Eczema Prone Skin

Eczema and dermatitis are both skin conditions that cause inflammation. Technically, dermatitis is a type of eczema, which is why people often use the terms interchangeably. Both eczema and dermatitis can cause itchy, flaky and irritated skin. Other symptoms to look out for include recurring rash, skin weeping a watery fluid, lesions that could be infected, and rough ‘leathery’ looking skin. These symptoms are usually caused when your skin is irritated, or if you have a family history of eczema.

Here are some causes of eczema: family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever (the strongest predictor!); food and alcohol allergies (like dairy, eggs, nuts, seafood, preservatives); and stress. Those are the internal causes, but there are also external factors that can cause eczema, like irritants (tobacco smoke, chemicals, weather) and air conditioning or overheating, and allergens like dust mites, mould, grass, pets, cosmetics and washing powders, to name a few.

A common cause of dermatitis is allergic reaction or when your skin is irritated by something. Other causes of dermatitis can be dry skin, viral infection, bacteria or even stress. Genetics can play a role in sensitive skin conditions, so if people in your family have eczema or dermatitis, you’re more likely to experience it.

Most people with eczema don’t have any existing allergies, even though the symptoms can feel quite similar. Some external factors can include certain foods, chemicals, allergens and irritants such as the weather. People with a family history of asthma or hayfever are most likely to be affected by eczema.

Across Australasia, eczema is the most common form of skin disease, affecting 1 in 3 people. Stress has been known to cause eczema flares. Stress causes a spike in the hormone cortisol, and when your cortisol levels go up, skin can become abnormally oily, which can lead to eczema.

Sweat isn’t necessarily a cause of eczema, but sweating can aggravate eczema symptoms. If you have eczema, it’s good to be aware of how to protect your skin when exercising. For example, when exercising our bodies heat up, which can make eczema feel worse, so make sure to drink lots of water, avoid exercising outside on really hot days, wipe off sweat (the saltiness can dry out your skin!) regularly and choose cotton clothing that breathes. Eczema flare-up? Cool down with Flexitol’s eczema essentials range.

Eczema and dermatitis can get infected if there are open sores on the skin, as a result of scratching or irritation. Open sores can let in nasty bugs like viruses, bacteria and fungi. Take proper care of your skin to ward off infections with our dermatologist-approved range of products.