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Eczema

Do Showers Trigger Your Eczema? 5 Tips to Reduce Flares

Try to limit bathing to 15 minutes or less, and moisturize your skin while it’s still damp.

Lauren Smith, MAMaria Robinson, MD, MBA
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Maria Robinson, MD, MBA
Updated on May 13, 2025
Featuring Nkem Ugonabo, MD, MPHReviewed by Maria Robinson, MD, MBA | May 13, 2025

Long, hot showers may make your eczema worse. Many common shower habits can irritate or dry out the skin, which can trigger eczema symptoms. In this video, learn tips that may help manage eczema during and after showers, according to Nkem Ugonabo, MD, Dermatologist in New York City.

References

Herrero-Fernandez, M., et al. (2022). Impact of water exposure and temperature changes on skin barrier function. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 

National Eczema Association. (n.d.). Eczema and bathing.

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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