Eczema is a long-term condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked, according to the NHS.
It most often appears in children before their first birthday, but it can also develop for the first time in adulthood.
Eczema symptoms can vary between small patches of dry skin, to large areas of red, inflamed skin all over the body.
These are the everyday triggers that could be causing your eczema, or making the skin condition worse.
Food
Making some small dietary changes could play a big role in preventing the signs of eczema.
Some basic foods, including bread and eggs may be acting as a trigger for eczema, according to DermaTherapy Bedding’s Dr Rupert Mason.
“As mentioned before, even the juice from fresh fruit, vegetables, or meats, can irritate your skin when you touch them,” he said.
“You also have to consider the foods that you eat as part of your daily diet. Basic staples like bread, pasta, eggs, dairy products some fish and some nuts can act as a trigger factor in young children.
“Identification and avoidance are the best ways to prevent food from being a trigger to your eczema.”
Clothes
Certain fabrics and materials used for clothes may be caused an eczema flare-up.
Cotton is made from short fibres, which can irritate the skin – especially when damp – warned Mason.
Woven silk, which is usually used for underwear, is made from occlusive fabric, and is prone to attack by bacteria.
“Few fabrics are considered suitable for underwear, so eczema sufferers are often directed to organic cotton and silk,” he said.
“Only medical, knitted silk clothing has any clinically proven qualities to make it a recognised product for use with eczema patients.
“Trying specifically designed underwear such as DermaSilk [www.dermasilk.co.uk], to help keep your eczema flare-ups at bay throughout the day.”
Water
Dehydration could be playing a big role in eczema flare-ups, warned Mason.
Eczema patients lose plenty of water through their skin, particularly during the warmer months.
Make an effort to drink plenty of water throughout the year.
“Consider sipping even more if you start to notice unusual dryness or tightness in your skin,” he added.
Weather
Simply changes in weather conditions could have an impact on eczema patients’ skin, said Mason.
“Many people notice that their eczema flares due to weather changes.,” he said.
“For example, the seasonal change from a cool spring to a hot summer will play havoc with the skin of eczema-prone people and the autumnal shift to single figure temperatures, damper air and the dryness in the home due to the sudden use of central heating, will also have an effect on many individuals’ skin conditions.”
Nighttime routine
Your eczema symptoms may also be impacted by your bedtime routine – and in particular, your bedding.
Some beddings can cause patients to become overheated, which may trigger dry skin, claimed Mason.
Those with a ‘high thread count’ are most likely to cause a hot and humid sleep environment, he said.
“Investing in temperature-regulating bedding is helpful, particularly if you have a memory foam mattress, which can often be more reflective of your body heat.
“Try specialised bedding such as DermaTherapy Bedding [http://www.dermatherapybedding.co.uk] in order to regulate your nighttime temperature and keep your eczema woes at bay.”
