5 Home Remedies to Help You Avoid Eczema Triggers

Eczema can be a tricky condition to live with. It develops when the skin’s natural protective barrier doesn’t function properly. 

Without this layer of protection, things that make contact with your skin can cause a variety of reactions, including:

• Bumps
• Rashes
• Dryness
• Itchiness
• Flaky, crusty, scaly, or thickened patches
• Swelling 

However, there are ways to keep these reactions at bay.

Our team at Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates in Tampa and Brandon, Florida, knows that eczema can vary from person to person, and your symptoms can come and go.

Our goal is to minimize flare-ups and extend the amount of time between them. Our secret? We identify your triggers and ensure you have good strategies at home to avoid them.

Do you have eczema? Here are five places to start.

1. Moisturize

Eczema affects over 31 million Americans. It’s a type of dermatitis that develops when your skin can’t retain moisture properly. 

And the drier your skin gets, the higher the chances of skin irritation and an eczema flare-up.

If you have eczema, it’s crucial to make moisturizing a high priority, especially in dry climates or during the winter. For the best results, choose personal care products that are designed for sensitive skin and are scent-free and hypoallergenic.

2. Beat stress

While stress itself won’t cause eczema, it can trigger symptoms. That’s because your system releases hormones in times of stress that disrupt the immune system and activate an inflammatory response in the skin.

If you struggle with stress or anxiety regularly, try adding relaxation techniques into your daily life. These types of activities often include meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and even journaling.

Do you need some extra help? Our team can point you toward an expert who can suggest additional interventions, like medication or therapy.

3. Eat right

Have you ever noticed your symptoms flaring up after you eat certain foods? You could have a sensitivity or an allergy.

Our team can help identify the allergies behind your symptoms so you know which items to avoid. Food allergies that are often associated with eczema include dairy, eggs, and peanuts.

It’s also common for items that cause inflammation in the system to exacerbate eczema symptoms — like gluten, refined carbohydrates, and added sugar — even if you don’t have an allergy to them.

4. Chill out

You know that exercise does a body good. However, a lot of sweating can also cause an eczema flare-up.

That doesn’t mean you have to ditch your workout if you notice your symptoms worsening after exercise.

Instead, take steps to play it cool while you break a sweat, such as:

• Choosing a cooler time of day to work out
• Lowering your workout intensity
• Keeping a fan nearby
• Gently blotting sweat away often — never use rough movements

Finally, always take a shower as soon as you finish exercising and use warm (not hot) water. And don’t forget to moisturize when you’re done, ideally when your skin is still damp.

5. Dress for success

If you have eczema, you know firsthand that your skin can be sensitive. But did you know even detergents and fabrics can trigger irritation?

To avoid this problem, always use unscented laundry products that are made for sensitive skin. Then, choose the right clothing. 

Our team recommends picking items made of natural materials — like cotton — and avoiding synthetic fibers or wool. Also, always wash new clothing before wearing it to eliminate the possibility of irritation. 

If you notice that something you wear causes or worsens symptoms, stop wearing them.

Living with eczema

Eczema may be tricky to manage, but our team has answers.

In addition to identifying what’s triggering your flare-ups, we offer personalized guidance to manage them. We can also offer topical or oral medications to reduce inflammation and itching.

And we have solutions for severe eczema, too. If your condition doesn’t respond to standard treatment protocols, we could suggest biologic therapy.

Do you have eczema? Contact Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates to learn more about treatment strategies and home remedies by calling or booking a consultation online today.