Avoid These 7 Eczema Triggers to Minimize Flares

It’s important to know what triggers flare-ups of your eczema, a chronic skin condition that’s characterized by rashes and dry, itchy skin.

This way, you’ll know what to avoid so that you can minimize your symptoms of eczema, and improve your quality of life, according to Nkem Ugonabo, MD, Dermatologist in New York City.

What are some common triggers of eczema?

Here are some of the triggers for eczema flares that you should try to avoid:

Dry skin

When your skin is dry, it doesn’t maintain as strong of a barrier against irritants that may trigger your eczema. Try to keep your skin moisturized, ideally with a thick cream or ointment.

Skin care and household products with fragrance, dyes, or other irritants

These can dry out or irritate your skin and cause flare-ups. Instead, search for skincare products and laundry detergents that are fragrance-free.

Harsh exfoliants and other abrasive products

Eczema makes your skin more sensitive in general, so avoid any harsh skin care products that may cause flares.

Some clothing, including tags and rough fabric

Certain fabrics like wool and polyester as well as tags sewn into clothing can irritate itchy skin. Try wearing softer, looser clothing and cutting out tags if they’re bothering you. Some brands also sell tagless clothing for improved comfort.

Stress

Stress may trigger inflammation and eczema flares. Trying out stress management techniques may be helpful to keep your eczema in check, as well as to improve your overall health.

Extreme temperatures

Spending time in hot, humid temperatures may dry out your skin, as can very cold environments, too. Make sure to take extra care of your skin if you are going to be in extreme temperatures.

Common allergens such as dander and dust mites

People who have eczema are sometimes more sensitive to environmental allergies. It may help to incorporate allergen-reducing habits into your routine, such as cleaning your home regularly, laundering your bedding weekly, and showering after coming inside on a day with a high pollen count.

What should you do if you’re having trouble identifying your eczema triggers?

If you’re having trouble figuring out what’s triggering your eczema flares, Dr. Ugonabo suggests keeping a log to help identify them. For example, note whether you tried a new soap or perfume, or whether your skin was exposed to extreme heat. 

“That might be something that was a trigger and it may be something you want to avoid in the future,” she says.