Eczema: What Causes It, and How Can I Improve It?

If you deal with dry, itchy, red skin regularly, you may have an inflammatory skin condition known as eczema. 

Eczema is a term that actually refers to a wide range of skin conditions that trigger inflammation, cause varying degrees of itching and redness, and can affect different areas of your body. This condition is common. About 10% of the United States population has some form of it, and it affects people of all ages, sexes, and ethnicities. 

Unfortunately, eczema doesn’t have a cure, however, symptoms can go dormant for quite some time.

Eczema doesn’t affect everyone the same way. What triggers an eczema symptom flare-up for you may not for someone else, and what calms your eczema symptoms may not work for others. 

What might be behind your eczema?

Currently, there’s no known single cause of eczema. Experts tend to think it’s a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with some things putting you at higher risk for developing the condition, including an overactive immune system. 

If you have an overactive immune system, you’re much more likely to develop multiple atopic conditions, such as allergies, asthma, and eczema. An overactive immune system identifies harmless substances as dangerous and tries to defend you unnecessarily. 

What your body deems harmful and dangerous may not be the same for someone else; however, these are some commonly seen allergens and triggers for eczema/eczema like flare-ups:

• Chemicals found in cleansers and detergents  
• Products with added scents and perfumes 
• Environmental allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander
• Scratchy fabrics like wool
• Food allergies
• Temperature changes

You may also notice that heightened stress levels worsen your eczema. While stress isn’t a direct cause, it can exacerbate the condition.

How to effectively manage eczema flares

Things that can flare eczema include food, environmental allergens, excessive handwashing. However it is not a guarantee to easily identify a trigger.

Though the goal is to prevent eczema flare-ups, it’s not always possible to completely avoid your triggers. Avoiding triggers is not always reasonable, as something like cold weather (drier air) can cause a problem for people with eczema. If you do find yourself with angry, red, and itchy skin, try out these remedies to reduce symptoms: 

• Apply gentle and unscented moisturizer to your skin often, especially after washing
• Use topical steroids such as a corticosteroid cream
• Wear soft, cotton fabrics and avoid tight-fitting clothes and rough fabrics
• Avoid detergents, soaps, and cleansers with harsh scents and chemicals

Dr. Fowler and our team can help test for potential triggers for eczema as well as discuss eczema treatment plans.

Get expert-level care for your eczema

If your eczema is always leaving your skin dry and itchy, professional care with our Allergy and Asthma of Prosper and Celina team is available. To get started, schedule an appointment with us by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.