Eczema Flare-Ups Explained: The Triggers You Might Be Missing

Eczema can feel like the ultimate skin party crasher.

One minute, your skin could be fine, then the next, it’s dry, itchy, and having a flare up you didn’t RSVP to. Eczema sufferers will feel this pain. As will parents of young kids with eczema - a club that I am also a part of.

How to treat eczema?

The thing with eczema, is that it’s a skin condition that can vary wildly from person to person, and what might be a common trigger for one, may not be a trigger for another. Hence why it’s important to figure out what some common triggers are personally for you. 

So whether you’re a lifelong eczema sufferer or only just starting to notice those very common patches of dry, itchy skin let me go through a 101 on what’s going on with eczema prone skin, why it happens and (most importantly) how to calm things down. 

Eczema (aka atopic dermatitis) is an inflammatory skin condition that causes patches of skin to become dry/itchy and scaly.

It happens when your skin barrier is weaker than it should be, letting irritants, allergens, and moisture escape.

Which is essentially what leads to inflammation and dry/ itchy skin.

This is why looking after your skin barrier is super important, because a healthy skin barrier function will help your skin hold onto moisture. Which will help you on your journey to healthy, happy skin. 

Also eczema can affect anyone. It’s super common in younger people, including babies and while many people can outgrow it, many don’t and they will have to deal with it as a lifelong skin condition. 

There are different types of eczema too, but for the purpose of this feature we’ll just focus on atopic dermatitis which is the most common.

Eczema can show up all over the body but some of the most common areas are the backs of knees, elbow creases, hands, face and neck.

The drier the skin gets in these areas, often the itchier it becomes, and the more the scratching intensifies the greater the chance of damaging your barrier.

Eczema tends to look like a rash, dry, flaky skin, scaly/crusty skin surrounded by inflammation and some people can experience swelling (depending on the severity.)

Genetics: If eczema runs in the family, you might’ve inherited a tendency for a weaker skin barrier and overactive immune system. (So you can thank your mum and dad for that one.) If you have allergies and/or asthma you might also be at risk.

Allergens: Dust mites, pollen, mould, pet fur etc. can irritate your skin and send your immune system into overdrive, making eczema flare up.

Irritants: Soaps, detergents, fragrances, and even certain fabrics can strip or irritate the skin, leaving it dry, red, and itchy. Fragrance free and soap free products are always recommended for eczema prone skin!

Weather: Dry, cold air in winter or sweaty, sticky heat in summer can mess with your skin’s barrier, making it prone to flare-ups. Although HEAT and high humidity is a big trigger for eczema too. This is because it can cause sweating, which can make your eczema worse. It’s something I see in clinic all through summer! Cotton clothing can help.

Stress: When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones that can trigger or worsen inflammation, which also means your  skin might throw a tantrum (thank you, cortisol!)

Overwashing: Stripping your skin of natural oils by washing too frequently, or with harsh cleansers/ones that aren’t right for you is another common trigger that can leave your skin barrier crying for help.

Sweat: Sweating can irritate sensitive skin, especially if it’s trapped under tight clothing - again this can happen through summer and/or when exercising which can trigger a flare. 

Hormones: Fluctuations during pregnancy, your period, or other hormonal changes can make eczema worse as your skin barrier can become more vulnerable.

How can you treat eczema?

To manage eczema-prone skin, focus on strengthening the skin barrier with gentle, fragrance-free products, consistent moisturising, and it’s so important to avoid your triggers - which is why it’s important to figure this out! 

Worst case scenario, some people may need to talk to their doctor. In clinic LED light therapy can help! 

In terms of specific products, here's some of the best skincare for eczema prone skin:

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Huile Lavante AP+ Cleansing Oil: gently cleanses while replenishing the skin's moisture barrier. It contains  protective glycerin, making it perfect for dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin - and safe for kids!

Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream 400ml: this is a thick cream that  soothes and restores eczema-prone/dry skin with I-Modulia® to calm itching and redness, Cer-omega for barrier repair, and Avène thermal spring water for hydration and anti-inflammatory benefits. It is thick/lush and like a big hug for irritated skin. 

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ 40ml: this icon of a product soothes, repairs, and protects irritated skin with a blend of panthenol (Vitamin B5) for hydration, madecassoside for barrier repair. I always say everyone should have a tube of this in their skincare toolkit.

CeraVe Advanced Repair Balm 50ml: this balm deeply hydrates and protects dry, cracked skin. It has ceramides to restore the skin barrier, hyaluronic acid for moisture retention, and petrolatum to lock in hydration and promote healing. It is a balm so designed to lock everything in (it is not a moisturiser) and is especially good for really irritated areas on the body that dry out quickly. 

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Mains Barrier Repairing Hand Cream 100ml: if you work in healthcare and wash your hands a gazillion times a day this is for you! I was obsessed with this hand cream through the covid era and if your hands constantly dry out/irritate it’ll be perfect. It soothes, protects, and repairs dry, irritated hands with glycerin for hydration and shea butter to restore the skin barrier. Also amazing applied at night before bed so you can wake up with the softest hands ever! 

Avene Cicalfate+ Skin Repair Serum 30ml: This serum is designed to bring balance back to your skin. It can help soothe and repair compromised skin with TRP-Regulin to help reduce discomfort, pro-vitamin b5 to help restore the skin barrier and Avène thermal spring water, proven to soothe and soften the skin.

Avene Tolerance Control Intensive Skin Recovery Serum 30ml: This serum soothes and calms irritated, sensitive skin with its minimal-ingredient formula, featuring Avène's thermal spring water to soothe and soften, provitamin b5 to help restore the skin barrier and also contains TRP-Regulin to help reduce discomfort.

Avene Tolerance CONTROL Soothing Skin Recovery Cream 40ml: this moisturiser calms and restores sensitive, irritated skin with postbiotic-rich Avène thermal spring water, soothing parcerine, and hydrating glycerin. All of which will help to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce redness. It melts into the skin and isn’t heavy at all!