Stress Elevates Neutrophil Counts, Potentially Impacting Skin Infection Severity
Stress can significantly increase neutrophil counts in the bloodstream through a process called demargination, where mature neutrophils detach from blood vessel walls and enter circulation. This mechanism is primarily activated by stress hormones like adrenaline. Normally, about half of the body's mature neutrophils are attached to vessel walls, particularly in the lungs and spleen. Adrenaline causes these cells to release into the bloodstream, leading to a rapid increase in measured neutrophil counts, potentially by 2,000 to 4,000 cells per microliter within minutes, without the production of new cells. While neutrophils are crucial for fighting infections by engulfing microbes and releasing enzymes, elevated levels due to stress can also disrupt skin barrier integrity, leading to inflammation and potentially facilitating further microbial invasion. This interplay highlights a complex relationship between psychological stress and immune function, particularly concerning skin infections.
