What Causes Eczema Flare-Ups?

Eczema has a way of making you feel like your own skin is working against you. It flares up, settles down, stays quiet for a while and then suddenly comes back with no clear warning. Naturally this gets frustrating especially when you’ve been careful with your routine and still end up trying to figure out what went wrong.

The tricky part is that eczema triggers are not always obvious. They can be different for everyone, and sometimes they show up in ways you would not expect. Dry air, stress, fabrics, soaps, heat, sweat and even scratching can all play a role. While we may not always know the exact reason behind every flare-up, understanding the most common triggers can make the whole cycle feel a little easier to manage.

A gentle way to care for eczema at home is with H-Eczema Formula. A  homeopathic medicine intended for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with eczema.

Why Does Eczema Keep Coming Back

You’ve followed your carefully curated routine, avoided all of the usual suspects and everything was going fine. Until a flareup appeared with no warning. To wrap our heads around the flare ups we need to understand the basis of what it actually is.

On skin without eczema, the skin is able to seal in moisture while being able to block out irritants. Eczema is associated with a weakened skin barrier. This allows moisture to escape more easily and irritants to penetrate the skin, which can contribute to flare-ups.

Avoiding known triggers can help, although it may not prevent every flare-up. Another interesting thing about triggers is that they’re individual. It almost makes you feel special in a weird way. You might have strategically avoided using that body wash that smells divine, but eczema chose to use a different weapon, dry air. It's hard to win a game when you don’t even know you’re playing.

Why Can’t I Stop Scratching My Eczema?

Don’t scratch that itch. We know we shouldn’t. But once we start, we can’t stop until we get enough. The vicious itch-scratch cycle begins. Does it bring relief? Yes, but at what cost? Now inflammation comes back angrier than ever. It’s hard to stop when scratching is such a habitual and subconscious response to an itch. Eczema really got us there.

Let's look at what happens when we scratch:

• Once we start, the skin releases inflammation molecules, making the itch even more intense than before
• Scratching can create open cracks in the skin wounding the skin barrier, making it easier for irritants to enter
• The skin may start to thicken if its repeatedly scratched making it grow back rougher and leathery

How do we help this cycle?

Here are a few things you can try when that itch comes, and it will:

• Apply a cold press to the area, either a wet cloth or ice cube, do this for about ten minutes
• Keep your hands distracted. When the urge comes to itch grab a stress ball or do something else with your hands
• Have a lukewarm bath followed immediately by moisturizer.

The advice on how to help seems below average and a bit mundane. Grabbing a stress ball feels like bringing a butter knife to a sword fight, but it could work. It’s not easy to not scratch an itch but with will power and determination, we can try. Maybe just for today it's you - 1 and eczema - 0. You’ve got this.

Why Is Eczema Worse At Night?

Is it really that surprising that things feel a bit more… exaggerated at night? Once the sun goes down we zone into ourselves. Now there's more time to think, look and ponder on things like our eczema.

• Body temperature naturally changes overnight, and becoming warm or sweating under bedding may trigger itching in some people.
• Our skin loses moisture at night, this is a normal thing. With eczema prone skin this leaves the skin feeling incredibly dry and sensitive.
• At night there are much less distractions and this can make us focus more on the symptoms of eczema than in the day.

Being in the comfort of your own home snuggled up in blankets seems like the ultimate betrayal when it comes to eczema.

Does Stress Really Cause Eczema Flare-Ups?

We get advice like ‘just relax and it will go away’. While not ill advised, it’s not that simple. When it comes to stress and eczema. Stress isn’t a cause but it's considered a trigger. The difference between a cause and a trigger is:

• A cause is how it's created, with eczema it's a combination of genetics and the immune system.
• A trigger is either an external or internal factor that sets off a reaction.

How does stress do this? Stress releases something called cortisol and when there is too much cortisol - the body basically gets flooded with stress hormones. This spike in cortisol can prompt the immune system to react, which may contribute to a flare-up.

While it's not a cause, it's triggering for sure. It creates a cycle just like scratching. Telling your body to just relax won't cut it. Stress needs to be managed daily to be able to knock it off your list of common triggers. It doesn’t just go away.

An At-Home Option For Eczema Prone Skin

At this point we’ve come to realize that we can’t narrow down exactly what’s triggering us and when - from our blankets working against us to that strongly worded email that spiked our cortisol. We do have something that's on our side.

H-Eczema Formula is a homeopathic medicine intended for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with eczema. It’s made for adults and children over the age of 2. It’s a gentle product that is easily added into any daily skincare routine.

Made for the moments where everything feels like it's working against you.

When To See A Doctor

Eczema is usually itchy and slightly painful but if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms it is advised that you speak to a medical professional:

• It is showing any signs of infection such as oozing, pus or you have a fever
• The skin feels warm and swollen
• The itching and pain is starting to get in the way of daily activities and sleeping
• The rash is rapidly spreading or covering a large area

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eczema caused by a weakened immune system?

The exact cause of eczema isn't fully understood. It is thought to involve a combination of genetics, immune system dysfunction and changes to the skin barrier.

Why does eczema feel different from regular skin?

Normal skin will seal in moisture whereas skin with eczema has a weakened skin barrier and cannot seal in moisture like normal skin. People with eczema often have a weakened skin barrier, making it harder to retain moisture and protect against irritants.

Can eczema flares happen without any obvious trigger?

Triggers are not always as obvious as we’d assume they are. A trigger could be dry air, fabric, soap, or even something you use everyday that one day could suddenly not agree with your skin anymore. Emotional triggers are also a possibility. Eczema is unpredictable, making pin pointing the exact trigger challenging.

Does scratching eczema at night cause more damage than during the day?

Repeated scratching—whether during the day or at night—can damage the skin barrier and worsen inflammation. Because people may scratch for longer without realizing it while sleeping, nighttime scratching can sometimes lead to more skin damage.888

Is H-Eczema Formula suitable for sensitive, eczema-prone skin?

H-Eczema Formula is made for use on skin that is prone to eczema and is generally well suited to most skin types. A patch test is recommended before broader application, particularly for those with sensitive skin.

How often should I apply H-Eczema Formula?

H-Eczema Formula can be applied 3 times a day. H-Eczema Formula can be incorporated into a daily routine, read the product label for instructions.

Sources

1. Healthline. Tips for Sleeping Better When Living With Severe Eczema.
2. Medical & Surgical Dermatology. Why Is Eczema Itching Worse at Night When You Are Trying to Sleep?
3. Cleveland Clinic. Eczema and Stress: What’s the Connection?
4. Cleveland Clinic. Eczema

Note: H-Eczema Formula is a homeopathic medicine. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, worsen, become severe, or signs of infection develop, discontinue and consult a healthcare professional.