Eczema flare ups can really get under your skin (pun intended). So, learning what can cause a flare up (worsening of symptoms) is a vital step in reducing the number of reoccurrences.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a group of skin conditions that causes the skin to become red, itchy, and inflamed. The medical term is Atopic Dermatitis. It is estimated that over 30 million Americans suffer from eczema each year.
No one knows what causes eczema to develop for a person. Research has shown that people with eczema tend to have an overactive immune system. Research also shows that some people have a mutation in the gene that produces Filaggrin. Filaggrin is a protein that helps our bodies maintain a healthy protective layer (skin).
Flare Causes:
Below is a list of common items that can cause a flare up. Knowing these potential culprits can help you make different choices in your product purchases and daily activities.
- Temperature- With the summer sun quickly approaching, it is important to note that your skin may not like getting hot and sweaty. Even taking too hot of a bath has been listed as a flare up.
- Hold the Irritants, Please! Anything from the perfumes in hand soap, to the dyes in your laundry detergent can cause your eczema to flare. Paraphenylene-diamine, Formaldehyde, and Cocamidopropyl betaine are ingredients in household cleaners, shampoos, and dyes in certain fabrics that have been linked to eczema flare ups.
- Stress- Stress can affect your body drastically. Increases in stress levels can cause flareups.
Eczema Treatments:
In the event of a flareup, there are many treatment options available from over the counter or prescription topical and oral medications. Consult with your doctor or Dermatologist about your best options.
At ActivMed, we are committed not only to working with patients to find current treatments that will deliver the most impactful results, but also in working to develop new treatment options through clinical studies.
If you or someone you love is struggling with eczema, ActivMed currently has enrolling studies for those seeking new treatment options. Qualified candidates who participate will receive study-related care at no cost and receive compensation for travel. To learn more and see how you or someone you love may qualify for a study, click HERE
References:
https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/
https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/causes-and-triggers-of-eczema/