Eczema Causes

Eczema Causes

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis as it is also known, is a chronic recurrent skin disease which usually occurs in infants & children which can continue into adulthood.

Eczema is usually more severe in infants and may improve later or even disappear totally during adulthood.

Furthermore children who suffer with eczema are likely to have other allergic conditions such as hay fever, allergic rhinitis and asthma.

So what causes some infants and/or adults to get eczema and not others, you may ask?

Well, whilst no laboratory test exists for which this condition can be diagnosed it’s causes can come from the following.

What Causes Eczema?

It is said that people who have eczema are born with it – in other words it could be a genetically inherited condition that may be worsened with exposure to certain things external as well as internal factors.

So while the exact causes eczema (atopic dermatitis) are unknown, it is understood that there are certain things that can cause eczema to flare up or get worse.

1. External Factors That Could Cause Eczema Flare Ups

Pollen AllergensExternal or environmental factors, also known as allergens, can cause the eczema sufferer’s autoimmune system to overreact triggering an allergic reaction thereby causing an eczema flare up.

These allergens can include things such as;

  • House dust
  • Pollen
  • Smoke
  • Mold
  • Pet fur
  • Chemicals, such as pesticides, perfumes, certain soaps, detergents, and household cleaners
  • Physical irritants, such as clothes made of certain fabrics

2. Food Allergens

Food Allergens Cause Eczema
Food Allergens Could Cause Eczema

The following foods should be avoided as they may cause allergic reactions and eczema flare ups.

  • Cow’s Milk
  • Eggs
  • Nuts
  • Wheat
  • Soya
  • Sea foods
  • Peanut

3. Internal Factors That Could Cause Eczema Flare Ups

Emotional Stress

Intense stress & emotions can bring on an eczema flare up.

Furthermore just the distress of having eczema could increase your stress and agravate the condition even more.

Stress management is important in coping with eczema.

Hormone Levels

A significant proportion of women with eczema report that their symptoms worsen during their menstrual cycle or when they are pregnant which are times when a woman’s hormone levels change.

In most eczema cases there is not just one treatment will be totally effective – medical research has also shown that the most effective treatment plan for eczema involves using a combination of therapies to treat the skin as well as making lifestyle changes to control flare-ups & reduce the eczema.