Eczema is a skin condition that tends to make the skin red, itchy, and scaly. Eczema needs to be managed as it might flare up due to some triggers. These triggers vary from person to person and here are a few of them that make your eczema worse:
Extreme heat or cold temperatures
Extreme or dry heat contributes to water loss and dryness of the skin. As a result, sweat can also act as an irritant that affects the micro-flora of the skin.
Whereas the cold temperature decreases relative humidity in the air which worsens the dry skin and thus the eczema.
Air conditioning
Air conditioning creates a dry environment which results in trans-epidermal water loss in the skin and a high range of dust particles can be present if the A/C filters are not changed regularly.
A humidifier is recommended bedside if you are sleeping in the direct path of the air conditioner. This helps to counteract moisture from being sucked from the skin and thus prevents dryness.
Hot showers
Hot water strips off the skin of its natural moisturizing oils. Thus, it is recommended to have short lukewarm showers and apply moisturizer within a few minutes of showering in lukewarm water it locks the moisture in the skin and helps relieve eczema.
Chemical sunscreens
SPF is important for protection from UV rays, but chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that may increase eczema thus instead physical sunscreens should be used which don’t tend to exacerbate eczema.
Stress
Stress of any kind tends to increase cortisol, the stress hormones which in turn tends to increase inflammation in the body. Also, another stress hormone, glucocorticoids tend to disrupt the skin barrier function, and in return stress causes weakened skin barrier function.
For more information, you can visit Healthline and Mayoclinic.
