Eczema is one of the most common skin concerns. It affects people of all ages, both male and female, and is usually chronic. The symptoms of eczema include (but are not limited to) very dry, tight skin, formation of dry, red patches/blisters on the skin, frequent rashes, itchy skin, etc.
While it is true that with a certain lifestyle and diet changes you can keep eczema under control, there are also things that make it worse and have to be avoided. Today we'd like to tell you a bit more about 5 of the most common eczema triggers that are sure to make your skin feel “unhappy”.
Hot Showers & Long Baths
Have you ever noticed that after taking a hot bath/shower, your skin feels tight and very dry? The reason for this is that hot water literally melts the natural lipids that form the protective barrier of your skin. This not only leaves your skin vulnerable to external aggressors but also dehydrates it + interferes with its ability to retain moisture.
Reducing the amount of time you spend under the shower is crucial for keeping the symptoms of eczema at bay.
Harsh Cleansers
Strong detergents, in shampoos, shower gels, soaps, etc., are some of the most common eczema triggers. They break down the natural lipid mantel of the skin, therefore increase its susceptibility to infections. Ingredients like sulphates (SLS, SLES) should be avoided at all costs if you want to keep your skin healthy and calm.
If you have eczema, we’d recommend switching to organic cleansers (preferably cream cleanser) or at least ones that are not formulated with sulphates.
What To Try: La Mav Hydra-Calm Cleansing Creme
Scratching Your Skin
This one is tough - we’ve been there and I know it. When your skin itches, you just can’t control yourself.
Finding a way to resist the urge to scratch, though is the first step to improving the overall condition of your skin. Scratching causes further damage to the skin and aggravates any pre-existing inflammations. Apart from that, it leads to the formation of wounds that are basically “open doors” for bacteria and viruses.
Stressing Out
Even though it's pretty much impossible to remove all stress from your life, finding ways to reduce it will help you feel more relaxed. When you are nervous and anxious, you are more likely to give in to the urge to scratch + some sources suggest that eczema outbreaks can be triggered by emotions.
There are many ways to reduce stress, but until you find your own, you may have to experiment with some stuff – yoga, meditation, deep breathing, running, dancing, going out with friends (no beer/wine included – both increase the levels of histamine in your body, hence make eczema worse), etc.
Synthetic Clothing
Wearing clothes made of synthetic fibre (and sometimes wool) is another common eczema trigger. Try switching to organic cotton and loose-fitting clothes. They feel nicer on the skin and are less likely to cause irritation.
Lastly, we’d like to mention that finding your own personal eczema triggers takes some time. Listen to your body carefully and it will tell you everything.
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