You soak in the tub and slather on moisturizing cream, but keeping your skin hydrated and healthy is only part of your eczema treatment plan. Since environmental factors can also trigger symptoms such as itchy, red, irritated skin, it’s worth your time to pinpoint the things that may be making you itch and scratch. That way, you can stay as far away from them as possible. The National Jewish Medical and Research Center, a leading authority on allergies and immunology, offers the following tips for avoiding common eczema triggers:

• Airborne allergens. If you have asthma or hay fever, airborne allergens (such as pollen, dust mites, and animal dander) can trigger your respiratory problems, worsening your eczema symptoms. A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter can greatly reduce the airborne allergens in your home or office.
• Food allergens. For a small number of people, certain foods (especially eggs, peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, and shellfish) can trigger eczema flare-ups. Your doctor can diagnose food allergies based on a detailed medical history and skin or blood testing.
• Soaps. The chemicals in some soaps can dry out your skin. Try washing with a moisturizing soap that has a neutral pH, or a nonsoap cleanser.
• Laundry detergents and fabric softeners. The detergents and fabric softeners we use to clean our clothes can leave residues that irritate sensitive skin. In many cases, it helps simply to skip the fabric softener and switch to a brand of detergent that is free of fragrances and other additives. Running a second rinse cycle in the washing machine can also reduce laundry residues.
• Fabrics. Scratchy fabrics like wool can lead to an eczema double-whammy: they tend to be heavy and often too warm (which can make you sweat), and the rough texture can really rub you the wrong way. Whenever possible, wear open-weave, loose-fitting fabrics like cotton. Undyed or organic cotton fabrics that have undergone minimal processing can also be gentler on your skin. Even new clothes can carry fabric residues that may irritate your skin. Wash your new clothes before wearing them.
• Climate changes. Temperature and humidity changes can contribute to eczema flare-ups. Modify your activities to avoid excessive perspiration. Working and sleeping in areas with constant temperatures of 68° F to 75° F and a humidity of 45% to 55% may also increase your comfort level.
• Infections. Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can trigger eczema. Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot often set the stage for eczema flare-ups in the affected areas. You can’t always avoid skin infections. In cases where you can’t treat the symptoms on your own, your doctor can prescribe medication to clear up the infection.
• Emotional stress. Even if you “do everything right,” you may still have flare-ups from time to time. The anger and frustration some people feel when they have eczema flare-ups can make symptoms last longer. Don’t be discouraged. The more you learn about eczema, the more you’ll realize that having symptoms is not your fault, any more than you’re at fault for the color of your eyes.

You can’t always stop an eczema flare-up, but you can help take control of the itch-and-scratch cycle. Learn your triggers so you can avoid them, and keep your skin healthy with proper skin care and medication. And remember, no two people manage their eczema in exactly the same way. Over time, you’ll find the best way to manage your specific case.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 13th, 2008 at 6:51 am and is filed under Skin Concerns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.