Pay Attention To These Eczema Triggers
Eczema is a skin condition that you hear mentioned more and more. The various types and stages of it impact 31.6 percent of all individuals living in the U.S. today. Eczema shows as patches of the skin and will be itchy, inflamed, cracked, red, and rough.
While it is possible to simply outgrow eczema as one matures, others suffer with it all of their adult lives as well. There are many things that can trigger symptoms but people find that diet can be the main cause. Avoiding trigger foods is imperative to managing symptoms. Likewise, the following foods can be eczema relievers.
Eczema is often associated with allergies, specifically food allergies. If you have eczema, you should avoid these foods as they could be contributing to your body’s reaction.
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Soy Products
- Gluten
- Nuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
Causes of Eczema
Doctors and the medical sciences do not know what causes eczema specifically. They believe that it happens because of a variety of combined environmental and genetic factors. The good news is that eczema is not contagious.
Children have a higher chance of contracting it when one or both parents have suffered from eczema or another form of atopic disease. When both of the parents have the atopic condition, then the risk becomes significantly higher. There is a range of environmental factors that cause eczema symptoms.
These include the following:
- Allergens – like pollen, dust mites, dandruff, and mold can cause it
- Irritants – including disinfectants, detergents, soaps, shampoos, fresh fruit juices, vegetables, or meat can trigger it
- Microbes – eczema can be set off by viruses, some fungi, and Staphylococcus aureus
- Foods – including eggs, dairy items, seeds, nuts, wheat, and soy products lead to eczema flare-ups
- Cold and hot temperatures – low and high humidity, extreme cold or hot weather, and sweat from exercising all trigger eczema
- Stress – makes existing symptoms worse
- Hormones – women often suffer worse symptoms when their hormone levels shift as in the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy
Foods That Can Help With Eczema
These foods can help with your eczema symptoms by providing anti-inflammatory effects.
- Fatty Fish
- Foods containing Quercetin (like apples, blueberries, cherries, broccoli, spinach, and kale)
- Probiotics (like sourdough bread, fermented foods, yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut)
Treatments for Eczema
Unfortunately, no known cure for eczema exists today. The goal with treatment is to heal up the places in the skin that are impacted and to stop symptoms from flaring up again. Doctors consider the victim’s age, the existing state of health, and symptoms when they put together a treatment regimen. Some individuals are fortunate that eczema just goes away on its own in time. Others suffer from treating their symptoms for the rest of their lives.
Home Remedies
Home care for eczema offers a range of things sufferers can do to encourage milder symptoms and healthier skin. These include the following:
- Avoid Hot Baths
- Moisturize daily, and in three minutes or less following a bath or shower
- Wear only soft fabrics like cotton, while religiously avoiding scratchy and rough fibers or tight clothing
- Wash with only a non-soap cleanser or a mild soap
- Gently towel dry or better yet air dry after a bath or shower
- Avoid rapid temperature changes and sweat causing activities
- Use a humidifier when the weather is dry or cold
- Avoid your personal eczema triggers
- Maintain short fingernails so you don’t break open the skin if you scratch
While eczema cannot be treated today, a treatment plan appropriate to the experienced symptoms should be established. Once a part of the skin has improved, you should still watch it closely. It could suffer from another flare-up relatively easily.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.