Winter Eczema
If you’re experiencing the signs of eczema right now, you might be asking, ‘why is my eczema flaring up in winter?’
In actual fact, eczema sufferers often experience a flare-up during the colder seasons. It’s all because colder air is drier than normal. Together with the fact that we’re snuggled up indoors, maxing out on central heating, which also sucks the moisture from air, and taking hot baths, it’s really no wonder that our poor skin pays the price.
So, how can you work around this? Obviously, no matter how itchy it can get, you have to adopt a mind over matter approach and avoid scratching. Keeping your body hydrated on the inside and out is another key to combating winter eczema. A few simple changes can help you do this. For instance, drinking plenty of water, using a moisturiser twice daily and any special treatment cream that you’ve been prescribed and opting for warm baths instead of hot baths.
Is Eczema caused by Stress?
During periods of stress and anxiety, the body goes into fight or flight mode, raising levels of cortisol in the system. This has the action of suppressing the immune system and causing an inflammatory response in the skin. Eczema!
The problem is that stress and eczema go hand in hand, one causing the other and vice versa. It can be a difficult cycle to break. And though there isn’t a cure for eczema, it can be managed and kept under control. Reducing stress levels is a great first step, although sometimes easier said than done.
Eczema and Skin Irritants
Some people’s eczemas or contact dermatitis can also be triggered by skin irritants, like soap, detergents, perfumes, preservatives, and solvent. In short, certain chemicals or ingredients that dry the skin out. So if you’re a sufferer, avoid harsh ingredients and use dermatologically tested products for sensitive skin instead.