Which physiological condition can be aggravated by stress?

Alopecia, which refers to hair loss, can indeed be aggravated by stress. Stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, where hair follicles prematurely enter the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle, leading to increased hair loss. In cases of alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition, stress may also exacerbate the immune response, causing more significant hair loss. Understanding the relationship between stress and alopecia highlights the importance of managing stress levels not only for overall health but also for hair health.

While other conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne can also be influenced by stress, the connection to alopecia is particularly noted due to the direct biological pathways involved in hair follicle function and growth cycles. Each of these skin and hair conditions can have stress as a contributing factor, but the specific mechanism of stress aggravating alopecia makes it a unique case.