Scientists have identified a nerve pathway that connects psychological stress to the worsening of eczema. Using mouse models, researchers found that stress activates 'fight-or-flight' nerves in the skin, which trigger eosinophils-white blood cells that can irritate the skin.
The study, led by Fudan University, examined 51 eczema patients and found a direct link between stress levels and inflammation severity. Further experiments with mice showed that reducing eosinophils lessened the impact of stress on eczema symptoms.
Researchers suggest that managing stress could be a key strategy in treating eczema. The findings, published in Science, highlight the complex interaction between the nervous and immune systems in skin inflammation.
