We are supporting the National Eczema Association by raising awareness of National Eczema Week by creating a variety of content on how best to treat, manage, and understand eczema symptoms better. Too often eczema (or sometimes called atopic dermatitis) is not recognised as a serious and painful medical condition by health commissioners and policymakers.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a very dry skin condition. It is a highly individual condition that varies from person to person and comes in many different forms. It is not infectious so you cannot catch it from someone else. The word eczema comes from the Greek word “ekzein”, which means “to boil”. Those with hay fever or asthma are said to be more at risk to develop eczema.

Eczema can be completely unpredictable and difficult to live with, particularly severe flare ups. Recognising the triggers that cause your eczema flare ups will be an effective measure in managing the condition and preventing making symptoms worse.

1. Avoid washing the skin with soap, detergents, & shampoo

Traditional soaps and detergents remove the natural oils from the skin leaving your skin barrier dry and vulnerable which can then trigger eczema symptoms and flare ups. As the skin is more dry and itchy, it leads to the skin becoming more sensitive to irritants.

Solution: To control symptoms, use moisturising treatments such as a thick moisturising emollient as a soap substitute and add an emollient to the bath or shower. Avoid staying in water for too long and pat the skin dry with a towel, never rub eczematous skin dry.

2. Stress can cause flare ups

Of course, it is easier said than done however, avoiding stress as much as possible will work wonders for controlling eczema symptoms. A hormone called cortisol is released when we experience periods of ongoing stress. Cortisol suppresses the immune system and increases inflammation throughout the body. This increase in inflammation extends to the skin and in turn worsens eczema symptoms.

Solution: Find support to help you deal with times of prolonged stress.

3. Check that your washing detergent is suitable for eczema

Those with eczema, allergies or sensitive skin tend to find that symptoms are triggered when they use certain detergents (particular bio) due to the added cleaning agent enzymes within the formula.

Solution: Switch to a non-bio washing detergent listed as suitable for sensitive skin instead.

4. Choose your clothes wisely

Fabrics such as wool and polyster are synthentic materials which causes the body to overheat, sweat and result in irritated skin. Rough seams, fastening, and threads can also cause problems for sensitive or skin affected by eczema.

Solution: Choose natural, breatheable fabrics such as cotton (preferably 100%). Cotton is soft, cool, great at absorbing sweat, easily washable and allows the skin to 'breathe'. Opting for loose fabrics that move with you rather than tight clothes also allows your skin to avoid excessive pressure and friction.

5. Look into the benefits of light therapy

Research has shown that LED light therapy can effectively relieve the inflammation as well as other symptoms such as itching, allowing the skin to heal for a while.

There are various different LED light colours and some devices don't have them all so it's important to choose a device with the right colours for you and your eczema. Red light has an anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, while infrared light helps to rejuvenate and repair the skin, reduce skin pigmentation and scars, encouraging tissue healing and boosting the immune system. Blue light provides antibacterial benefits to the skin.

Solution: Light therapy can usually be accessed within a clinic or, you can purchase at-home devices online here. However, these only usually allow for treatment on the face.

6. Resist the urge to scratch

Scratching visibly irritated red skin and eczema can seem like the only way to get rid of itchy skin. However, it can lead to breaking the skin, causing skin infections and an increased risk of bacteria. The skin eventually thickens and creates scaly skin conditions.

Solution: Keep fingernails smooth and short with no obvious rough edges. This will also help if you tend get severe itching throughout the night without realising. Wear gloves overnight for protection if you have to. If you really can't resist the urge to scratch, pinch the area to relieve the immediate skin irritation and eczema rash.

7. Prepare for extreme temperature changes

Environmental triggers such as extreme temperatures of course, cannot be controlled, but can affect eczema. Whether very hot or very cold, extreme temperatures can affect eczema. During the winter months, humidity that provides moisture in the air decreases. The dry air often results in dry skin, which can worsen eczema. Hot temperatures can also aggravate eczema.

The heat can stimulate that itchy, prickly feeling those with eczema know all too well. It can also cause sweating, which may lure bacteria and unwanted chemicals to your skin. Having eczema doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a cold winter night or a hot summer day. But you should be prepared for either extreme with a treatment plan that lessens unwanted symptoms.

Solution: During the colder months, consider incorporating a Hyaluronic Acid serum, swapping to a richer moisturiser and purchasing a humidifer as central heating draws the moisture out of both the air and your skin. During the warmer months, keep hydrated with extra water as sweating can cause dehydration and remember to always wear cotton rather than synthetic, man-made fabrics. If you are a regular swimmer, ensure that you rinse your skin immediately after coming out of chlorine to prevent very dry skin.

8. Avoid steroid creams as much as possible

Prescription medication such as steroid creams can be used to manage and treat severe eczema affecting the skin surface however, repeated or prolonged treatment can cause rebound effects, thin the skin, and cause skin lightening so it shouldn't be a long term treatment.

Solution: Try non-sterioidal creams like Atopiclair for effective relief without the unwanted side effects. Atopiclair reduces skin inflammation and helps to treat eczema symptoms immediately upon application.

"I have been using this for 3 years now. I have difficulty in finding this product in different pharmacies or shops in my current location. Luckily, when I searched online I found dermacaredirect.co.uk and purchased the product right away. This nonsteroidal cream is very effective on my eczema this is the only cream that controls my skin problem. I am lucky enough that my doctor recommends this cream." - Dermacare Direct Customer

9. Limit contact with water or detergents

Prolonged time spent in water and using detergents causes skin dryness which leads to eczema. This is why eczema or contact dermatitis are very common within working professionals such as hairdressers due to the excessive time spent with their hands in water and dealing with chemicals like bleach and dyes.

Solution: If you cannot limit your time in water, chemicals, and detergent then instead wear rubber gloves with a cotton lining to keep the affected skin such as your hands and arms protected. 

If you need further help regarding treating eczema and overall skin health then feel free to ask us for the best skincare tips and expert tips from our very own skincare experts! All the products featured above are available to purchase at Dermacare Direct with free tracked delivery via Royal Mail. We can help with our expert advice and top tips making your online shopping stress-free. You can contact us by live chat, email via [email protected], or pick up the phone now and call us on phone number 0116 251 4848 to speak directly with a friendly advisor.