Eczema, Identifying Causes And Eczema Triggers!

Eczema Triggers, Identifying Causes, Triggers, And Prevention!

triggers

Eczema Identify Causes and Triggers:

1. What is Eczema?

Eczema is a term for several different types of skin swelling. Eczema is also called dermatitis. Most types cause dry, itchy skin and rashes on the face, inside the elbows and behind the knees, and on the hands and feet. Scratching the skin can cause it to turn red, and to swell and itch even more. triggers

Eczema is not contagious. The cause is not known. It is likely caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Eczema may get better or worse over time, but it is often a long-lasting disease. People who have it may also develop hay fever and asthma.

The Most Common Type of Eczema is,

Atopic Dermatitis. It is most common in babies and children but adults can have it too. As children who have atopic dermatitis grow older, this problem may get better or go away. But sometimes the skin may stay dry and get irritated easily.

Treatments may include medicines, skin creams, light therapy, and good skincare. You can prevent some types of eczema by avoiding

Things that irritate your skin, such as certain soaps, fabrics, and lotions.
Stress.
Things you are allergic to, such as food, pollen, and animals.

2. Causes of Eczema:

We don’t know what exactly causes eczema. However, for most types of eczema, researchers believe a combination of genes and a trigger are involved.

People with eczema tend to have an over-reactive immune system that when triggered by a substance outside or inside the body, responds by producing inflammation. It is this inflammation that causes the red, itchy, and painful skin symptoms common to most types of eczema.

Research Also Shows,

That some people with eczema have a mutation of the gene responsible for creating filaggrin.
Filaggrin is a protein that helps our bodies maintain a healthy protective barrier on the very top layer of the skin.
Without enough filaggrin to build a strong skin barrier, moisture can escape and bacteria, viruses and more can enter.
This is why many people with eczema have very dry and infection-prone skin.

Here’re Some Probable Causes For Eczema:

I. Genetics:

Genetics is believed to be one of the eczema causes.
Meaning eczema can be carried by the genes.
The exact process of this is still not determined but specialists say that if you have a family history of eczema.
You will likely get the disease also.
Acquiring eczema through genes is reasonable enough.

II. Harmful Chemicals:

Harmful chemicals can irritate and damage the skin and can also lead to eczema.
Cleaning products, soaps or jewelry can cause the skin to react.

III. General Allergic Oversensitivity:

Allergens can cause an allergic reaction in people who have sensitive skin.
These allergens can cause eczema in people who are very sensitive to allergens found in the air.
Some of the eczema causes listed above are only probable verdicts.

Studies are still on-going in order to point out the real causes of the disease. Since they can’t pinpoint the main cause yet they haven’t found a way to cure the disease, but they have found preventions for the disease.

3. Signs And Symptoms:

There are many signs that may indicate Eczema:

Dry skin.
Itching, which may be severe, especially at night.
Red to brownish-gray patches, especially on the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, inside the bend of the elbows and knees, and in infants, the face and scalp.
Small, raised bumps, which may leak fluid and crust over when scratched
Thickened, cracked, scaly skin.
Raw, sensitive, swollen skin from scratching.

4. Types of Eczema:

1. Atopic Eczema:

Atopic eczema is the most common form of the condition and is suffered by both adults and children alike. It is characterized by extreme itchiness of the skin, which is caused by the immune system overreacting to allergens in the environment.

In the most severe cases of atopic eczema, sufferers will feel overwhelmed by an urge to scratch at the itchy skin, and this will cause the skin to tear. Once the skin has become broken like this, the infection can set in.

The main medical treatments for atopic eczema include creams that help to moisturize the skin and steroids which help reduce the inflammation.

2. Adult Seborrhoeic Eczema:

This form of eczema usually affects adults between the ages of (20 and 45) and is thought to be due to an overgrowth of yeast. It causes a flaky dryness to the scalp, which can also spread to the face and also the chest, causing the skin to become red and inflamed.

3. Child Seborrhoeic Eczema:

This version of seborrhoeic eczema is also referred to as “cradle cap”, and starts on the scalp. It does not include any itching or inflammation and usually clears up without treatment.

4. Varicose Eczema:

Varicose eczema tends to only affect adults and is caused by bad circulation in the legs. This type of eczema only occurs on the legs, usually around the ankles.

5. Irritant Contact Dermatitis:

This type of skin inflammation is caused by the skin coming into contact with some form of irritant. For example, chemicals such as detergents can cause the skin to react, causing the inflammation.

6. Allergic Contact Dermatitis:

This type of skin inflammation is similar to the one mentioned above but is caused by the person being allergic to certain substances. For example, some people are allergic to some types of metal and will develop inflammation where their skin has been in contact with belt buckles, jewelry or metal buttons.

7. Nummular Dermatitis Or Eczema:

Chronic, coin-shaped red spots, crusting, scaling. This occurs after aged 35, associated with emotional stress, and winter dry skin.

5. Eczema Triggers:

Working to keep your symptoms under control is important for staying healthy and comfortable while living with eczema. When trying to identify potential triggers, keep in mind that an eczema flare can appear sometimes after exposure. This lag time can make some triggers challenging to detect.

It’s important to remember that eczema affects everyone differently and that one person’s triggers may not be the same as another’s. You might experience eczema symptoms at certain times of the year or on different areas of your body.

Here are some everyday things that can trigger an eczema flare or make it worse:

1. Dry Skin:

When your skin gets too dry, it can easily become brittle, scaly, rough, or tight, which can lead to an eczema flare-up.

2. Irritants:

There are everyday products and even natural substances that can cause your skin to burn and itch, or become dry and red.

These could be products that you use on your body or in your home – hand and dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, bubble bath, and body wash, or surface cleaners and disinfectants. Even some natural liquids, like the juice from fresh fruit, vegetables, or meats, can irritate your skin when you touch them.

Some Common Eczema Irritants Include:

Metals, in particular, nickel.
Cigarette smoke.
Soaps and household cleaners.
Fragrances.
Certain fabrics such as wool and polyester.
Antibacterial ointments like neomycin and bacitracin.
Formaldehyde, which is found in household disinfectants, some vaccines, glues, and adhesives.
Isothiazolinones an antibacterial that is found in personal care products like baby wipes.
Cocamidopropyl betaine used to thicken shampoos and lotions.
Paraphenylenediamine, which is used in leather dyes and temporary tattoos, among others.

3. Stress:

Emotional stress considered an eczema trigger, but we are not exactly sure why. Some people’s eczema symptoms get worse when they’re feeling “stressed.” Others may become stressed, just knowing they have eczema, and this can make their skin flare-up.

Stress actually lowers your body’s ability to fight infection and reduces its ability to heal.

Excessive stress can aggravate eczema, worsening your outbreak.
So do what you can to avoid stressful situations, and remember to breathe deeply and try to relax when faced with such situations.

4. Climate And Sweating:

Many people with eczema become itchy or experience a “prickly heat” sensation when they sweat or get too hot.
This can happen when you exercise or wear too many clothes to bed.
During the cold winter months, your skin may also get too dry leading to irritation and an eczema flare-up.
Your eczema also may flare when the air is too dry or too humid.
Or if you take long, hot showers or baths.

5. Hormones:

Hormones are substances produced by the body that can cause a wide variety of symptoms. When the levels of certain hormones in your body increase or decrease, some people with eczema (especially women) may experience flare-ups.

6. Allergens:

There are everyday materials in the environment that can cause you to have an allergic reaction and trigger an eczema flare-up. Some of the most common are:

Seasonal pollen.
Dust mites.
Pet dander from cats and dogs.
Mold and dandruff.

Allergens that cause symptoms to stick around a lot longer, or to come back, are much harder to pinpoint. It’s important to know the allergens that could cause a flare-up so that you can help keep your symptoms under control.

7. Infection:

Your eczema can become infected with bacteria or viruses that live in the environment. Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) is one of the most common types. The molluscum virus, herpes virus (fever blisters and cold sores), and certain kinds of fungus (ringworm or athlete’s foot) are other common triggers for infection. It’s important to know the symptoms of these different infections and what causes them so that your eczema does not get worse.

Pollen.
Pet Dander.
Mold.
Dust Mites.
Cigarette smoke (including second-hand smoke)

Other:

Insect Bites.
An excess of sebum (oil) on the skin.
Overgrowth of naturally occurring yeast on the skin.

6. Eczema And Allergies:

Eczema occurs more often in people with families histories of hay fever, allergies, asthma. In other cases, eczema may be situational. To avoid further irritation of the skin:

Wear natural fabrics.
Nonirritating fibers.
Avoid irritating substances.
Excess chemicals.
And scented fabric softeners.
Look for hypoallergenic, organic, natural fabric detergents.
And softeners, soaps, shampoos, lotions, and anything else in contact with the skin.

The Causes of Eczema,

are hard to determine because it is multifaceted, meaning that it is the visible symptom of deeper problems such as food allergies, leaky gut syndrome, or other conditions.

Determining food allergies and removing allergens from the diet is extremely important.
as well as changing the diet to prevent flare-ups.
Trying alternative treatments and therapies is one way to remain proactive without subjecting the body continually to steroid (hydrocortisone) creams to relieve the itching and antihistamine drugs.

7. Eliminating Food Triggers:

In determining what foods can go safely to your diet and what are not, you may test them one by one. However, to make the task less meticulous, you can start with the foods that are commonly known as triggers of eczema.

Among them are seafood, poultry products, dairy products, soy products, wheat products, nuts, citrus fruits, chocolate, tomatoes, and gluten.

To help you start off with your elimination process:

Start with these foods and find out which of them are your triggers.
Once you take note of them.
Avoid them to help you avoid breakouts and flare-ups in the future.

8. Determining Foods and Other Things that Can Cause Flare-ups:

If you are already having some symptoms of eczema, you have to also be careful about what you eat. Food triggers are not just the culprits of this skin disease. There are also certain foods that may cause your symptoms to worsen.

Aside from these,

Alcohol, dust, grasses, certain types of clothing fibers.
Cigarette smoke and pets can also cause your symptoms to worsen.
So you may want to avoid them as much as possible.
Like identifying the triggers.
You may also do a trial and error in identifying the foods and things that can worsen your skin condition.

Keep in mind too that one eczema sufferer may differ from the other in terms of their triggers, so make sure you are taking down notes on what are your personal triggers and you are making your own eczema diet plan.

9. Prevention:

Eczema cannot be prevented, but these tips can help ease the outbreaks of eczema that occur as well as the itching and inflammation of the condition when it is present. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe additional types of oral medications used for short-term periods to subside eczema. Treatment can change the life of an eczema sufferer dramatically. Read More about How to Prevent Eczema?

10. Nutritional Therapy:

Taking a multivitamin that shows good absorption into the body will be helpful for relieving symptoms. Take vitamins with meals. In addition, the following may be helpful.

Zinc.
E Vitamin – Reduces susceptibility to itching and dryness, is a powerful antioxidant giving protection to skin damage.
A Vitamin – Overdosing can cause skin itching for pregnant women and those with liver problems. Malformations may occur for unborn children.
B Complex Vitamin; B6, especially B12. These vitamins help produce new skin cells and tissue and support the nervous system, which is important for immunity and proper functioning health. Lowered vitamin B levels result in itchy and flaky skin, and may cause psoriasis.
C Vitamin – is a powerful antioxidant giving protection to skin damage.
D Vitamin – low levels may trigger itchiness, weight loss, tiredness.
Magnesium.
Essential fatty acids – occasionally with GLA.

The Bottom Line:

As you can see, eczema is quite a general term that includes many different variations of the same skin condition. To a professional, the diagnosis will be easy to make but with a basic overview, you should be able to get a good idea of what type you are suffering from. Because there are differences in causes and symptoms, there will be differences in the treatment, which is why it is important to know what the diagnosis is.

If you find this article useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family, as you might help someone in need. Thanks.

Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment of any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”