The Most Common Causes Of Eczema Flare-ups

While we don’t know the cause of eczema, research indicates it is caused by a combination of genetic factors and triggers. People with eczema may have an overactive immune system. While anyone’s skin can become irritated by factors like cold weather or sweat, those with eczema are affected more dramatically.  

There is no cure for eczema, but there are many treatment options to relieve eczema symptoms. One of the most effective means of managing eczema is identifying your triggers. Below, we will go over the most common triggers and how to cope with them.

Your Diet

Certain foods can trigger eczema flare-ups for many sufferers. Everyone’s body is different, so there is no single type of food to avoid if you have eczema.

However, many people seem to be triggered by sugar, refined carbohydrates, gluten, red meat, and dairy products. Also, anything you are allergic to can cause eczema flare-ups – even if you only ingest it in small amounts.

The best means to handle dietary flare-ups is to simply avoid the foods in question. To identify potential culprits in your diet, try keeping a food diary and notice if flare-ups happen after you eat a certain food.

The Weather

Cold air in particular is harsh on dry skin, and air tends to get much dryer in the winter. For many, the cooler months can cause eczema flare-ups, but it isn’t just lower temperatures that can irritate your skin. Warm weather can cause excessive sweat, leading to flare-ups, and even sudden fluctuations in weather can affect your skin if it’s very sensitive.

You cannot entirely control the weather, but you can be aware of any seasonal changes that affect your skin and give your skin extra care as a precaution. For example, if you know rainy conditions trigger flare-ups, be more vigilant about moisturizing during rainier months.

Delfina works by penetrating the outer layers of skin and stimulating hydration. You can read more about how Delfina works here and read patient success stories here.

Irritants

Almost anyone with sensitive skin will react poorly to things like cigarette soap, lotions with fragrances, and certain fabrics. If you have eczema, you are even more likely to be adversely affected by common irritants.

Anything – from laundry detergent to lotion – can be an irritant. Everyone’s skin is different. Much like identifying your dietary triggers, it can help to pay attention to the products you use on a daily basis to see if you notice a pattern.

When it comes to irritants, the best defense is a good offense. If you suspect a product you use causes eczema flare-ups, cease use immediately.

Exercise

Excessive sweat after a heavy workout can cause anyone to develop a skin rash. If you have eczema, you’re even more at risk for an adverse reaction to intense physical activity.

If you notice flare-ups after a workout, you do not need to halt your gym routine altogether. However, take steps to be gentle on your skin during and after exercise.

Wear light-fitting clothing and moisturize your skin after workouts. Delfina Dry Skin Oil is again your best option. In fact, many people whose eczema was specifically triggered by their workout routine found relief with Delfina.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can exacerbate many different skin conditions including eczema. Any sort of emotional stress can impact your immune system and, in turn, your body’s ability to suppress flare-ups.

You cannot entirely avoid stress or anxiety, but you can take steps to reduce your stress overall. Activities like yoga and meditation can help you manage stressful situations. A regular exercise routine helps with emotional regulation overall.

Also, take stock of what is causing stress in your life. If there are any situations or activities that cause anxiety, see if you can reduce or avoid them. Lifestyle changes can sometimes be the best means to lower your overall stress levels.

How to identify your triggers

Identifying your triggers is the first step in managing your eczema. To identify your triggers, keep track of when you experience a flare-up. Make a note of what you were doing or exposed to in the 24 hours before the flare-up began. This will help you to identify any patterns or common factors that may be triggering your flares. Once you’ve identified your triggers, you can take steps to avoid them.

Some common triggers include:

1. Dry skin – When your skin is dry, it’s more likely to itch and flare.
2. Irritants – Certain substances can irritate your skin and trigger a flare. These include soap, detergent, pollen, dust mites, animal dander and certain fabrics.
3. Allergens – Substances that cause an allergic reaction (such as certain foods or medications) can also trigger eczema flares.
4. Stress – Stress can worsen eczema symptoms.
5. Temperature changes – Fluctuations in temperature (either hot or cold) can trigger eczema flares.
6. Sweating – Sweating can irritate the skin and cause a flare.
7. Dry skin – This can trigger eczema flare-ups. If your skin is dry, it’s more likely to itch and itch can trigger a flare.
8. Irritants – Certain substances can irritate your skin and trigger a flare. These include soap, detergent, pollen, dust mites, animal dander and certain fabrics.

Managing your triggers

Identifying your eczema triggers is the first step in managing your condition. Once you know what your triggers are, you can take steps to avoid them or manage them more effectively.

Here are some tips for managing eczema triggers:

• Keep your skin hydrated: Moisturizing regularly can help to prevent dry skin, which can trigger a flare-up. Be sure to use a moisturizer that’s suitable for your skin type and apply it after bathing or showering.
• Avoid irritants: If you know that certain substances trigger your eczema, try to avoid them as much as possible. When you can’t avoid them, take steps to protect your skin, such as wearing gloves or using barrier creams.
• Identify and avoid allergens: If you suspect that an allergy is triggering your eczema, see an allergist for testing. Once you know what you’re allergic to, take steps to avoid exposure to those allergens.
• Manage stress: Stress can worsen symptoms of many chronic conditions, including eczema. Try relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation to help manage stress levels.
• Avoid extreme temperatures: Extreme cold or heat can trigger a flare-up. Dress in layers to protect your skin from the cold and use air conditioning or fans to stay cool in hot weather.
• Choose non-irritating fabrics: Certain fabrics, such as wool or synthetic materials, can irritate the skin and trigger a flare-up. Choose natural fibers such as cotton instead.
• Try damp wraps: If moisturizing and other self-care measures aren’t enough to control your eczema, your doctor may recommend wet dressings or wraps. This treatment involves applying a medicated cream or ointment to the affected area and then wrapping it with a damp cloth.
• Use Delfina Dry Skin Oil. This revolutionary product has been extremely effective in not only treating and eliminating eczema, but prevent it from happening in the first place. 

 It’s important to note that avoidance may not always be possible. Many are unavoidable — including dry skin and weather changes — while others like allergens or irritants can be managed by limiting exposure. If you have trouble identifying your triggers, ask your doctor for help or try keeping a diary that documents when flare-ups occur and what you were doing at the time. 

You may even discover that there are multiple factors that contribute to your condition. For example, dry skin may lead to an allergic reaction which then causes more dryness which then leads to further allergy flare-ups. In such cases it’s important to manage all the contributing factors in order to prevent eczema from recurring.

Many people who have eczema have a family history of allergies, asthma, or hay fever. Itching and redness are the most obvious symptoms of eczema. The most common places where these symptoms occur are on the inside of your elbows, behind your knees, and on your scalp. Of course, these areas aren’t always affected by this condition. If you do have eczema there, these patches usually appear dry and cracked because they don't produce enough natural oils (sebum) to keep them moisturized.

As mentioned, the best way to prevent flare-ups is to avoid the things that irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. Here are some tips:

• Wear loose-fitting clothes made from soft fabrics like cotton in order to protect your skin from friction and other irritants (like wool). Avoid over-drying your skin with hot water and harsh soaps as well; use mild cleansers instead.
• Use humidifiers and vaporizers with cool mist instead of warm mist if you live in a dry climate or are sensitive to warm air blowing on your skin—the heat may make itching worse.
• Keep the humidity level in your house between 40% – 60%. This will help keep moisture in the air without making it too humid. Open windows slightly when it's cold outside if you're able to do so safely—this can help increase indoor humidity levels while still allowing fresh air into your home as well as fresh air for you! You may also want to consider using a dehumidifier during times when humidity is high (although this isn't recommended for everyone). If you do use a dehumidifier, be sure that it's approved by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). You can find out more information about safe use over at the AAFA website here . 

Check labels before purchasing clothing and other products - many contain wool dyes that trigger allergic reactions such as itching and rashes in those with allergies like atopic dermatitis.

Eczema Flare-Ups: The Bottom Line

The precise cause of eczema is unclear, but many different factors can trigger flare-ups. Everyone’s body is different, so there is no single factor that universally causes eczema for all patients. Being vigilant about your lifestyle, diet, and stress levels can help you identify your personal triggers.

The most effective treatment for eczema relief is Delfina Dry Skin Oil, which will not only eliminate your current eczema, but will also serve as a preventive measure from keeping it from occurring at all.