How Constant Startling Triggers Eczema
Insights from a Therapist Specialising in Stress-Related Skin Issues
As a therapist specialising in stress-related skin conditions, I have seen first-hand how early experiences shape a baby’s nervous system and their skin. A baby’s world begins in the body, not the mind. Every sudden noise, jolt, or interruption tells the nervous system to be alert. If startles happen repeatedly, the stress system stays stuck in the switched on position, and over time this can appear as eczema or other skin flare-ups.
The Baby’s Stress Command Centre
Deep in the brain, the hypothalamic pituitary axis or HPA axis controls stress hormones. The hypothalamus reads signals from the body, and the pituitary gland passes instructions to other hormone-producing glands. Together, they coordinate the body’s response to danger.
Repeated exposure to loud noises.
Bangs, or sudden movements keeps a baby’s nervous system in a constant state of alert, leading to elevated levels of cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, this chronic activation can have several effects: the brain becomes hyper-alert as the amygdala grows overactive while calming regions lag behind; the immune system becomes unstable, swinging between overreaction and suppression; and the skin barrier weakens because cortisol slows repair and increases inflammation, promoting eczema.
From clinical experience, when fast electrical startle signals arrive too frequently the slower stress hormones don’t have a time to reset, so the body becomes chemically trapped in stress, and the skin reacts visibly.
This aligns with findings that chronic stress can lead to an increase in proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor, which are associated with skin conditions like eczema. Ann Allergy
Additionally, stress-induced eczema can leave the skin dry, irritated, and itchy, serving as a visible display of the body’s internal turmoil. Cleveland Clinic
Understanding this connection is crucial for developing effective strategies to manage and mitigate eczema flare-ups.
Important: Creams and lotions only relieve the visible irritation or dryness, but they do not address the underlying slow chemical stress response that drives ongoing inflammation, so until the nervous system has a chance to reset, flare-ups are likely to continue.
Common Noises That Can Startle a Baby
Door slams
Dog barking
Loud television or music
Vacuum cleaner
Microwave beeps
Alarms or timers
Even everyday household sounds can trigger repeated alarm if sudden or unpredictable.
Feelings vs. States: Understanding the Impact on Skin Health
A feeling is a brief, fast electrical signal controlled by the brain, which is wired to every blood vessel in the body. When a stressor occurs, this signal prompts blood vessels to constrict, creating a kinaesthetic sensation that tells the baby what is happening in the moment.
In contrast, a state is a longer-term chemical condition that follows if the stressor persists. This state lingers and can lead to epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation of hormone receptor genes like oxytocin and cortisol, which can affect their expression and function. PubMed+1
When alarm feelings repeat too quickly, the chemical state cannot reset, and this persistent stress state can drive eczema and inflammation. PubMed
Understanding the distinction between feelings and states is crucial for addressing skin issues effectively.
How Safety Lets the System Reset
Gentle touch, quiet voices, predictable routines, and eye contact tell the hypothalamus the world is safe, so electrical alarms drop, cortisol and adrenaline return to baseline, and the skin can repair itself, while each calm interaction teaches the nervous system a rhythm of brief alertness followed by recovery, which protects the brain, immunity, and skin.
In Simple Terms
Repeated startling keeps fast electrical alarm signals firing and prevents slower stress hormones from resetting. The body becomes stuck in a stress state, and eczema can appear.
While creams may soothe the surface, the underlying chemical stress response drives ongoing flare-ups. Predictable, gentle care allows the system to reset, keeping a baby’s mind, hormones, and skin healthy.