Everything About Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, Triggers and Treatment

Eczema is a type of dermatitis that cause skin inflammation. Due to its complex nature, the exact cause of eczema has not been definitively identified in medical science, but in simplicity, it is a complex skin disease that tends to arise in people with an overactive immune system that responds to certain environmental factors by producing inflammation.

So, can eczema be cured? Except for one type of eczema, there is currently no known cure for eczema in medical science. Therefore, any topical skincare product claiming to cure eczema is just a sales gimmick.

However, as long as you understand how to properly care for it with a comprehensive approach, including stress management, daily diet, daily lifestyle habits, skincare, and nutritional supplements, the existing symptoms can indeed be controlled and improved, with reduced likelihood of future flare-ups, all without the need for steroid medications.

This article will discuss in-depth the different types of eczema, causes, symptoms, triggers, and effective care methods to alleviate existing symptoms and reduce the chances of future flare-ups.

What is Eczema?

There are six main types of eczema, but in essence, they are all dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is not contagious. As it weakens the skin’s barrier function, which is responsible for helping the skin retain moisture and protecting the body from outside elements, irritants, bacteria, and allergens can attack the body and “switches on” the immune system, which then produces inflammation, or a flare-up, on the surface of the skin, leading to symptoms such as dry and scaly skin, redness, itchiness, hives, fluid-filled blisters, or even thickened skin over time.

While eczema can occur at any age, it often starts in early childhood due to its genetic element, and may persist into adulthood.

What Causes Eczema?

The truth is, there is no one simple answer. However, what we do know is it can be a combination of genetics, the skin’s microbiome, gut health, and environmental factors.

For certain eczema sufferers, their skin genetically lacks filaggrin, a protein that strengthens and maintains the skin barrier, resulting in the skin’s inability in keeping moisture in, and bacteria and irritants out, which then leads to inflammation. For others, it is related to an abnormal regulation of the immune system that tends to promote inflammation.

Recent studies have also drawn a link between eczema and the health of the skin’s microbiome, as research have found that most eczema patients have an over-proliferation of bad bacteria on their skin, while lacking the good bacteria that help prevent inflammation.

Gut health, which can be affected by what we eat and drink, has been shown to be closely associated with the appearance of eczema as well.

What also triggers and aggravates eczema are environmental factors and irritants, including sulphates, alcohol-based products, dust, mites, face mask, temperature fluctuations, humid weather, cold air, illness, insect bites, mold, pollen, certain fabrics, etc.

Stress and anxiety also play a role in provoking systems. When under stress, the body releases cortisol, which increases inflammation throughout the body. This can directly lead to skin inflammation and an eczema flare.

Types of Eczema and Their Respective Symptoms

There are six main types of eczema:

｜Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, is often caused by one’s genetics. It often begins in childhood, and flare-ups can continue on through adulthood. While there is no cure, the condition can be managed and flare-ups can be kept at a minimum with proper care.

【 Symptoms 】

• Dry skin
• Itching that can be severe sometimes
• Swelling and inflammation
• Red, brown purple or even grey rashes, depending on your natural skin color
• Small, fluid-filled bumps or crusting
• Cracked skin

｜Contact Dermatitis

The second most common type of eczema is contact dermatitis, that is when the skin reacts to something in the environment, after a single exposure or after repeated exposures over time, that causes irritation and inflammation. The rash can last for a few days to a couple of weeks. If the irritant is instantly identified and avoided, the rash generally goes away quickly, and won’t come back unless exposed to the irritant again.

Those who are at higher risk of developing contact dermatitis include housewives, healthcare providers, janitors, plumbers, mechanics, construction workers, and hairstylists, as they tend to be exposed to irritating chemicals or allergens repeatedly more than others.

【 Symptoms 】

• Red to purple rash
• Swollen, hive like rash
• Oozing fluid or pus
• Flaky or scaling skin
• Itchiness

｜Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema, which happen only on the hands and feet, usually begin with a rash of painful, deep-seated blisters called vesicles, or may sometimes begin with itching and burning sensations. As the blisters heal, the skin dries and often reddens, peels, or cracks.

【 Symptoms 】

• Small, firm, painful blisters on the sides on the hands and feet
• Itching and burning sensations on the hands and feet that turn into blisters
• Itchy, scale skin on or around the blisters
• Increased sweat around the blisters
• Dry, red, cracked skin that appears as the blisters heal

｜Neurodermatitis

Most common in female adults between 30 and 50 years of age, neurodermatitis is a type of eczema that involves extreme itching but usually confined to only one or two patches of skin, and not widespread like atopic dermatitis. The underlying cause of it is unknown, but it has been observed that the itch tend to start during times of extreme stress, anxiety, emotional trauma or depression, and those with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders tend to be more likely develop neurodermatitis.

【 Symptoms 】

• Dryness
• Thick, scaly, leathery patch of skin
• May be reddish, brownish, yellowish, gray or purple in color, while older patches can appear white or pale in the center, surrounded by darker colors

｜Nummular Eczema

Nummular eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes circular, raised, itchy spots on the skin. Patches can last for weeks to months, and flare-ups can repeatedly happen, as there is no cure. While it can affect anyone, it is most common among men between the ages of 50 to 65, and females between the age of 15 to 25.

【 Symptoms 】

• Tiny bumps or blisters usually on the arms, legs, hands or torso
• The bumps or blisters may join together into a coin-like shape
• Often leak clear fluid
• May become crusty on top
• Itchy with burning or stinging sensations

｜Seborrheic Dermatitis

Most often in infants younger than three months old and in adults ages 30 to 60, seborrheic dermatitis, also a type of eczema, appears on the body where there are a lot of oil-producing (sebaceous) glands like the upper back, nose and scalp. Those born with naturally oily skin and people with certain diseases tend to get this type of eczema more easily.

【 Symptoms 】

• Itchy white flakes of skin on your scalp (dandruff)
• Red scales on the skin
• Crusty yellow scales on infants’ heads (cradle cap). Cradle cap shouldn’t itch, but scratching may cause additional inflammation in the area and break the skin, leading to bleeding or mild infections.
• Blepharitis (scaly redness on the edges of your eyelids)
• Pinkish plaques (thick skin) of scales on both sides of your face
• Flaky patches on the chest and at the hairline that are shaped like a flower petal or a ring
• Redness in the folds and creases of areas such as armpits
• Inflamed hair follicles on the cheeks

Triggers of Eczema

Many things can trigger an eczema flare up, and can be very individual-specific, Some common triggers include:

• Dry and cold weather
• Heat and sun exposure
• Low and very high humidity
• Irritants like soaps, detergents, fabrics, clothing material, cement, nickel, cobalt, chromium, rubbing alcohol, and chemicals
• Common allergens such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, pollutants, insect bites, and hay fever
• Certain bacteria, viruses, fungi, or yeast such as Malassezia
• Medications, such as antibiotics
• Emotional stress or high levels of anxiety
• Repeated rubbing of the skin, hot water, over-cleansing, sweat, prolonged contact with water
• Improper skincare practices
• Hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women, such as during pregnancy or menstrual cycles
• Certain skincare or hair care ingredients
• Inflammatory foods, including dairy products, gluten, sugar, eggs, soy, alcohol, caffeine, and nightshades such as tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, etc. For details, read: How Different Foods Negatively Afffect the Skin and How Different Foods Negatively Afffect the Skin - Part 2.

Self-Care Treatment Tips for Eczema

Besides contact dermatitis, almost all types of eczema are chronic. Understanding how to properly care for skin that is eczema-prone via a comprehensive approach, including stress management, daily diet, daily lifestyle habits, skincare, and nutritional supplements, is therefore crucial for effectively relieving existing symptoms and reducing the chances of future flare-ups.

｜Stress Management

We understand that eczema is stressful and can take a toll in one’s emotional well-being, but being stressed about it won’t help, and can actually exacerbate eczema symptoms through various mechanisms.

Firstly, stress triggers the release of pro-inflammatory substances in the body, which can worsen the existing inflammation in eczema-prone skin. This can lead to increased redness, itching, and swelling.

Secondly, stress can intensify the itching sensation experienced with eczema. The more you scratch, the more you damage the skin's protective barrier, making it more susceptible to irritants and allergens. This can lead to a cycle of itching and scratching that further aggravates the condition.

Thirdly, stress can actually compromise the skin's natural barrier function, causing it to become more permeable and lose moisture. This makes the skin more prone to dryness, irritation, and allergen penetration, exacerbating eczema symptoms.

Fourthly, stress can disrupt the normal functioning of the immune system, making it hypersensitive and more reactive to triggers that can induce eczema flare-ups. This heightened immune response can lead to increased inflammation and skin irritation.

Last but not least, stress triggers the release of cortisol, often referred to as the stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels not only worsen inflammation, but can affect the skin's ability to retain moisture and impair its healing process, making eczema symptoms more persistent.

An important and a must step for dealing with eczema is accepting it and learning to live with it, while managing the stress the comes with it, otherwise the stress would only make things worse.

｜Diet

The number one key for improving eczema, is to improve gut health and reduce inflammation throughout the body by watching what you eat and drink, so as to avoid triggering a reaction on the skin. The types of food that are best avoided include dairy, gluten, sugar, eggs, nightshades, soy, alcohol, and caffeine, as they cause inflammation and can trigger and worsen eczema symptoms.

You can read more about them here: How Different Foods Negatively Affect the Skin and How Different Foods Negative Affect the Skin - Part 2 .

Some other foods that can be problematic for people with eczema include nuts like peanuts, walnuts and almonds, seeds like sesame and flaxseeds, citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and limes, and foods with high levels of histamine, such as fermented foods (kimchi, kombucha, yogurt), vinegar, and processed meats.

Remember, it takes more than a week or 2 to get everything out of the system, and symptoms WILL reoccur if you start eating all those cake and pizza again, so consistency is the key here.

｜Gut Health

The skin is a great barometer of what is going on inside the body. More and more studies are showing that where there is gut inflammation, there will be skin inflammation. In fact, people with eczema are very likely to have gut issues, and 34% of those with irritable bowel syndrome also have various skin conditions.

But how does the gut get inflamed?

Our digestive system has outer walls that act as barriers to the rest of the body - keeping certain toxins, harmful substances, food particles and other substances out of the bloodstream and away from the rest of the body. The problem is, these walls are very thin, and when we ingest certain foods that our bodies do not respond to well, these cell membranes can become ruptured, broken, and damaged, gaps begin to appear in the digestive wall, and substances from within the digestive system start to migrate into the body. Since they are not meant to be there, the body then treats them as foreign invaders and turns on an inflammatory response, which then manifests into inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, acne, rashes, redness, rosacea, and psoriasis.

Collagen is a key player in building and maintaining connective tissues all over the body, including all of the connective tissue that makes up the entire digestive system. By ingesting collagen supplements, the amino acids can help digestive system restore damaged cells, and close these gaps within the damaged gut lining. They can also strengthen the tract and increase the elasticity of the junctures and cells, which means that the area can be more flexible to movement and substances that come into contact with it, thereby reducing the chance of damage. When the gut is strengthened, the body will less likely turn its inflammatory response into overdrive, and thus less skin inflammatory issues.

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On the other hand, studies have found that eczema sufferers, especially those with atopic dermatitis, may have a less diverse gut microbiome than people who don't have eczema. Therefore, try to take a full-spectrum probiotic with eight to ten strains of bacteria every morning or before sleep on an empty stomach.

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｜Avoid Prolonged Contact with Water, Especially Hot Water, and Keep Wounds Away from Water

When you take a bath or swim for too long, your skin becomes wrinkly and extremely soft, and sometimes even itchy. This phenomenon is called "skin maceration”.

Skin maceration happens as the stratum corneum becomes saturated with water, and the corneocytes start to swell. Not only will the skin gets wrinkly, it will also become brittle as the intercellular lamellar structure that controls barrier function becomes unstable, and the corneodesmosome degrades. When the barrier function weakens, trans-epidermal water loss accelerates, leading to more dehydrated skin that is dry, tight and itchy; whilst the risk of penetration of bacteria and irritants gets higher at the same time as the damaged barrier can no longer block out them out, resulting in "moisture-associated skin damage", such as sensitivity and even inflammations and infections.

This is especially problematic for eczema-prone skin, as the skin is broken and thus prolonged contact with water can exacerbate existing inflammatory conditions, including redness, swelling, itchiness, scaling and flaky and cracked skin.

Therefore, it is very important to avoid prolonged contact with water, including bathing, swimming, long showers, dishwashing, use of sheet masks, etc. Make sure to shower and wash your face as fast as you can, and with water as cold as you can take.

If there are wounds on the skin due to eczema, it is recommended to protect them during showering or washing the face, to prevent the wounds from getting wet. This can help avoid increased redness, inflammation, and even wound infection. Instead, clean the wounds with saline solution two to three times a day to ensure cleanliness of the affected area.

Additionally, hot water should also be avoided, as not only will hot water dry out the skin and further damage eczema-prone skin’s already fragile skin barrier, it can also exacerbate inflammations.

｜Avoid Self-Application of Wet Wrap Therapy

Many people choose to self-apply wet wraps at home to alleviate itching. Indeed, theoratically, wet wrap therapy has four benefits: firstly, it reduces the vicious cycle of scratching and itching; secondly, it lowers the skin surface temperature to reduce the release of inflammatory substances and thereby alleviates itching; thirdlu, it increases skin hydration; fourthly, it enhances the absorption of ointments.

However, in many cases, wet wrap therapy can have side effects.

Firstly, there is the aforementioned "moisture-associated skin damage". When the stratum corneum is continuously soaked with wet wraps or similar, the skin barrier function can become compromised, which can lead to increased dehydration, dryness, tightness, and itching of the skin. At the same time, the compromised barrier would also no tbe able to protect against bacteria, irritants, and allergens, resulting in additional inflammations. In other words, wet wrap therapy is a temporary solution, and when discontinued, symptoms may become worse.

Secondly, wet wrap therapy is absolutely contraindicated when there are oozing, pus, or bleeding wounds. Applying wet wraps in such cases can worsen the infection and increase the risk of complications such as folliculitis and pustular eczema.

Therefore, wet wrap therapy should only be performed after careful evaluation and guidance from a doctor, and even then, it should not be continued for more than one week.

There are safer alternatives to alleviate itching and discomfort, which we will discuss in detail in the following sections.

｜Stop Using Corticosteroids, and Use Skincare Products with Live Probiotic Cultures

Like the intestines, the skin also requires a balance of "good bacteria" and "bad bacteria." When the species and quantities of good and bad bacteria on the skin are balanced, this microbiome forms the first line of defense for the body against environmental irritants, toxic substances, and harmful organisms, while directly influencing immune responses.

As mentioned above, studies have shown that the skin of eczema patients predominantly lacks the good bacteria that help prevent inflammation, while different types of bad bacteria overgrow, which compromises the skin's immune function. As a result, the skin becomes unable to defend against harmful substances and organisms, ultimately leading to inflammation.

The reason why corticosteroids are often described as causing dependency is also related to this. Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory effects, but unfortunately, they kill both the bad and good bacteria, thus prolonged use of these creams for more than two to three weeks will disrupt the skin's microbiome and further compromise the immune defense, leading to more bacterial or fungal infections. This is why eczema symptoms initially improve with the use of corticosteroids, but once discontinued, they often recur and may even become more severe than before.

In contrast to corticosteroids, live probiotic cultures not only possess potent anti-inflammatory effects but also help improve and strengthen the skin's natural protective mechanisms, as they help maintain the delicate balance of microorganisms on the skin, while facilitating the repair and reinforcement of the skin's immune defenses.

Topical live probiotic cultures work by secreting anti-bacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory substances that penetrate bad bacteria and kill them before they trigger an inflammation. They also provide a protective shield to keep bad bacteria from reaching skin cells, as well as calm parts of the skin cells that want to react to the bad bacteria, thus stopping them from sending an “attack” message to the skin’s immune system that leads to redness, swelling, patchy skin, or acne-like bumps.

This is why live probiotic cultures are excellent for skin with eczema, as well as issues such as rosacea, psoriasis, and acne.

Now, treating inflammations is not the only skincare benefit live probiotic cultures can provide.

For example, live probiotic cultures use different mechanisms, such as by lowering pH, to preserve skin health and to inhibit the growth of pathogens——an acidic skin environment is very important as it discourages bacterial colonization and provides a moisture barrier.

Studies have also demonstrated that used on wounds, live probiotic cultures can exert an immunomodulatory effect by inducing “wound healing-promoting substances”, such as cytokines and growth factors, and produce certain bacteriocins that can sustain a wound-healing process. This is important for eczema-prone skin, as for most sufferers, their skin is broken one way or another with cracks and sometimes even bleeding.

There are also studies that have shown probiotics to significantly enhance skin elasticity by increasing self hyaluronic acid and collagen production, as well as reinforce the barrier function, and increase ceramide levels.

Note that only products that explicitly specify to contain "live probiotic cultures" have real, living probiotics that can provide the activities and benefits mentioned above. All other products that claim to contain probiotics often comprise ingredients such as fermented ingredients like Lactobacillus ferment, meaning they do not actually contain living bacteria, and therefore are not technically probiotics, and thus cannot provide the same benefits mentioned above. Also, even if a formula claim to contain live cultures, moisture, as in a water-based formula, can be threatening to the well-being and effectiveness of these little guys. In addition, some preservatives, natural or otherwise, would render any probiotic cultures inert and therefore useless, unless the preservative systems are crafted to address “bad” bacteria without harming the “good”. For more information, read: Everything About The Microbiome & Probiotics For The Skin .

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｜Strenghten Skin with Skincare Products that Contain Prebiotics

The skin surface harbors various microorganisms, including bacteria——there are approximately one billion bacteria living on every square centimeter of skin! When the species and quantities of these "good bacteria" and "bad bacteria" are in balance, it forms the first line of defense for the body against irritating, toxic substances, and harmful organisms in the environment, directly influencing out immune responses.

Therefore, besides live probiotic cultures, eczema skin can also benefit from skincare products with prebiotics. Just like you need to eat to stay healthy and strong, the good bacteria also need to eat to thrive. In short, prebiotics are food for these good bacteria. Ingredients such as baobab, stevia, oat, dandelion and various berries are all prebiotics; and because they aren’t living organisms, they won’t be harmed by preservatives or anti-bacterial / anti-microbial agents.

Not all products would highlight this specific aspect in their product descriptions, but know that these ingredients do support the microbiome’s health, and thus are beneficial to have in your skincare routine

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｜Avoid Using Foaming, Harsh Facial and Body Cleansers

Harsh facial and body cleansers, such as those foaming ones, contain multiple irritating and drying ingredients (such as surfactants) that can strip away the skin's natural oils. This damages the skin's natural lipid barrier. In the case of eczema-prone skin, which already has a fragile skin barrier, these foaming cleansers can further disrupt the skin barrier, which leaves the skin vulnerable to bacterial attacks and irritating substances, thereby triggering and exacerbating eczema symptoms.

Therefore, it is important to use gentle, non-foaming cleansers in the morning and evening, and avoid those that contain sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. In terms of textures, as long as they are non-foaming, cream, lotion, or gel texture are all suitable.

In fact, for those who tend to get eczema around the mouth and chin, it is best to also avoid toothpaste containing SLS or SLES, as they can also trigger and exacerbate eczema symptoms.

Another thing to ditch is bar soap. Our skin's barrier is slightly acidic with a pH between 4.5 and 6.2, and the skin is most happy when its pH is at around 4.7. Now, bar soap generally has a pH range of 8.0 to 10.0. When you use soap, the alkalinity can disrupt and damage the skin barrier. What this means is that, same as SLS and SLES, using soap can strip the skin of its important oils, deteriorate the skin's natural water retention and defence function, resulting in dry, itchy, and inflamed skin, as well as worsened eczema symptoms and flare ups.

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｜Use Distilled Water or At Least a Water Filter

We just talked about how the alkaline pH of soap disrupt the skin barrier. According to official data, the pH of water in Hong Kong is between 8.2 and 8.8, meaning it is alkaline and is not so great for the skin for the reason mentioned above, as in it could damage the skin barrier, and lead to dryness, itchiness, acne, inflammations, and eczema flare ups.

On the other hand, while the water in Hong Kong is typically considered “soft water”, which is better for eczema-prone skin compared to “hard water”, there is no way to tell how many impurities that can trigger your eczema are mixed in with the water from the reservoir through the pipes to your tap.

Thus, if you are suffering with eczema on the face, you may want to consider washing your face with distilled water, which has a pH of 5.8 to 6.7 and void of impurities, so that you are not actively disrupting your already compromised skin barrier twice daily. As for eczema on the body, it is obviously unrealistic to use distilled water, so try to use a water filter to minimize the amount of impurities and environmental pollutants touching your skin on a daily basis.

｜Gently Exfoliate, But Avoid Scrubs

Contrary to popular belief, just because you have eczema doesn’t mean you don’t need some gentle exfoliation. By exfoliating the right way, for instance, using the gentle and hydrating Lactic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, or Gluconolactone, you can remove dead, unhealthy skin cells that are damaged, inflamed, and causing itchiness, flakiness and roughness, increase skin turnover so healthy skin underneath can reveal itself, and also help other topical treatments penetrate the skin better.

Lactic Acid, which is derived from milk, is a gentle, hydrating AHA that is naturally found in our body. It is rather unusual in the sense that it is also one of the main substance of the epidermis’ Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF). This means although it gently exfoliates, it also improves the skin’s NMF, as well as enhances ceramides production in the epidermis, so the skin is more hydrated, and can better lock in moisture, which is beneficial for eczema patients.

Lactobionic acid is a PHA derived from sugar that has similar effects to AHAs, such as exfoliation, fading pigmentation, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, improving enlarged pores and smoothing skin texture. Although less potent than AHAs, they are gentle enough for even sensitive skin, as it doesn't need to be used at a low pH. In addition, besides also being a humectant that attracts water to the skin, it has been shown to act as a potent antioxidant as well that targets naturally-occurring, skin degrading enzymes to help maintain a youthful look.

Gluconolactone is a type of PHA that naturally occurs in fruit, honey, and wine. Not only is it a gentle exfoliating acid, it is also a hydrator thanks to its ability in attracting water to the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive skin. Better yet, Gluconolactone has healing and antimicrobial properties, and therefore is often recommended for healing broken skin, including those that have eczema.

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｜Stay Cool, Avoid Sweating, and Drink Enough Water

Sweating is one of the biggest enemy for eczema-prone skin in the summer. This is because sweat contains various salts that can be irritating to eczema's broken skin. Additionally, sweat also contains zinc, copper, iron, nickel, cadmium, lead, manganese, sodium, and chloride, and when these build up, irritation can result. For instance, you may notice eczema worsens in areas where moisture gets trapped, such as the back of the neck, the inside of the elbows, the backs of the knees, or even around your underarms.

Therefore, minimizing sweating is important for eczema-prone skin. For instance, try to stay indoor and in an air-conditioned environment when the temperatures increases, while wearing loose-fitted clothes to avoid sweat getting trapped. Also, make sure to drink a lot of water to keep your body at a normal, steady temperature. And when you do end up sweating, take a cool shower as soon as possible.

｜Strengthen the Skin Barrier with Face and Body Oils, Not Moisturizers

The skin barrier of eczema-prone skin is extremely fragile, so one of the key focuses in caring for eczema is to protect, repair, and strengthen this crucial barrier, as not only does it help to lock in moisture but also prevents bacteria, irritants, and allergens from coming into contact with the skin, thereby reducing and improving various eczema symptoms.

Let's use a reservoir as an analogy. If the water in the skin is like the water in the reservoir, and the skin barrier is the dam of the reservoir, then sebum and lipids are the cement and building materials of the dam. If a damaged dam with gaps is not repaired with cement and building materials, even if water keeps getting poured into the reservoir, it will continue to flow out. Insects, animals, and pollutants will also continue to invade the reservoir.

As the outermost layer of the skin is made up of lipids including ceramide, cholesterol and fatty acids, this means that using face oils and body oils to repair and strengthen the skin barrier, which helps the skin to maintain moisture and block out unnecessary bacteria, irritants, and pollutants, is an essential skincare step for all skin types, especially for eczema-prone skin.

In fact, besides lipids, face oils and body oils contain over a hundred types of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and many other phytonutrients, while some of which are also rich in anti-inflammatory and anti-aging substances. This means that not only do they moisturize the skin and strengthen the skin barrier but also help to improve multiple symptoms of eczema at once by enhancing the skin's own defense against free radicals, speeding up wound healing, reducing inflammation, stimulating collagen production, and slowing down skin aging.

To learn more about the benefits of face oils for all skin types, as well as the best ways to use them, visit: Why Your Skin Needs Oil Just As Much As Water .

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｜Heavy Moisturizers Cannot Truly Treat Eczema and May Exacerbate Existing Conditions

Ultra nourishing moisturizers or body creams consist of occlusives such as lanolin, shea butter, beeswax and mineral oil to help lock in moisture. Indeed, when initially used, they can provide a soothing sensation and reduce itchiness. However, since they only provide a small amount of water and oil to the skin and cannot repair the skin barrier, their effects are only temporary.

Furthermore, while the occlusive ingredients in these products prevent moisture loss, they can also disrupt the skin's natural renewal cycle by trapping aged, damaged, inflamed, and unhealthy skin cells on the skin's surface, instead of letting them shed naturally, while healthy new cells are unable to move up from the deeper layers to the surface, leading to persisting inflammation.

This thick layer of accumulated aged cells can also trap bacteria and dirt within the skin, creating an oxygen-free environment that bacteria loves, while killing off the good bacteria that help maintain skin health. In other words, these products cannot truly address the underlying problems but also have a high chance of prolonging and worsening eczema's inflammatory conditions.

Face and body oils, on the other hand, do not pose the same problems.

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｜DO NOT SCRATCH! Do These Instead

It is hard to not scratch or rub when it itches, but the more you scratch, the worse your eczema will get. In fact, some people scratch so much that they bleed, which lead to more serious infection with pus and fluids coming out of wounds that won't heal up.

Instead of scratching, do these instead:

• Grab an ice pack or wrap an ice cube or two with a towel, and put it on where it itches. Not only will the cold help to numb the area, which will help ease the itchiness, it will also help alleviate redness and bring down inflammation. This is in a way similar to wet wrap therapy, but without its side effects. Do this for 10 minutes and give the skin a rest first before repeating.
• Don't wait till it starts itching to put on a face or body oil. Make it a habit to use it at least a few times a day. Not only will it help nourish the dry skin thereby reducing itchiness temporarily, it will also help bring down the inflammation that leads to itching, as well as repair the skin barrier, which in the long-term can truly reduce said symptoms.
• At night before sleep, put on some face or body oil, then fix a thick piece of gauze pad on top of it. THis helps to avoid scratching the area unconsciously when you sleep, while minimizing water loss. In a way, it is similar to wet wrap therapy, but without its side effects.
• Taking an antihistamine can also help to control itching, especially at night if the itchiness is causing sleeplessness, which then leads to stress and worsening eczema symptoms.
• Keep your nails short and clean at all times, so even if you scratch unconsciously or uncontrollably, there would at least be less damage done.

｜Choose Products with Anti-Pollution and Antioxidant Properties

While the concept of an anti-pollution skincare product may be hard to grasp, the truth is, eczema skin is often triggered by environmental pollutants in the air. These free radicals attack healthy skin cells, and cause trauma that leads to redness, sensitivity, swelling and even worsening inflammation.

It is therefore recommended to use anti-pollution and antioxidant products that can fight and neutralize free radicals, whilst forming a breathable barrier on the skin surface to physically block out environmental pollutants that can irritate eczema skin.

Product Recommendation
KLUR
Symmetry Fluid Skin Supplement Concentrate  <- Click to Shop

Product Recommendation
TWELVE BEAUTY
The London Mask™ <- Click to Shop

Product Recommendation
Agent Nateur
body(balm) Lifting & Firming Body Treatment Crème  <- Click to shop 

｜Must Use Sunscreen Daily Both Outdoor and Indoor

UV rays can trigger and exacerbate eczema symptoms, including inflammatory reactions. Whether it's sunny, cloudy, or rainy, and whether you are outdoor or indoor, UV rays are present everywhere. Therefore, it is necessary to use sunscreen daily for eczema-prone skin. Among sunscreens, mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide are particularly recommended.

In addition, using mineral sunscreen not only helps to block UV rays but also provides a physical barrier to prevent allergens from contacting the skin, thereby reducing chances of triggering eczema symptoms, which is obviously beneficial for eczema-prone skin.

Product Recommendation
AGENT NATEUR
holi(soleil) SPF50 Ageless Firming & Plumping Sunscreen  <- Click to Shop

Product Recommendation
AGENT NATEUR
holi(sun) SPF50 Tinted Sunscreen  <- Click to Shop

Product Recommendation
TWELVE BEAUTY
Artemisia Power Protection Moisturiser SPF50+  <- Click to Shop

｜Choose Products Wisely

Ingredients like Squalane, Aloe Vera, Beta-Glucan, Niacinamide, Licorice Root, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Gotu Kola, Chamomile, Calendula, Blue Tansy, Helichrysum, as well as many oils are perfect for eczema , as they contain anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can help ease redness and sensitivities whilst hydrating the skin. Find out more details on these ingredients by clicking the highlighted ingredients.

On the other hand, do avoid artificial fragrance, because international law does not require companies to list on product labels any of the chemicals in the umbrella term of ’fragrance’, as it is considered proprietary. While some ingredients are harmless, some can be strong allergens that may cause skin irritation and sensitivities. Drying alcohol is another substance that should be avoided (learn how to distinguish between drying alcohol and skin-benefiting alcohol here).

Last but certainly not least, remember that only products in powder form or are anhydrous do not need to be preserved. Products that contain any form of water, such as water itself, aloe vera juice, honey, and flower water / hydrosol, yet claim to contain no preservatives or anti-bacterial / antimicrobial ingredients are basically ignoring your skin health and must be avoided. All water-based products (yes, honey is considered water-based too) MUST be preserved, otherwise bacteria, fungi and microbes will grow, and you will literally be smearing all those nasties onto your face.

｜Take Appropriate Supplements

Eczema is a type of chronic inflammation, and as the largest organ of the body, the presence of chronic inflammation in the body naturally reflects on the skin, which causes eczema symptoms to exacerbate. Therefore, in addition to using appropriate topical skincare products, reducing inflammation from within is an important aspect of treating eczema.

Besides taking out above-mentioned inflammatory foods, including dairy products, gluten, sugar, eggs, soy, alcohol, caffeine, and nightshades such as tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, etc., from your diet, eczema patients should also take different supplements to minimize inflammations in a multi-angle approach:

• Liver Supporting Supplements
  
  Liver is one of the largest and most important organs in the body. In addition to storing and releasing energy from foods, it also regulates sugar metabolism, and acts as the body’s natural filter by removing toxins and wastes from the blood and the whole body system. However, even though the liver can regenerate its own damaged cells, when it lacks essential nutrients, or when it is overwhelmed by toxins from certain food, alcohol, smoking, medication, etc., it can no longer function as it should. As toxins and fat accumulate in the liver, they can get into the blood stream, and trigger eczema and exacerbate its symptoms.

 Product Recommendation
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Liver Rescue  <- Click to Shop

• Supplements that Help Remove Intestinal Parasites
  
  Parasitic infections are quite common, with studies estimating that about 80% of adults and children have intestinal parasites. Parasites can enter the human body through various pathways, including food and water sources, insect bites, contact transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. Once parasites enter the body, they grow, reproduce, and cause corresponding infections or diseases in the host. Some parasites can affect the intestines and immune response, leading to acne.
  
  Therefore, just as pets need regular deworming, it is also important to periodically remove intestinal parasites from oneself as part of improving acne.

Product Recommendation
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Para-Purge  <- Click to Shop

• Algaes for Balancing pH and Removing Heavy Metals and Other Toxins like Pesticides
  
  The skin is healthiest when it maintains a slightly acidic pH of 4.7 on its surface. However, the internal body needs to be in an alkaline state to function properly. When the body's acidity level becomes too high, not only does it lead to skin inflammations like eczema, but also increases the risk of heart disease, autoimmune disorders, chronic pain, and other chronic illnesses. It can also result in the depletion of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium from the bones and organs!
  
  On the other hand, when heavy metals from environmental pollution, food, and medications accumulate in the body, they gradually disrupt the functions of the skin and can lead to various chronic inflammations.
  
  Algaes contain a wide variety of nutrients, including iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, tyrosine, zinc, copper, phosphorous, iodine, polysaccharides, beta-glucans, essential amino acids, fatty acids, carotenoids, phycocyanins, chlorophyll, vitamin A, vitamin C, and various B vitamins, etc., as well as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and heavy metal chelating properties. Thus, not only do they relieve symptoms like itching, redness, swelling and irritation, they also help reduce inflammations and strengthen the immune system, thereby minimizing the chance of eczema flare ups.

Product Recommendation
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Evolve  <- Click to Shop

• Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidizing and Nourishing Krill Oil
  
  The health of every cell, organ, including the skin, immune system, and endocrine system in the human body, relies on omega-3 and its rich sources of ALA, EPA, and DHA. While fish oil also contains omega-3, the cell membranes in the human body are composed of phospholipids. Therefore, the phospholipid form of omega-3 in krill oil is more easily absorbed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream and utilized by the body, compared to fish oil, which primarily contains omega-3 in the form of triglycerides. In other words, krill oil has higher absorption rates and bioavailability compared to fish oil
  
  Furthermore, krill oil contains the super antioxidant "king of carotenoids" Astaxanthin, which can cross the blood-brain barrier with antioxidant capabilities 6,000 times higher than vitamin C. Krill oil also contains other antioxidants, as well as significant amounts of vitamin A and E, making it superior to fish oil.
  
  At the same time, krill oil is particularly beneficial for eczema. Firstly, it can significantly reduce inflammation levels in the blood and proteins that cause inflammation. The rich content of astaxanthin in krill oil also helps the body and skin counteract inflammatory free radicals. When there is less inflammation in the body, the frequency of eczema flare-ups naturally decreases. Secondly, when the liver produces excessive levels of the hormone IGF-1, it can lead to increased skin inflammation. Krill oil helps regulate these hormones and prevents them from causing further inflammation. Thirdly, krill oil aids in the production of eicosanoids, which can regulate inflammatory responses and restore hormone balance, thereby improving eczema issues caused by hormonal fluctuations.

 Product Recommendation
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Ocean EFA  <- Click to Shop

• Restorative and Anti-Inflammatory MSM
  
  MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), also known as organic sulfur, is a naturally occurring sulfur found in all living organisms and is the third most abundant substance in the human body. It plays a crucial role in various functions of the body, including supporting normal cell structure, immune system health, reversing cellular damage caused by free radicals, and repairing connective tissues.
  
  Clinical studies have confirmed that MSM can reduce inflammation by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing inflammatory reactions. This, in turn, helps reduce signs of aging such as skin cell damage and wrinkles, as well as skin inflammatory conditions like eczema. Additionally, research has shown that MSM effectively supports the health of connective tissues, which helps improve fragile skin and prevents skin from becoming brittle. This can help alleviate eczema symptoms and reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

• Hydrating, Barrier-Maintaining Ceramides
  
  Ceramides are a type of lipid that are naturally found in the skin's stratum corneum. They play a crucial role in maintaining the skin's barrier function by filling in the gaps between skin cells, creating a strong and protective barrier that prevents moisture loss loss and blocks out irritants, bacteria and toxins to help maintain healthy, supple skin. Unfortunately, the level of ceramides in the skin naturally decreases as we age, which can then lead to dryness, tightness, wrinkles. Skin with a disrupted skin barrier is also more prone to eczema, sensitivity, redness, and inflammations.
  
  Intake of ceramides can help replenish the body with new ceramides, which permeate the bloodstream, go to the skin, and restore the fragile skin barrier of eczema-prone skin by filling in the crevices that deplete hydration and plumpness, while improving the skin's water-retention function and overall skin helath, thereby improving eczema symptoms and reducing the frequency of flare-ups.

Product Recommendation
AGENT NATEUR
holi(radiance) OptiMSM® + CERAMOSIDES™  <- Click to Shop

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