The Economy May Affect Your Skin: Doctors See Surge in Eczema and Psoriasis Since Start of Recession

The economic recession may be taking a toll on your skin, a new survey suggests.

The latest survey conducted by British researchers found that nine out of ten dermatologists noticed a rise in skin conditions triggered by stress, such as eczema and psoriasis, since the credit crunch started.

Experts at the British Skin Foundation said that because the distress of skin conditions have even lead some sufferers to resort to self-harm and suicide it was important to address any underlying emotional and anxiety problems that trigger the physical symptoms.

The survey, conducted at the British Association of Dermatologists’ annual conference, consisting of 105 doctors and nurses who specialize in skin conditions, found that 41 percent of doctors and nurses had seen a noticeable increase in stress-related breakouts and 5 percent reported a large increase and almost half had seen a small increase.

While the poll revealed that the recession is affecting eczema sufferers the most, there have also been rises in acne, psoriasis, a condition characterized by dry red patches of skin that is covered with silvery scales, and vitiligo, a condition in which pale patches appear on the skin.

Nearly half the doctors and nurses surveyed said that stressful event that can trigger skin conditions or worsen flare-ups need to be taken more seriously, and that the government should make counseling readily available.

The latest poll follows previous research in May, also conducted by the British Skin Foundation, which found that many people suffering from skin diseases have been verbally abused in public.

Researchers found 16 percent of the 729 men and women polled reported that their skin condition had resulted in them self-harming, 17 percent had contemplated suicide and seven had even attempted suicide.

"The recession brings with it a set of problems that add further stress and misery to the millions that live with a skin disease," BSF member Bevis Man said, according to the Daily Mail.

However, past findings also show that general health improves when times are tough because people reduce their consumption of rich foods, alcohol and smoking. Researchers found that during the Great Depression when US unemployment rose to nearly 25 percent, life expectancy also rose.