Eczema Causes And Triggers

When Mrs Rohini Sengupta, a 35 year old resident of Siliguri, started noticing flaky skin on her hands, she got worried. She immediately consulted a dermatologist in Siliguri, who told her that she was suffering from hand eczema. He advised her not to touch strong detergents and also told her to avoid water-based hand moisturisers. Instead he asked her to use petroleum jelly. Like Mrs. Sengupta wasted no time and visited a skin specialist in Siliguri immediately she noticed the extreme dryness, you should also waste not time if you notice any sudden change in your skin condition. 

Over here we discuss about Eczema – one of the common skin conditions affecting people of all ages. 

Eczema Causes and Triggers

Eczema or dermatitis, simply put, is a skin condition that makes the skin scaly, itchy, and inflamed. Although its exact cause is unknown, it is commonly found in those having a history of asthma and allergies. Eczema can be of different types such as venous eczema, seborrhoeic eczema, discoid eczema, irritant contact eczema, allergic contact eczema and atopic eczema.

Some Common Causes of Eczema

Some of the common causes of eczema are:

• Pet hair and other allergens such as pollen
• Hard water
• Nuts and dairy products
• Nutritional deficiency
• Side effects of OTC drugs
• Stress
• Metals in some jewellery
• Environmental changes like higher temperatures resulting in perspiration and humidity
• Skin irritants like scented soap, washing detergent and other household chemicals

Common Eczema Triggers

• Food: There are certain foods that can worsen eczema, such as dairy products, red meats, gluten, refined carbohydrates and sugar. People may have a flare-up after consuming ingredients and foods that are inflammatory. Similarly, consuming foods that people are allergic to can make their eczema symptoms worse or trigger some form of inflammatory response.

• Cold Air: Colder temperatures may cause eczema flare-ups in some. Dry air and cold weather often go hand in hand. Excess of dry air may zap the skin of its natural moisture. Often dryness causes itching that results in scratching and even inflammation.

• Hot Weather: Not only cold weather, but also hot weather can irritate your skin. Excessive perspiration can also make skin itchy.

• Exposure to Water: Exposure to water for a prolonged period can also trigger eczema. Water can make the skin dry, which can result in persistent itching.

Apart from these, the list of common eczema triggers also includes anxiety and stress, laundry detergents, scented products, certain fabrics, airborne allergens, heavy workout, certain skin infections and hormonal changes. Managing eczema does not only include the use of medications and creams suggested by a dermatologist or skin specialist, but also an awareness of the potential triggers. So, know the triggers that may be behind your eczema flare-ups.