What Can Trigger Eczema Flare Ups

Eczema: How To Stop Flare

Eczema flare ups are stubborn. You have tried it all the steroid creams, all clear and natural shampoos and soaps, changing out my laundry detergent, even CLEANING THE WASHING MACHINE with special cleaning of the drum.

I am here to tell you HOW TO STOP THOSE ECZEMA FLARE UPS IN 5 SIMPLE STEPS!

BOTH my kids have eczema. So it was non-stop itching & scratching in our house. And it always returned. Did not take a long time for the bleeding to start! We tried the steroids, creams, changing the sheets and washing daily, bath times where twice a week and I was just about to start a bleach bath when I cleared my brain and started from the beginning..

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The Importance Of Sleep When You Have Eczema

Easier said than done, right? People living with eczema know how difficult it is to sleep when your skin is itchy and uncomfortable. If eczema is keeping you or your child awake at night, talk with your doctor about how to get a better handle on your symptoms. Taking an antihistamine before bed can help you become drowsy. Enjoying warm, relaxing baths or showers and lathering on the moisturizer before bed can induce sleepiness and stave off itch. It also helps to turn your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary by keeping the room dark, cool and clean, and limiting the use of electronics an hour or two before bedtime.

Learn more about how to get a good nights sleep even when your eczema is flaring.

What Is Eczema What Does It Look And Feel Like

Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, red, itchy and bumpy. Its one of many types of dermatitis. Eczema damages the skin barrier function . This loss of barrier function makes your skin more sensitive and more prone to infection and dryness.

Eczema doesnt harm your body. It doesnt mean that your skin is dirty or infected, and its not contagious. There are treatments that can help manage your symptoms.

In the word dermatitis, derm means skin and itis means inflammation. The word as a whole means inflammation of the skin. Eczema originates from the Greek word ekzein which means to boil over or break out.

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• What treatment is best for me?
• Should I use a steroid cream or ointment?
• What are the side effects from the steroid cream or ointment?
• Do I need to take any other medicines?
• What is the best way to prevent flare-ups from eczema and atopic dermatitis?
• Is there a certain type of soap I should use?
• My child has eczema. What kind of moisturizer is best for him/her?
• How can I keep my child from scratching the rash?
• I have eczema. Will my children have it?
• How should I care for the rash if I have a flare-up?

How To Help Your Child Prevent Eczema Flare

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions kids can get, affecting more than 9 million in the United States alone. The incessant dry, red, itchy skin shows up on various body parts from the scalp to the feet. Its not contagious, but its not curable either. It is, however, treatable.

at First Pediatric Care Center specializes in caring for the unique conditions that affect infants, toddlers, small children, and young adults including eczema. When youre at your wits end trying to find a way to comfort your child and help them cope with the constant presence of itchy eczema, Dr. Lubega can help.

In addition to medical treatment options, she offers these tips for how you can help your child live with eczema and prevent flare-ups whenever possible.

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Why Does Gardening Cause An Eczema Flare

Reviewing the list above of common eczema triggers, you may have noticed that gardening wasnt listed. So why does gardening sometimes cause a flare-up for some people?

All we have to do is look a little more closely at what is involved in gardening, and how the tools we use and the air around us may irritate the skin.

Common triggers for an eczema flare-up when gardening include the following:

How To Prevent Eczema Flares

You can take steps to help ward off eczema flare-ups or shorten them. Managing eczema flares means doing detective work to identify triggers and taking care of your skin. Often there is a lag time between exposure to a trigger and the itch developing.

Here are some tips to help keep the itch at bay:

• Keep an eczema diary. When you feel a flare coming on, think about any potential triggers you’ve been exposed to within the last several days and note them. Over time, you may see some patterns.
• Stay moisturized. Dry skin and eczema go hand-in-hand.
• Get familiar with common triggers. Develop the habit of reading cosmetics, cleansing agents, and household products ingredient labels.
• Think seasonally. When the air is dry, such as during the winter or at altitude, think ahead and add additional moisturizer to your routine.
• Follow your healthcare provider’s advice.

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Control Inflammation Under Your Skin

If your eczema is mild, your dermatologist may advise you to use hydrocortisone or topical ointment made with corticosteroids to help reduce symptoms.

If youre experiencing an infection from a flare-up, then you may also receive a prescription for antibiotics.

In moderate to severe cases, stronger prescription steroid ointments may be needed to prevent flares and calm inflammation under the skin.

Additional therapies for chronic eczema include:

• Immunomodulators medicines that suppress the activity of your immune system
• Biologics medicines made from substances that naturally occur
• UV light or phototherapy

Which Foods May Trigger Eczema

When you have a food allergy, your body reacts to a harmless treat as if its a dangerous germ and attacks. Symptoms like swelling are side effects of your bodys defenses.

Eczema doesnt seem to be an allergic condition, but reactions from food can make it worse in some kids. Itâs more likely in babies and young children.

Some foods are more likely to bring symptoms. The common offenders are:

• Milk
• Shellfish
• Soy

While trigger foods can make eczema worse, experts dont think theyâre really the original cause. Instead, it seems to result from leakiness in the outer layer of skin that lets in irritants, germs, and allergens.

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How To Stay Safe

The best way to stay safe with eczema during the pandemic is to follow public health guidance to lower the risk of catching COVID-19:

• Continue your eczema medication as prescribed.
• Take steps to avoid and manage flares during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Support your health by reviewing eczema care basics.
• Take steps to reduce stress, manage itching, and improve your sleep hygiene.
• Wash your hands regularly, avoid close contact with others, and socially distance where possible. You can rewash your hands with your usual emollient to protect the skin and use moisturizer after washing hands and when the skin feels dry, cracked, or sore.
• When washing your hands, wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol. Apply moisturizer to your hands once hand sanitizer is dry if it is causing our eczema to worsen.
• Wear a face mask in public settings and where social distancing is not possible. Once you are fully vaccinated, wearing a face mask is optional.
• Avoid crowded situations.
• Practice self-monitoring.
• Avoid contact with people who are unwell.
• If someone in your home becomes unwell, follow medical guidance and isolation advice to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in your home.

Resist The Urge To Scratch

Scratching can make eczema worse and eventually lead to dry, leathery and thickened skin. It may also leave you vulnerable to infection since its easier for bacteria to get into cracked skin, says Dr McClymont. Keep kids fingernails short and try putting mittens on their hands at night. A doctor might recommend antihistamines for a short time, as some types are sedating and can help your child sleep.

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What Is An Eczema Flare

Eczema is the medical term for certain skin conditions in people with dry, sensitive skin that tends to get very itchy and develop rashes. Eczema usually comes and goes. When it becomes active, it’s called a flare-up.

A flare often occurs in response to a trigger, which may be an allergy, irritant, emotional state, or environmental condition. The itching can be very intense, making it hard not to scratch, but scratching makes it worse. The itch-scratch cycle can lead to skin damage or infection and make you miserable.

Stress Anxiety And Depression

It may be surprising to hear that your mental health plays a significant role in eczema, so you have to take care of yourself on the inside, too.

While emotional stress or anxiety itself wont cause eczema, they can play a significant role in your symptoms and trigger flare-ups. Studies also show that people with eczema have higher rates of anxiety or depression. To effectively manage your eczema symptoms, its essential to share information about your mental and emotional health with your provider because these conditions are often related.

If you have allergies, eczema, or other skin symptoms, our team can help identify your triggers and control your flare-ups. Contact one of our locations in Ogden, Utah, to schedule a consultation today.

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Care For Your Skin In The Bath Or Shower

Bathe only with a mild unscented soap, such as Dove, Basis, or Olay. Use a small amount of soap. Keep the water temperature cool or warm, not hot. Soaking in the tub for a short time can be good for your skin. Doing so allows your skins outer layer to absorb water and become less dry. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Then use a soft towel to pat your skin dry without rubbing. Immediately after drying, apply a moisturizer to your skin. This helps seal in the moisture.

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The Importance Of Eczema Symptom Prevention

In addition to treating eczema, preventing flare-ups is crucial. Prevention tips from the Mayo Clinic include:

• Choose mild cleansers and creams without dyes or fragrances.
• Manage your stress and anxiety.
• Shower in warm not hot water.
• Use a moisturizer all over your skin twice daily, especially after showering.
• Wear gloves to wash dishes.
• Wear soft gloves at night to avoid scratching.
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home.

And, yes, identifying and avoiding your personal eczema trigger, or triggers, is an important part of your overall eczema treatment plan.

Here, discover which triggers may lead to an eczema flare-up, so you can better understand if one may be your personal trigger.

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When To See Your Doctor

Contact your doctor if eczema symptoms are serious enough to interfere with sleep and daily life or if they persist after home treatments. See your doctor right away about a skin infection, especially if you also have a fever. Red streaks, yellow scabs, and pus could all be signs of infection.

Show Sources

Mayo Clinic: Atopic dermatitis : âAlternative medicine,â âCauses,â âLifestyle and home remedies,â âRisk factors,â âTreatments and drugs.â

American Academy of Dermatology: âDifferent kinds of eczema,â âWhat is eczema?â

National Eczema Society: âTopical Steroids,â âWhat is Eczema?â

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: âWhat Is Atopic Dermatitis?â

American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: âAntihistamines,â âEczema.â

National Eczema Association: âItching for relief.â

British Journal of Dermatology: âThe effect of environmental tobacco smoke on eczema and allergic sensitization in children.â

FDA: âFDA approves new eczema drug Dupixent.â

Mayo Clinic: âAtopic dermatitis .â

The National Eczema Association: âEczema Causes and Triggers.â

Reasons Hand Eczema Flares Up

Hand eczema flare-ups are beyond annoying. It can cause redness, itching, cracks, blisters, and dryness to the point of peeling and flaking, but thats not all. During a bad flare-up of hand eczema, fingers can swell and hands can hurt. Without proper treatment, hand eczema can become chronic. A severe case could even make it hard to button your clothes or use a computer.

So, what causes flares? Here are five of the most common triggers and tips for avoiding them.

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A Lack Of Sleep Can Affect Eczema

A lack of sleep can affect eczema because it increases levels of inflammation in the body and affects how well the immune system copes. Poor sleep has also been linked to increased skin sensitivity and slower rates of wound repair.

Simple tips that may help improve sleep and therefore eczema symptoms:

• Establish a sleep routine, go to bed at the same time every night.
• Turn off screens an hour before bed and do something restful instead like reading or listening to music.

Common Triggers That Cause Eczema Symptom Flare

Eczema is a long-term skin condition that results in the development of redness, scaly and itchy rash patches, inflammation, and swelling along the skin. Other less common symptoms can include blisters, bumpy skin, and changes in skin color. Unfortunately, there is no cure for eczema at this time. There are, however, topical steroid creams, prescription antihistamines, and light therapy treatments that can help control the symptoms of eczema.

One of the best ways to prevent eczema flare-ups is to properly take care of the skin. This includes identifying and avoiding eczema triggers: specific substances or conditions that cause eczema symptoms to occur or worsen in intensity.

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Eczema In Hot Humid Weather

For some people with eczema, warm, sunny, and humid weather brings relief. Others find that the hot weather triggers prickly heat and a frenzy of scratching. To ease symptoms, try these tips:

Donât get too sweaty. Sweating dries out your skin, and the salt in sweat can sting and irritate it. So try to stay cool. Take it easy on hot days and stick to indoor activities. Use air conditioning or a fan if you need one.

Wear soft, breathable clothing. Keep your skin cool by staying away from nylon, wool, rough linen, or any fabric thatâs stiff or itchy. Generally, cotton is best.

Know how the sun affects you. Sunlight can be a salve for eczema. In fact, people with severe cases can benefit from ultraviolet ray treatments. But others find that sunlight is a trigger. If youâre one of them, shield yourself with clothes and a hat.

Prepare before you swim. Chlorine in pools or the salt in seawater can be irritating for some people with eczema. Apply a layer of lotion before you dive in to see if it helps.

Rinse off possible triggers. Take a quick, cool shower to soothe your skin and wash away sweat, chlorine, salt water, pollen, or other triggers. Gently pat yourself dry and apply lotion right away.

Watch the sprays and lotions. Sunscreens and bug sprays can have chemicals that trigger symptoms. Opt for sunscreens that physically block the ultraviolet rays with the minerals zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Test a sample on your arm before you slather it all over your body.

Know Your Childs Eczema Triggers

Regardless of the type of eczema your child has, there are certain things and environmental conditions that make it suddenly appear where it wasnt before or make a relatively calm patch suddenly worse. These are called flare-ups.

Things that trigger eczema flare-ups are not the same for everyone, but the most common are stressful situations, dry air, and sweat. Keep in mind that your childs triggers may change over the years, so be on the lookout for new challenges as they grow. Here are some triggers to watch for:

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What Are The Treatment Options For Eczema

Eczema may be effectively treated by caring for, protecting, and treating the skin through the following options:

• Apply moisturizer at least two times a day .
• Bath or shower with non-soap-based wash or oil.
• The best way to prevent eczema is to avoid triggers.
• Avoid soaps and washes that have bubbles or froth because they can harm and dry up the skin.
• Avoid known allergens and irritants including foods that cause allergies.

What About Babies With Eczema

It is easy for adults to change their diets. But it is a different story for breastfed babies with eczema.

You may be wondering what foods cause eczema in breastfed babies the truth is the mother’s diet could affect the baby.

Therefore, examine your diet if you notice an increase in your baby’s severity of eczema symptoms.

To be specific, tree nuts, cow’s milk, and peanuts are among foods that cause eczema in susceptible babies.

Also, baby formula products might contain eczema triggers. Therefore, you might want to switch from a milk-based formula to a hydrolyzed one. This type is less likely to cause eczema flare-ups.

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Advice For Eczema Patients Before Conception

Eczema treatments in pregnancy

Recommended minimum systemic drug-free interval before conception

• Methotrexatethree months

• PUVAno minimum time but stop before conception

*Avoid in breastfeeding mothers

Emollients remain an integral part of eczema management in all patients. Taking tepid baths, using emollients, and avoiding soap can minimise barrier disruption, which may otherwise increase transepidermal water loss and exacerbate eczema. Moderate to potent topical steroids combined with moisturisers remain the mainstay of treatment for mild to moderate eczema and, with the exception of very potent topical steroids, can continue to be used relatively safely throughout pregnancy. Bacterial infections are an important cause of exacerbations and should be treated promptly to avoid further deterioration. Staphylococcus aureus colonises more than 90% of eczema lesions, but active infection may be suggested by the presence of increased pain or swelling, impetigo-like crusting, or inflammatory papules.

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