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Eczema

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, can affect people of all ages — but the symptoms can also be managed to increase your quality of life.

What Is Eczema? A Dermatologist Explains
What Is Eczema? A Dermatologist Explains2:31
6 Symptoms of Eczema: How to Recognize This Itchy Rash
6 Symptoms of Eczema: How to Recognize This Itchy Rash1:55
Avoid These 7 Eczema Triggers to Minimize Flares
Avoid These 7 Eczema Triggers to Minimize Flares2:10
5 Eczema Mistakes That May Trigger Your Flares
5 Eczema Mistakes That May Trigger Your Flares2:12

5 Eczema Mistakes That May Trigger Your Flares

In order to keep your eczema at bay, avoid taking long, hot showers or using harsh exfoliants on your skin.

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP profile image

Reviewed by Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Updated on April 5, 2025

If you have eczema, a chronic skin condition characterized by a rash with dry, itchy skin, it may take some trial and error to find a treatment that works well for you. You might even need to change the type of clothes you wear, as well as how you do your laundry.

“It’s going to take time to find the exact skincare regimen that’s going to be best for you,” explains Nkem Ugonabo, MD, Dermatologist in New York City. “But once we find it, it’ll be worth it.”

What are mistakes that may trigger eczema flares?

As you work toward taming your eczema, here are 5 mistakes to avoid that can make your flares worse:

1. Mistake: Using soaps and detergents with fragrances

Look for “fragrance-free” on any product that will touch your skin. Fragrances can be a trigger for your eczema. 

2. Mistake: Taking long, hot showers

In general, the longer you’re in the shower and the hotter the water, the more oil you may lose from your skin. Instead, take shorter showers with lukewarm water, and moisturize your skin immediately afterward.

3. Mistake: Using lotion instead of a thick cream or ointment

Lotions may be appropriate if your eczema is mild, but thicker creams or ointments may help you retain more moisture in your skin than a lotion. If you’re regularly moisturizing with lotion but still struggling with symptoms, you may benefit from switching to a thicker cream or ointment.

4. Mistake: Using harsh scrubbers and exfoliants to wash the body

These may actually irritate your eczema and dry out your skin.

5. Mistake: Scratching your rashes

While it’s tempting to scratch, it may only make your rashes feel itchier. Scratching could also cause your skin to bleed or get infected. Instead, moisturize your rashes and look for distractions.

What should you do if you’re struggling to manage your eczema?

If you see a dermatologist, a doctor that specializes in treating the skin, they can talk with you about which habits to avoid when it comes to your eczema. They can also prescribe you medications if needed.

“If we can work out your triggers, we can help manage the flares and of course reduce the number of flares that you get,” says Dr. Ugonabo. 

References

Lee, J. H., et al. (2016). A comprehensive review of the treatment of atopic eczema. Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research. 

Olabi, B., et al. (2021). Evidence-based management of eczema: five things that should be done more and five things that should be dropped. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

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