During an eczema breakout, the most frustrating part is not knowing the reason the breakout occurred. While some triggers are commonly known, others are lesser known. Start a search today to learn everything you need to know about eczema triggers.
You probably know you need to avoid certain triggers that cause your eczema to worsen, but there are four things that can lead to an eczema outbreak that you might not expect. Avoiding these triggers can help keep your skin clearer.
1. Extreme Heat or Cold
When the temperature changes drastically, it can cause your eczema to flare. This is due in part to the dryness it causes in your skin. For many eczema sufferers, winter is the hardest time to keep an outbreak under control. Prepare for it in advance by adding moisturizing products to your daily routine. Ointments and creams are preferable to lotions.
Consider adding a humidifier to your home to keep the air from becoming so dry. While this won’t completely eliminate eczema breakouts during the winter months, it may help reduce them and keep the ones that do occur under control.
2. Dish Washing Liquid
What are you using to hand wash your dishes? The ingredients in many commercial dishwashing liquids are harsh on the skin and can lead to dryness, which is one of the key reasons behind many eczema outbreaks. The harsh chemicals can also cause outbreaks of their own. When choosing a dishwashing liquid, choose one that will be gentle on your skin. Additional moisturizers like those contained in many dishwashing liquids can be helpful in some cases, but you might also consider looking for an all-natural dishwashing liquid that will be free from chemical additives that could irritate your skin.
3. Dust Mites
While you might already know that dust mites are a potential eczema trigger, you might not have taken all the steps necessary to remove them from your home. Carpeting, bedding, and stuffed animals can all contain high quantities of dust mites. By washing your bedding regularly, you can significantly reduce exposure to dust mites when you are sleeping. Just make sure that you’re using a detergent that won’t cause further symptoms. Using rugs over hardwood floors instead of installing carpeting can also help reduce dust mites in your home.
Stuffed animals are harder. As an adult, it’s easy to get rid of things that might be triggering eczema, but children often have a hard time letting go of the critters they love. Try reducing the number of stuffed animals in your home by allowing a child to choose their favorites. For the ones they choose to keep, make sure to wash them regularly. Plus, try to keep stuffed animals out of your child’s bedroom.
4. Clothing
Did you know that certain fabrics, particularly synthetic fabrics, can irritate your eczema? It might take time to discover which fabrics trigger your eczema, but once you know what causes it, you can avoid those fabrics to help prevent flare-ups. Wool is also a common eczema trigger and should be avoided in your clothing whenever possible. Ideally, you should choose comfortable, loose-fitting clothes to help reduce eczema flare-ups. In addition, make sure that you wash new clothes before wearing to wash out dyes and other potential irritants.
Avoiding an eczema flare-up can feel like it is impossible, but by avoiding common triggers, you can help ensure that you’re keeping your skin as healthy as possible. Your own responses will be your best gauge of what you can and can’t tolerate. When an outbreak occurs, try to determine the trigger so that you can avoid it next time. These unexpected triggers might just be a great starting place.