Eczema 101

What is Eczema and How Should You Treat It?

Dry skin happens. But when it comes with itchiness, scaly patches and redness, there’s a chance it could be more than just dry dehydrated skin. It could be eczema. You should always consult your dermatologist first, but here’s what we know about eczema and how to find some relief.

What is Eczema?

There are seven different types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and stasis dermatitis. It’s super common—over 31 million Americans have eczema. But, it’s not a contagious skin condition.

Eczema happens where there is damage in your skin barrier function. This creates microscopic breaks in the “wall” of your skin and makes your skin more sensitive and prone to dryness and irritation. Eczema can show up anywhere: on your hands, neck, inner elbows, ankles, knees, feet and even around your eyes.

What Causes Eczema?

Eczema is a condition that affects all ages of people—it can show up in newborns (typically on the cheeks) the first weeks and month after birth, and can also affect people well into adulthood.

The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis (also known as atopic eczema). It’s triggered by an overactive immune system that produces inflammation from an allergen (from outside or inside the body). This inflammation disrupts the skin barrier, causing dryness and itchiness.

We’re not exactly sure what causes eczema, but researchers have found a link between your genes and environmental triggers. There’s also an overlap of people who have eczema and hay fever, asthma and food allergies.

Eczema and Your Diet

Your diet could affect eczema. Food allergies play a part in 30% of kids with severe eczema—the main culprits are cow’s milk and eggs.

For adults, it’s worth trying an anti-inflammatory diet to help you get a handle on inflammation. Think fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, olive oil, leafy greens, and fatty fish like salmon and tuna. If this is all new to you, it’s okay. Try picking one night to go vegetarian for dinner and go from there. Bonus: it’s more sustainable for the planet, too!

If you’re a coffee drinker, don’t skip out on your morning cup. Coffee has been shown to contain polyphenols and other anti-inflammatory compounds. 

How Do I Treat Eczema?

There are a few things you can do to help with eczema:

Figure out your triggers

Test out some of the common culprits: laundry detergents, surface cleaners, soaps, shampoos, cleansers, wool fabrics, nickel in jewelry, and exposure to dry air or extreme temperatures. You can check out a full list here. See if making a swap with your skin care or cleaning products helps your eczema flare-ups. It can be hard to avoid extreme temperatures certain times of year, so being mindful of time spent in those conditions could make a big difference.

Keep your stress levels in check

Emotional stress can trigger a flare-up. Make your mental health a priority with practices like meditation, mindfulness and breathwork, scheduling breaks, making time for play and even acupuncture to help control stress before it becomes a problem.

Find eczema-friendly skin care

Certain skin care ingredients can cause eczema flare-ups. Look for products with the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance™️. This means the product has been evaluated to prove it does not contain ingredients that are known to be irritating to eczema or people with sensitive skin.

The top eight skin care ingredients to avoid are: fragrance, essential oils, urea, lanolin, retinoids, cocamidopropyl betaine, propylene glycol, and ethanol, according to the National Eczema Association.

Always check with your doctor if your skin condition doesn’t improve or worsens. There are prescription creams and other resources your doctor may have available for more severe cases.

Skin Care Ingredients for Eczema

With any skin care, and especially if you have eczema, it’s key to patch test a new product on your wrist or crook of your elbow for 24-48 hours to see if you have any reaction. 

With a compromised skin barrier, dryness is a major concern with eczema—and research suggest that hydrating skin care can make a big difference. Here are some ingredients to look for:

Emollients

Like Ceramides, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter. These ingredients help fill in the crack in dry skin and restore some of the natural fats in the skin, helping to repair the skin barrier.

Humectants

Like Aloe Vera, Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid. These ingredients draw moisture into the skin from the air. 

Occlusives

Like Coconut Oil, Beeswax, and other natural waxes. These act like a top coat on your skin, sealing in all the moisture and hydration from the other ingredients so they don’t evaporate.

If combing ingredient lists isn’t something you have time for, just stick to looking for the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance™️. The great news is we have a whole skin care line with this seal, and options for the little ones, too.

Your response to skin care products may vary. Ask a healthcare professional about the most suitable skin care regimen for you.