Eczema is a skin disease that causes itchy and uncomfortable skin. People with eczema usually show symptoms such as redness, itching, dry patches of skin, and a burning sensation on the surface of the skin. The itchiness is very uncomfortable and causes one to scratch their skin, making it even more irritated and itchy.
Eczema can affect all kinds of people. There isn’t a particular age group or gender that gets more affected by eczema than others. The severity and symptoms of the disease vary from person to person depending on their skin type and how they take care of themselves. That is, what kind of products they use, what kind of food they eat etc. One should be careful to make sure that they do not dry out their skin even more, when it starts flaring up due to eczema because this could cause even further problems for them later on. That said, here are some of the common eczema triggers;
- Irritants
One of the triggers of eczema is irritants. Irritants are products that come in contact with the skin and cause it to become red. If there is someone with sensitive skin, this will be a major trigger for them because of the fact that they would react more severely to irritants than sometimes one can even imagine. Products containing fragrances may also be triggers for some people. Examples of irritants include soaps and shampoos, fabric softeners for clothes and bedding, detergents and dishwashing liquids, household cleaners, cosmetics, including lipstick and perfumes.
- Diet
Various people have different reactions to certain types of foods. Some may develop a rash on the face, hands, and feet, while others may develop a dryness around their eyes or mouth that might result from consuming specific foods or drinks.
If you have eczema, there are certain foods that you need to avoid eating, such as wheat, eggs, milk, peanut, nuts, shellfish, and chocolate. Some of these foods may cause serious flare-ups. It is therefore important to identify the foods that cause the flare-ups and avoid them.
- Emotional stress
According to recent studies, emotional stress may also bring about an eczema flare-up. It was discovered that when there is emotional stress in patients, this will affect their immune system, making them more susceptible to infections, leading to more outbreaks on their skin. The study showed that moods greatly change the body’s ability to fight off infections.
- Standing in the sun
Excessive heat can bring about more shock on your skin which you would not want at all. The reason why one should avoid standing in the sun or staying out too long is that the ultraviolet light will only work to irritate your skin even more. However, note that extremes of both cold and hot weather conditions are known to be triggers for eczema as well.
If you happen to get flare-ups during the hot weather, ensure that you are taking in enough fluids to keep your body cool. Fluids will help soothe the skin when it is hot. But, if you are also experiencing dryness during the winter months, try using a humidifier in your house, which will add moisture into the air and keep it more balanced for your skin.
- Hormonal changes
Our bodies go through many changes during the course of our lives. While these hormonal changes are not directly linked to eczema flares, hormones play a role in some of the underlying causes. For example, women who have their periods tend to experience dryer skin due to their monthly cycle where there is fluctuation in estrogen levels.
Additionally, through pregnancy, hormones act as triggers. If you are expecting, know that it’s normal for both your skin and body to go through some changes that may prove challenging at times.
- Sweat
After exercising or being exposed to excessively hot temperatures, our skin becomes moist with sweat. The sweat could easily trigger eczema. To avoid this, avoid wearing tight clothing that will trap heat and stay hydrated.
- Illness
When we fall ill, our immune system is weakened, which could also lead to scaly and itchy skin. This can, in turn, result in a flare-up.
In Summary
Various drugs can be used in treating eczema, such as topical corticosteroids, emollients, antibiotics, antifungal creams, phototherapy, and oral medicines. It is advisable to go for a medical checkup and get the detailed information regarding your health condition. Combining traditional medicine with modern science can help you achieve the best results.
Get in touch with your doctor and discuss your eczema problem. It is important to know the root cause of the problem before trying any medication, or else there will not be any effects or benefits from them. It would be wise to visit a dermatologist who can help identify what exactly you are suffering from and how best it could be treated.
