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Eczema Causes: Frequently Asked Questions

Those who suspect they have eczema often have many questions. Some of those questions are about the cause. Please continue reading on for a list of frequently asked questions and their answers.

Question: Did I do something wrong?
Answer: Eczema creates the uncontrollable urge to itch and scratch. The skin is irritated. Unfortunately, this can result in a larger red rash. That rash when itched more can turn into a patch of dry scaly skin or a blister-like sore that oozes. At this point in time, you may want to shout out “what did I do to deserve this?” The answer is nothing. Eczema is a common skin condition. Although you did nothing to cause eczema, there are steps you can take to treat it and prevent flare-ups. The easiest being keep your skin well moisturized.

Question: What is the cause of eczema?
Answer: There are many different causes. Eczema outbreaks and flare-ups happen to different people and for different reasons. Although there is no one cause for eczema, those with sensitive skin are prone. As for what can cause trigger a flare-up, it can be certain foods, certain chemicals, the weather, and stress even plays a role.

Question: Can I cure my eczema if I find the cause?
Answer: Not likely. While some individuals have one sole cause for eczema outbreaks and flare-ups, others have many. You may find yourself itching and scratching after sweating from the hot weather, after using scented body wash, or after drinking milk. Determining the cause of your uncontrollable itch and eliminating at a source will help, but you are still and may always be prone to episodes.

Question: Will my children develop eczema too?
Answer: Many adults wonder if they can pass eczema onto their children. Yes, you can. Medical professionals have determined that children with immediate family members who have atopic dermatitis are susceptible to the condition too. On that same note, there are many instances in which it is not passed down. In fact, some children develop and live with eczema, but have no prior family history.

Question: How can I treat eczema?
Answer: As stated above, there isn’t a known cause for eczema, but medical professionals are aware of trigger factors. These make eczema worse or cause a flare-up. In addition to keeping your body well moisturized, you can try to determine your trigger factors and avoid them. Keep a daily journal of your day. Document all the foods you eat, what activities you were doing, what products came into contact with your skin and so forth. Compare your journal to an outbreak.

Dealing with Eczema and the Lifestyle Changes

If you suffer from eczema, you may have turned to the internet or asked your doctor about treatment options. There are many ways to treat eczema, but they aren’t one-time things. To successfully manage and deal with eczema, you must make important lifestyle changes. As hard as this sounds, it is key to living your life without constant eczema flare-ups.

What lifestyle changes may need to be made? Honestly, it all depends on what causes your skin irritation.

A common cause of eczema is certain foods. Many patients experience an outbreak after eating milk, eggs, wheat, seafood, and peanut butter. Other foods can be the cause too. Although the risk of atopic dermatitis is always present, you can significantly reduce the number of outbreaks and flare-ups you have by eliminating certain foods. Keep a journal to compare what you eat to when you have an outbreak. If you believe you found a culprit, work on eliminating these foods from your diet.

Here is where the lifestyle change comes in. Eliminating food from your diet? That may be okay if your trigger factor is seafood. Seafood tastes great, but isn’t a necessity. On the other hand, we all consume milks and eggs and on a regular basis. There are alternatives, but they taste different and will take some getting used to. You want to stop eczema outbreaks, but you are also making a lifestyle change. For that reason, take it slow. If you think milk is the culprit, don’t automatically eliminate it from your diet if you don’t want. Instead, slowly start replacing it with the alternatives.

In addition to foods, another cause of eczema flare-ups is exposure to certain airborne allergens. Some have experienced skin irritation when coming into contact with dust and pet dander. These too can lead to hard lifestyle changes. What if your parents have a dog? Of course, you don’t want to avoid seeing them, but discuss your eczema with them. You can meet outside of their home, avoid direct contact with their dog, and wear covering clothes when visiting.

Another way to successfully treat eczema is to make the switch to all-natural. Some individuals experience flare-ups after coming into contact with certain chemicals, like those found in scented laundry detergents and beauty products. Luckily, this switch is more easier to make. Get your body and skin back to its original state with natural and organic beauty products, foods, and literally anything else you can think of.

You Have Eczema: Now What?

Were you recently diagnosed by a physician or do you have all the classic signs and symptoms of eczema? It is nice to have a name for the skin condition, but what comes next?

Work on determining your eczema cause. Unfortunately, this can be a long and difficult process. It is one that is best done through trial and error. Eczema has many causes. Some individuals experience an outbreak after contact with certain chemicals, like those found in laundry detergent and makeup. Other experience an outbreak after skin contact is made with allergens, such as pet dander, dust, and mold.

One of the best ways to determine your eczema cause is to keep a journal. Log your daily activities and each outbreak. What were you doing right before? Were you dusting or vacuuming your home? During this time, dust, mold, and pet dander can get stirred up, making contact with your skin. If you suspect you found your trigger factor, you must take steps to avoid it.

Seek immediate relief. As previously stated, stopping eczema at the source can take time and lots of trial and error. You don’t want to wait days, weeks, or even months to seek relief; you want it now.

One of the best ways to seek immediate relief from eczema is to moisturize. Dry skin is the leady cause of itching. You can treat dry skin with moisturizer. The format, cream or lotion, should depend on your own personal preference. It is best to apply moisturizer throughout the entire day; however, it is most important immediately following a shower or bath.

Antihistamines and anti-itch creams can also prove effective. Anti-itch creams are topical and should be applied carefully and only to the area you want to treat. Antihistamines are designed to treat allergies, which can actually be a cause of eczema. They help stop the itch, as well as clear up rashes and hives.

Seek support if you need it. Getting an eczema diagnosis has its pros and cons. You now have a name for your condition, but there isn’t an immediate cure. Dealing with eczema can be a long struggle. If you have difficulties and do not have a strong support system at home, it is best to seek the support of other eczema sufferers. You can find many support groups and forums online.

Parents: How to Discuss Eczema with Other Parents

Are you the parent of a child was has eczema? If so, get use to stares on the playground and whispering from other parents. Unfortunately, many people mistakenly believe eczema is a contagious skin condition, but it is not. In fact, you may need to start a discussion with other parents to stop the worry.

It is your decision as to whether you want to wait until other parents ask you about your child’s rash or if you want to start the discussion yourself. Either way, continue reading on for a few helpful talking points.

A great way to discuss your child’s eczema with other parents is to share what you know. Eczema is inflammation of the skin. Basically, your child’s skin is irritated. Tell other parents that there are many reasons for eczema, including the weather, airborne allergens, and contact with certain chemicals. Close contact with the skin results in itching, only your child can’t stop, so a rash develops. As dangerous looking as that rash may look, it is harmless to others. Eczema is not contagious. In fact, your child is at the most risk. If they have an open wound that is left uncovered, the risk of infection increases.

If you don’t want to go all medical on other parents, compare eczema to traditional allergies. When most of us think of allergies, sneezing and stuffy noses come to mind. These are a body’s reaction to something it doesn’t like. With eczema, the skin does the same. Your child’s skin comes into contact with something it doesn’t like, something that irritates the skin surface. That is why your child feels the need to itch and scratch, resulting in a rash.

The biggest concern that other parents have about eczema is their children catching it. Regardless of how you discuss eczema, ensure everyone knows it isn’t contagious. In addition to comparing the skin condition to allergies, compare it to a small cut on the skin. It is harmless to others. There is no reason why your child can’t be a normal kid and play with others because they suffer from atopic dermatitis.

Taking to other parents about eczema will help in social situations, but it won’t cure your child’s eczema. Do to that, always be on the lookout for trigger factors. In the meantime, use all-natural relief methods, such as moisturizer and skin healthy foods, to help your child seek relief.