If your skin is dry, sensitive, red, and itchy, you could have eczema. According to the National Eczema Association, more than 30 million Americans suffer from it. It is the second most common skin condition, after acne.
There are several different types of eczema including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema and stasis dermatitis. The most common is atopic dermatitis.
Eczema shows up as red, itchy patches that look worse after scratching. The skin can be scaly, cracked or even bleeding in extreme cases. In more severe cases, ezema leads to inflammation, oozing and weeping.
In babies, eczema typically shows up between 2 to 4 months. It appears on the cheeks, chin and behind the knees, as well inside the elbows and wrists. If you’re a parent researching eczema for your baby, you’re not alone. Eczema affects 10-20% of babies around the world.
Some adults get it on their face and around the eyes, which can be uncomfortable as well as take a toll on self-esteem.
Eczema also often appears on the hands and feet, but also on the backs of legs and even the neck.
Itching makes eczema worse and can also leads to infections, swelling and more itchy skin- and then a vicious cycle continues.
While there is no cure for eczema, we know what triggers it, and topical treatments are getting more effective with each year.
In this article, we provide guidance on how to minimise triggers and explore what topical skincare formulations are effective for eczema as well as recommend at home remedies and treatments.
What Causes Eczema?
Eczema is caused by a mix of genetic factors, an overactive immune system and weak skin barrier function.
If your parents have eczema, you are more likely to have it.
A weak skin barrier cannot protect skin from pollutants, irritants and bacteria that can trigger eczema.
This is why effective treatment includes avoid flare ups.
Flare-ups can occur sporadically and even go away for years sometimes.
What Triggers Eczema Flare Ups?
Eczema rashes tend to come in waves with periodic flare ups – some people refer to it as “waking up” the eczema.
There is no cure for eczema so treating it entails keeping the symptoms under control and working to prevent a new outbreak. A big part of eczema management is identifying what can trigger it.
One of the hardest things about having eczema is confirming whether your skin condition is in fact eczema.
Many people can have dry, itchy and red skin, especially in the winter if they live in a place with a harsh climate. If your skin responds well to moisturizers, it is less likely to be eczema.
Extreme dryness, itching, redness, scaly and irritation is more likely to be eczema – especially if it doesn’t clear up quickly.
In short, it can affect the entire body and cause a lot of distress, even sleepless nights from all the itching.
It can accompany asthma or hay fever, and is usually chronic.
The main factors:
Dry Skin
Cold air and low humidity can trigger eczema. That’s why eczema is always worse in winter.
Weakened Epidermal Barrier
A weaker epidermal barrier results in the loss of protective fats like ceramides, which results in the skin becoming dry and dehydrated. Moisture evaporates easily, which causes dryness. This results in inflammation, which in turn results in an itching cycle that results eczema.
Environmental Factors
Dust mites and pollen often result in eczema outbreaks. In spring, eczema outbreaks are more frequent. Sweat and heat can also contribute to an outbreak. Pollution is also another potential factor that leads to eczema.
Irritants
Fragrance, sulfates, essential oils and peels can cause eczema. Avoid harsh cosmetic procedures and products. A good example is the surge in eczema on hands during COVID pandemic. This was a direct result of the increased usage in alchohol on hands.
Stress & Itching
Stress is another leading factor that could triggers eczema. Stress releases hormones that cause inflammation. When your skin is inflamed, chemicals including histamine and cytokines are released. This sense an itch signal. In a study publishes in Annals of Dermatology, all participants believed that stress could worsen their symptoms. There is also bidirectional relationship between stress and eczema. Stress aggravates eczema, while eczema can itself generate stress.
Shorter, cooler baths or showers, thorough hydration and careful avoidance of triggers can help prevent or treat eczema.
Hot Water
High water temperatures weaken the skins barrier and cause inflammation in the skin. This is one of the reasons why eczema worsens in winter. Always use lukewarm water, particularly in areas that are more prone to outbreaks.
What Are The Best Creams & Treatments for Eczema?
Here’s a look at eczema creams and treatments.
There are several ingredients that have proven themselves in the fight against eczema.
Glycerin, plant lipids, oils and petrolatum are moisturizing ingredients that can support the skin barrier and replenish skin with much-needed moisture to help treat dryness.
Glycerin and lipids, which are humectants, help lock in moisture to prevent water loss and to keep skin hydrated.
Colloidal oatmeal and aloe are the soothing ingredients that can help calm swelling, redness and itchiness, helping you to sleep better and experience overall less discomfort.
Hydrocortisone provides effective relief, but should be used for short periods as it can thin skin.
Effective, Clean Skincare
Eczema is characterized by dry, itchy skin so keeping your face and body moisturized is key.
Moisturize at least twice a day, and pay special attention to affected areas.
In winter, keep a moisturizer with you and reapply when the area feels dry.
Don’t forget about inside the elbows and behind the knees.
Applying moisturizer after a shower helps lock in moisture. Look for hydrating ingredients such as ceramides, plant lipids, oils and hyaluronic acid.
Start with a gentle cleanser. We recommend Carrot & Stick’s Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. This gentle cleanser protects the skins PH and does not strip away essential oils.
We recommend Carrot & Stick The The Comfort Cream. It’s rich in lipids, oils, phytoceramides and fatty acids that hydrate skin and support barrier function. You can use it anywhere on the face including around the eyes or body. Great for babies too.
Use a gentle oil Carrot & Stick’s The Renewal Face Oil. It replenishes oils and locks in moisture by acts as an emollient and occlusives.
The stronger the skin barrier, the less likely that you will have eczema flare-ups.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal, or avena sativa, is made from oats that have been ground and suspended in liquid. It’s thought to be anti-inflammatory and skin healing, which makes it a good choice for soothe eczema. Buy a box of colloidal oatmeal (such as one from Aveeno) to add to your bath, or try a moisturizer made with colloidal oatmeal, such as Gold Bond Ultimate Eczema Relief.
La Roche Posay Lipikar Eczema Cream is a budget conscious option suitable for body with multiple ingredients that help treat and soothe the condition. It contains 1% colloidal oatmeal as one of its top ingredients. Colloidal oatmeal is soothing and helps relieve itching.
Another drugstore option is Eucerin Eczema Relief. The main ingredient in Eucerin’s Eczema Relief cream is oatmeal. Other active ingredients include ceramide-3 and licochalcone (a flavonoid isolated from licorice root), both of which help reduce redness and itching.
A good choice for babies is CeraVe Baby Eczema Relief Cream.
It’s a gentle moisturizer that soothes the symptoms of eczema to provide immediate comfort and relief. Ceramides, shea butter, glycerin and hyaluronic acid form the bulk of the ingredients.
Hydrocortisone
One percent hydrocortisone cream is available over the counter in many countries including the USA. It’s a mild, topical steroid that provides rapid relief. It usually starts working within a few hours. For more severe eczema, your physician may
Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotion, which also contains zinc oxide, is often used on babies to help soothe rashes and mosquito bites as it is gentle but effective. It can also help relieve the symptoms of eczema as it has a cooling effect. Calamine lotion is pink and drippy so apply at night and let it dry thoroughly before climbing into bed.
Wear Cotton Clothing
What you wear can also have an effect on your eczema. Avoid tight clothing in order to let your skin breathe, and skip scratchy materials such as wool. If you do work out, try to change out of your sweaty gym clothes as soon as possible. Try wearing loose, 100% cotton clothing next to the skin which will be smooth and breathable. Swap any synthetic sleepwear for cotton as well.
Take a Warm Bath
Since eczema is often made worse by dry skin, it’s important to keep skin hydrated. One way to do is by taking a warm (not hot) bath to add more moisture to the body. Soak for 10-15 minutes and apply a rich moisturizer when you come out to seal in the hydration.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is often called nature’s healer. This gel is often applied to skin after a sunburn and may also help provide relief symptoms of eczema. Aloe vera gel also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which can help prevent future skin infections while healing the skin. It is widely available at drugstores and health food stores. Clinical trials are limited related to the use of aloe vera for eczeama, a study pointed to the healing properties of aloe vera
Relaxation Techniques
Stress can be a major trigger of eczema so learning how to manage stress and decompress can be a helpful tool. Everyone destresses in different ways but some options to try include yoga, meditation or deep breathing to feel calmer. Another option to consider is a meditation app, which can make your morning subway commute a little bit less stressful.
Exercise including a walk helps release release oxytocin and lowers cortisol, which slows down the body stress system.
Switch to a Mild Soap
Harsh soaps made with perfume and dye can make eczema worse. Soaps can also strip the skin of essential oils which will dry it out even further. Avoid antibacterial soaps for the body and switch to a gentle soap formulated without dye or perfume. Some soaps to try include Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash and Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash. Make sure to completely rinse the soap off your body and moisturize immediately after showering.
Switch Up Your Diet
Some eczema sufferers swear that certain foods make their eczema worse or trigger a flare up. While the jury is still out, eggs, wheat, soy, sugar and milk are among the most commonly named culprits. While only a doctor can rule out allergies, you can try eliminating these foods to see if there is any improvement with the skin.
A quick note that some foods may trigger eczema for some people ,including dairy, eggs, nuts, gluten andultra-processed foods.
Buy A Humidifier
Hot, dry indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen the itching and flaking associated with eczema. Try putting a humidifier in your bedroom to boost the air’s moisture levels. They are inexpensive and easily available at drugstores, but make sure you can clean it regularly to avoid a mold build up.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is recommended for seemingly everything these days, but it could be worth a try for anyone suffering from eczema. According to the National Eczema Association, coconut oil contains lauric acid, a fatty acid also found in breast milk that has antimicrobial qualities. It may also be anti-inflammatory so it may help provide relief from eczema but try a small test patch to rule out any allergies. Large studies show that coconut oil improves hydration and decerease moisture loss. We recommend Carrot & Stick The The Comfort Cream.
Avoid Itching
Put this one in the category of “easier than it sounds” but try to avoid scratching eczema covered skin, which will only continue the cycle of itching, inflamed skin. One way to avoid scratching is to cover or wrap the afflicted area in cotton gauze. Some parents put gloves on babies and children when they sleep at night to avoid scratching. Keeping your nails trimmed and smooth can also keep over zealous scratching at bay.
Load up on Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, so some people try to stabilize their condition by loading up on anti-inflammatory foods. Although it is not proven, it could be worth a try. This group includes probiotics, which are found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi and kombucha, as well as fish that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids such as mackerel and salmon. Fruits and vegetables such as berries, apples and kale are also thought to be anti-inflammatory.
And avoid foods that cause inflamation including refined carbohydrates, trans fats, processed meats, and excessive alcohol.
Wet Wrap Therapy
Keeping skin hydrated and moist is half the battle with eczema and one way to do that is with “wet wrap therapy.” According to the National Eczema Association, this entails soaking clean fabric in water and wrapping it around the afflicted area. Then put a layer of dry cloth on top of the wet layer. Use clean, white cotton gauze for the body, while socks and gloves can be used on the hands and feet. It’s a good idea to do a wet wrap at night when the water can soak in for hours.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why some eczema sufferers embrace it as a way to soothe and provide relief to inflamed skin. DIYers can make their own ointment out of honey, beeswax and olive oil. Honey is not recommended for babies though. If this sounds too messy for you, Eczema Honey is a line of honey-based products designed to soothe and calm skin. However there are no large, effecient clinical studies to demonstrate this.
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