even just one treatment can help your body begin to shift from “fight or flight” into “rest and repair” mode.

Simple Daily Rituals to Support Calm and Clarity

Alongside acupuncture, here are some gentle, practical ways to calm your mind each day:

Belly breathing — Inhale deeply into your lower abdomen, then exhale slowly. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system.
Take a mindful pause — Go outside. Feel the breeze. Let the sunlight touch your skin.
Switch off screens earlier — Blue light disrupts your sleep cycle and nervous system.
Soak your feet — Try warm water with Epsom salts or calming herbs. It grounds and soothes the body.
Write it out — A few minutes of journaling can help release emotional tension.
Herbal teas — Chamomile, lemon balm, or roasted barley tea can be calming and skin-friendly.

You’re Not Alone — And You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Eczema can affect more than just your skin. It impacts how you sleep, how you relate to others, and how you feel in your own body.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, know that there is a way forward.

Natural Eczema and Stress Support — Right Here on the Central Coast

At Healing Tree Acupuncture & Natural Medicine in Gosford, we offer personalised support for eczema, TSW, and stress-related skin issues. Our approach blends the wisdom of Chinese medicine with practical lifestyle support to help you heal from the inside out.

We offer: