Both physical ailments and mental health fluctuations are widespread issues.
Medical science has traditionally treated physical symptoms and psychological distress as two separate areas.
However, new research published in Immediate Communication suggests that there is an unexpected connection within the body.
Signaling pathways inside the body
When a person experiences stress, the body releases chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline.
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These substances affect the body's protective barriers and increase oil production in the skin.
Figures from BJD show that 30% of people with long-term skin conditions also struggle with anxiety or depression.
Researcher Mariana Ramirez Posada explains that signals in the nervous system travel in both directions at the same time, with the brain sending messages to the skin while also receiving chemical responses in return.
Inflammation in the bloodstream
When prolonged irritation develops in the skin, the body produces special signaling molecules.
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These molecules are called cytokines, and they are carried through the bloodstream to the brain.
In the brain, they influence the mechanisms that regulate mood, sleep, and stress, including neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
The new study analyzed hundreds of proteins in blood samples collected from patients.
Professor Mohammad Jafferany of Central Michigan University points out that the relationship between skin conditions and mental well-being is not merely psychological but deeply biological.
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Conditions such as acne and eczema do not trigger psychological reactions solely because of their appearance.
Instead, skin disorders and psychological symptoms are directly linked through the immune system and proteins in the bloodstream.
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