How to Recognize and Avoid Common Eczema Triggers

When the temperature drops, eczema symptoms may show up, according to the National Eczema Society. In many people, extreme cold can parch skin — and this is one of the most common atopic dermatitis triggers, according to the Asthma & Allergy Network. (The Cleveland Clinic notes that cold, dry air can also make seborrheic dermatitis worse.) “The key is to prepare your skin before winter by keeping it in really good shape, so that it’s well hydrated and moisturized,” says Dr. Wattenberg. “If your skin barrier is intact, it's less likely to cause problems.”

Moisturizers are an important eczema treatment, especially in cold weather. They help keep skin from drying out, cracking, and itching. In the winter, a moisturizing ointment or a humectant cream (which pulls moisture into the top layer of the skin) is most effective in preventing moisture loss, the National Eczema Society notes. Use a humidifier to add moisture to dry indoor air — the Mayo Clinic recommends you aim for humidity levels of 30 to 50 percent.

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“While allergies are not the primary cause of atopic dermatitis, exposure to allergens like dust mites cause allergic dermatitis and itch, so this tends to flare atopic dermatitis,” says Dr. Lee. Thus dust mites can be a problem for people with allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.

If dust mites are a problem for you, there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure to them in your home. The Mayo Clinic suggests washing bed linens and curtains weekly in hot water, opting for allergen-proof bedcovers, and thoroughly cleaning your room to keep it free of clutter and dust. You may also choose to remove carpets, upholstered furniture, blinds, and unwashable curtains from your room, as these can collect dust and harbor dust mites.

Time to clean out your closet: Garments made of wool, synthetics, or other rough materials can be eczema triggers (particularly atopic dermatitis and both types of contact dermatitis), according to the Cleveland Clinic, while loose-fitting cotton clothes are less likely to cause eczema symptoms to flare up.

If you buy new clothes, wash them before you first wear to get rid of dye residue or other potential irritants, advises the NEA. Tags can irritate your skin, too, so make sure to cut them out of clothes, notes the Eczema Foundation.

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“Laundry detergent can flare atopic dermatitis or it can cause irritant hand dermatitis, for example, from hand-washing clothes and not wearing gloves and not moisturizing afterward,” says Lee.

She advises choosing a laundry detergent that’s labeled “fragrance-free,” not “unscented.” That’s because fragrances can cause skin reactions for someone with eczema, according to the NEA, and “unscented” detergents may still have fragrances; they’re just masked. Dyes can also cause irritation for those living with eczema, per the NEA, so look for a laundry detergent that’s dye-free, too.

Make sure you get all the soap out of your clothes by choosing the double rinse cycle.

Be careful with other household cleansers, too. To prevent eczema flare-ups, look for natural alternatives to products with harsh ingredients, or try “fold-fashioned” cleaners like white vinegar and soda crystals, which don’t contain any added chemicals, according to the National Eczema Society. “Personally, I think all people — with or without eczema — should use skin-care products, cosmetics, and laundry detergents with as few chemicals as possible,” adds Lee.

It’s an understatement to say life is stressful these days. But someone with atopic dermatitis may want to make sure they’re keeping their stress levels in check. “Stress does flare eczema for probably more than one reason, and for different reasons for different people — so they need to address those individually, and find stress-reducing techniques that work for them or their situation,” says Lee.

It’s nearly impossible to remove all stress from your life, but a few tried-and-true techniques may help you get the upper hand. Deep breathing, yoga, and mindful meditation are a few options the NEA suggests. Wattenberg advises doing whatever helps you relax, whether that’s exercise, acupuncture, or another stress-busting approach.

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The summer months are usually given a warm welcome, but dry summer heat can be a real issue for many people dealing with eczema. Dry air can trigger an atopic dermatitis flare-up, according to Harvard Health Publishing, while Wattenberg points out that extremely high or low temperatures can have the same effect.

Sweat can be an eczema trigger, too, thanks to the trace minerals found in perspiration (including zinc, copper, iron, and nickel), which may be irritating, according to the NEA. And while normal levels of humidity are fine, high levels of humidity can also be an atopic dermatitis trigger, because they can cause more sweating, the NEA also notes.

The Mayo Clinic also notes that products that create a reaction in the sun, like certain chemical sunscreens, may trigger allergic contact dermatitis as well. Aim for physical or mineral sunscreen, which contains the ingredients zinc and titanium, which are less likely to cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Over the summer, stay inside air-conditioned rooms as much as possible if this weather is one of your triggers. When you’re outside, take steps to avoid getting overheated and sweating. Find a shady spot to beat the heat and keep your cool.

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There’s a close association between food allergies and atopic dermatitis, according to the AAAAI. Specifically, food allergies may worsen an eczema flare-up, according to the AAD. If you suspect you may have a food allergy, ask your dermatologist or allergist about performing a skin prick or blood test. A patch test may also be helpful to identify any chemical or substance being applied to your skin that causes the atopic or contact dermatitis rash. The doctor will apply a number of small stickers on your back; each contains a potential allergen (such as latex, fragrances, or preservatives), according to the Mayo Clinic. They will then check your skin for a reaction, typically over the course of several days. If you test positive to any of the substances, strictly avoiding that substance is key to avoiding future flares.

When spring is in the air, pollen is, too. For people with atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis, pollen is a common eczema trigger, according to the Asthma & Allergy Network. Pollen can also be a trigger for people with allergic contact dermatitis, the Mayo Clinic notes. Stay indoors when pollen counts are high and keep your windows closed, suggests the Eczema Foundation. If you have to go outside, take a quick shower when you come in to remove pollen from your skin and hair, and wash your clothes. Ask your doctor about whether to add an antihistamine to your treatment for eczema.

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Finding cosmetics that don’t aggravate atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis can be challenging. Products containing alcohol, fragrances, lanolin, or retinoids may cause eczema breakouts for many people, according to the NEA. Carefully check labels: “Unscented” does not mean the product does not contain fragrance; it could mean the fragrance is masked. Look for “fragrance-free” instead. When trying out a new cosmetic, cleanser, or lotion, the NEA advises testing it on a small patch of skin (such as your wrist or your inner elbow) and watching for any reactions after 48 hours before applying it to larger areas.

Your furry and feathered friends are cherished family members, but they can also cause atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis to flare. If your animals are indoor pets, keep them off sofas and chairs and ban them from the bedroom — the Mayo Clinic recommends limiting exposure to your pets as much as possible. Frequent vacuuming of carpet and rugs may help keep a handle on pet dander, a common eczema trigger, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology notes. Regular bathing and grooming of pets may also reduce pet allergy flare-ups, per the Humane Society of the United States.

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A long, hot bath might be relaxing at the end of the day, but avoid the temptation of this potential atopic dermatitis trigger. Keep showers or baths as short as possible and use only lukewarm water, advises the NEA. Hot water can dry the skin and cause atopic dermatitis to flare, notes the Cleveland Clinic.

Be gentle on your skin when bathing — don’t scrub or rub with a washcloth or loofah, and pat skin with a towel after bathing. While your skin is still damp, apply a rich moisturizer to trap moisture in the skin — an essential part of treatment for eczema, the NEA notes.

You know that smoking is linked to lung cancer and other health problems. But did you know tobacco smoke can also worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms? One past review of research found that people who smoked and people who were exposed to secondhand smoke were more likely to be diagnosed with atopic dermatitis than those who did not. So if you smoke or live with a person who smokes, consider quitting or encouraging them to quit.