Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon TriggersIdentifying TriggersReducing ExposureNext in Eczema GuideHow Atopic Dermatitis Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Common Triggers
Identifying Triggers
Reducing Exposure
Next in Eczema Guide
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Common Eczema Triggers
Different sorts of situations can trigger a disease flare in someone with eczema. This might result in worsening symptoms, either very quickly or within a few days.
Some of theseeczema triggersmay apply to you, but others may not. The disease shows up a little differently in everyone. Some people might not notice any specific triggers that make their disease worse.
There are many different potential categories of eczema triggers, some of which are described below.
What are disease flares?Various environmental conditions (both internal and external), may inflammation in the skin, leading to a “disease flare,” in which symptoms temporarily get worse.
What are disease flares?
Various environmental conditions (both internal and external), may inflammation in the skin, leading to a “disease flare,” in which symptoms temporarily get worse.
Skin Irritants and Contact Allergens
You may find that different substances found in both natural and artificial products seem to trigger your disease flares. These might include some of the following:
In some cases, these substances serve as general skin irritants, which might broadly worsen eczema symptoms. In other cases, you might notice a skin rash directly where the aggravating substance touched.
This might occur from a specific type of immune reaction in the body. You might hear these called “contact allergens” and the resulting rash called “allergic dermatitis” or “contact dermatitis.”
Allergic dermatitis is very common in people with atopic dermatitis.Some people with atopic dermatitis sometimes get eczema from contact dermatitis as well. Both contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis are forms of eczema.
Inhaled Allergens
Inhaling certain substances in the external environment can trigger allergies and worsen symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Some of the most common triggers of this type include:
Climate
Some people notice their eczema flares up during temperature extremes. For example, in the winter, there is less moisture in the air. This can increase skin dryness, which may increase eczema symptoms.
On the other hand, some people also notice that very hot temperature trigger their symptoms. Sweating itself may also worsen symptoms. Some might even notice negative effects when they take long, hot showers or baths.
Can eczema flare in the summer?Yes, eczema can flare up in the summer—or during the winter. If your eczema gets worse during the summer, try keeping your skin clean, cool, and dry. If you experience eczema flare-ups during the winter, an air humidifier may help.
Can eczema flare in the summer?
Yes, eczema can flare up in the summer—or during the winter. If your eczema gets worse during the summer, try keeping your skin clean, cool, and dry. If you experience eczema flare-ups during the winter, an air humidifier may help.
Specific Foods
Some people havereactions to specific foodsthat seem to worsen their eczema symptoms. Sometimes this is related to a true allergy to the food. Other times, people notice that eating the food seems to trigger their symptoms, even though they don’t have what would be considered a true allergy.
Some of the most common food triggers that people describe include:
However, these are not the only foods that can potentially trigger symptoms. It’s also important to remember that different people may have different food sensitivities. You may have zero, one, or multiple food triggers. Food triggers for eczema may be more common in young children than in older children or adults.
Infection
Hormones
Some women notice that their disease tends to flare at certain times in their menstrual cycle. One study found that nearly half of all women with eczema notice worsened symptoms premenstrually.
Sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone might be causing this, through their effects on the immune system. Some women also notice worsened symptoms during pregnancy.
Stress
Psychological stress may worsen eczema symptoms in some situations. You might be more likely to notice a flare during particularly stressful periods of your life. Factors such as poor or reduced sleep may also play a role.
Although people with depression are at higher risk for also having eczema, the reasons for this are unclear. It could be that depression triggers eczema, but it may also be because people with skin conditions are more likely to experience reduced self-esteem and anxiety related to their condition, which could contribute to symptoms of depression.
Is PTSD an eczema trigger?Skin symptoms are often found in people with post-traumatic stress disorder. Some researchers believe that people in long-term situations involving high levels of psychological stress may have impaired skin barrier function, which can contribute to eczema or other dermatologic conditions.
Is PTSD an eczema trigger?
Skin symptoms are often found in people with post-traumatic stress disorder. Some researchers believe that people in long-term situations involving high levels of psychological stress may have impaired skin barrier function, which can contribute to eczema or other dermatologic conditions.
Dry Skin
In one sense, dry skin might be better considered a symptom of eczema and than a trigger. People with eczema are prone to dry skin, even when they aren’t having any major symptoms.
Practicing goodskin careand keeping the skin hydrated withmoisturizers and emollientsis one of the most important things you can do to help prevent a disease flare.This will help keep more water inside your skin, which will leave it less prone to becoming painful, itchy, and red.
There is a lot that is still not understood about why some situations seem to trigger symptoms in some people with eczema. Research into eczema triggers is somewhat limited.
How to Identify Possible Triggers
Unfortunately, people with atopic dermatitis have somewhat different triggers, and identifying them can take a while. Some people can’t identify any particular triggers, even after they investigate.
Understand that your response to a trigger or removing a trigger might not occur right away. That can sometimes make it challenging to identify potential triggers.
Allergy Testing
Allergy testingmay be able to help you identify triggers of eczema symptoms, such as specific foods or other substances. Unfortunately, the process of allergy testing is complex, and clinicians don’t all agree about the best tests to use or whether they are really helpful.
These tests are also difficult to interpret. Just because a test shows that you might be slightly sensitive to a substance, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is triggering your symptoms. It may be helpful to work with a board-certified allergy specialist to get tested and make sense of your results.
Reducing Exposure to Potential Triggers
There are a number of ways to reduce your exposure to potential triggers. They aren’t difficult, but do take a bit of careful attention and planning.
Cleaning and Personal Care Products
Experiment with using different laundry detergents, cleaning products, etc., to see if that may help. Some people with eczema are sensitive to substances found in these products. Take a look at conventional products as well as so-called “natural” products because these can be disease triggers as well. Avoiding a suspected substance for a period of time can give you an idea of whether it might be triggering your symptoms.
Generally, fewer ingredients is a good sign. Some people also experiment with homemade products, or simple baking soda and vinegar rinses.
In general, once you have identified a triggering substance, you’ll know to avoid it in the future.
Clothing
Since some people with eczema experience triggers from certain fabrics, consider looking at your wardrobe. Some people with eczema find they do better with fabrics like silks and smooth cotton. But you may need to experiment to find what works for you.
Be aware of the potential for disease flaring from both overly dry and overly humid air.
In the summer:
In the winter:
Airborne Allergens
In some cases, you may be able to reduce your exposure to inhaled allergens, which might potentially reduce your symptoms. Some general things you could that might reduce your exposure include:
Some people also may be able to lessen their response to such allergens through immunotherapy orallergy shots.
Food Sensitivities
If you find that a certain food tends to trigger your eczema, it may be worth it to avoid it for a while. You may be able to reintroduce it at a later time without any problems.
However, identifying such triggers can be very difficult, as symptoms might not show up for days, and a change in your symptoms might not be related to your diet. Also, be careful not to limit your diet in an extreme way.
Completely eliminating an item from your diet is unlikely to be helpful unless you already have substantial evidence that a specific food triggers your symptoms.
Making a food and symptom diary is a good way to track your symptoms over time and see if any patterns emerge.
General Self Care
By using general self-care, you can minimize the effects of your eczema triggers. For example:
What is the three-minute rule for eczema?Apply moisturizer no more than three minutes after bathing. Pat your skin dry before applying.
What is the three-minute rule for eczema?
Apply moisturizer no more than three minutes after bathing. Pat your skin dry before applying.
Summary
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.What is an eczema flare?National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.Owen JL, Vakharia PP, Silverberg JI.The role and diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with atopic dermatitis.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19(3):293-302. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0340-7National Eczema Association.5 environmental allergies (and how to manage them).Hongzhi G, Xiangfen D, Jing Z.Analysis of skin prick test results for 224 patients with eczema.InE3S Web of Conferences2020; (185):03004. doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202018503004Obbagy JE, English LK, Wong YP, et al.Complementary feeding and food allergy, atopic dermatitis/eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis: A systematic review.Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109(Suppl_7):890S-934S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy220Schmitt J, Ehm F, Vivirito A, et al.Large cohort study shows increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis after COVID-19 disease.Allergy. 2024;79(1):232-234. doi:10.1111/all.15827Raghunath RS, Venables ZC, Millington GW.The menstrual cycle and the skin.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(2):111-5. doi:10.1111/ced.12588National Eczema Foundation.Eczema and emotional wellness.Long Q, Jin H, You X, et al.Eczema is a shared risk factor for anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis and systematic review.PloS one. 2022;18;17(2):e0263334. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263334Gupta MA, Jarosz P, Gupta AK.Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the dermatology patient.Clin Dermatol. 2017;35(3):260-266. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.01.005National Eczema Association.Moisturizer and lotion for eczema: Everything you need to know.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema causes & triggers research.Dhar S, Srinivas SM.Food allergy in atopic dermatitis.Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(6):645–648. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.193673Chang KL, Guarderas JC.Allergy testing: Common questions and answers.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(1):34-39.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Managing eczema in summer.Jing D, Li J, Tao J, et al.Associations of second-hand smoke exposure with hand eczema and atopic dermatitis among college students in China.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):17400. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-74501-2Allergy & Asthma Network.Coping with eczema.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.What is an eczema flare?National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.Owen JL, Vakharia PP, Silverberg JI.The role and diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with atopic dermatitis.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19(3):293-302. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0340-7National Eczema Association.5 environmental allergies (and how to manage them).Hongzhi G, Xiangfen D, Jing Z.Analysis of skin prick test results for 224 patients with eczema.InE3S Web of Conferences2020; (185):03004. doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202018503004Obbagy JE, English LK, Wong YP, et al.Complementary feeding and food allergy, atopic dermatitis/eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis: A systematic review.Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109(Suppl_7):890S-934S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy220Schmitt J, Ehm F, Vivirito A, et al.Large cohort study shows increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis after COVID-19 disease.Allergy. 2024;79(1):232-234. doi:10.1111/all.15827Raghunath RS, Venables ZC, Millington GW.The menstrual cycle and the skin.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(2):111-5. doi:10.1111/ced.12588National Eczema Foundation.Eczema and emotional wellness.Long Q, Jin H, You X, et al.Eczema is a shared risk factor for anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis and systematic review.PloS one. 2022;18;17(2):e0263334. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263334Gupta MA, Jarosz P, Gupta AK.Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the dermatology patient.Clin Dermatol. 2017;35(3):260-266. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.01.005National Eczema Association.Moisturizer and lotion for eczema: Everything you need to know.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema causes & triggers research.Dhar S, Srinivas SM.Food allergy in atopic dermatitis.Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(6):645–648. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.193673Chang KL, Guarderas JC.Allergy testing: Common questions and answers.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(1):34-39.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Managing eczema in summer.Jing D, Li J, Tao J, et al.Associations of second-hand smoke exposure with hand eczema and atopic dermatitis among college students in China.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):17400. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-74501-2Allergy & Asthma Network.Coping with eczema.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.National Eczema Association.What is an eczema flare?National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.Owen JL, Vakharia PP, Silverberg JI.The role and diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with atopic dermatitis.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19(3):293-302. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0340-7National Eczema Association.5 environmental allergies (and how to manage them).Hongzhi G, Xiangfen D, Jing Z.Analysis of skin prick test results for 224 patients with eczema.InE3S Web of Conferences2020; (185):03004. doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202018503004Obbagy JE, English LK, Wong YP, et al.Complementary feeding and food allergy, atopic dermatitis/eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis: A systematic review.Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109(Suppl_7):890S-934S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy220Schmitt J, Ehm F, Vivirito A, et al.Large cohort study shows increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis after COVID-19 disease.Allergy. 2024;79(1):232-234. doi:10.1111/all.15827Raghunath RS, Venables ZC, Millington GW.The menstrual cycle and the skin.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(2):111-5. doi:10.1111/ced.12588National Eczema Foundation.Eczema and emotional wellness.Long Q, Jin H, You X, et al.Eczema is a shared risk factor for anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis and systematic review.PloS one. 2022;18;17(2):e0263334. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263334Gupta MA, Jarosz P, Gupta AK.Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the dermatology patient.Clin Dermatol. 2017;35(3):260-266. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.01.005National Eczema Association.Moisturizer and lotion for eczema: Everything you need to know.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema causes & triggers research.Dhar S, Srinivas SM.Food allergy in atopic dermatitis.Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(6):645–648. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.193673Chang KL, Guarderas JC.Allergy testing: Common questions and answers.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(1):34-39.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Managing eczema in summer.Jing D, Li J, Tao J, et al.Associations of second-hand smoke exposure with hand eczema and atopic dermatitis among college students in China.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):17400. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-74501-2Allergy & Asthma Network.Coping with eczema.
National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.
National Eczema Association.What is an eczema flare?
Owen JL, Vakharia PP, Silverberg JI.The role and diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with atopic dermatitis.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19(3):293-302. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0340-7
National Eczema Association.5 environmental allergies (and how to manage them).
Hongzhi G, Xiangfen D, Jing Z.Analysis of skin prick test results for 224 patients with eczema.InE3S Web of Conferences2020; (185):03004. doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202018503004
Obbagy JE, English LK, Wong YP, et al.Complementary feeding and food allergy, atopic dermatitis/eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis: A systematic review.Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109(Suppl_7):890S-934S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy220
Schmitt J, Ehm F, Vivirito A, et al.Large cohort study shows increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis after COVID-19 disease.Allergy. 2024;79(1):232-234. doi:10.1111/all.15827
Raghunath RS, Venables ZC, Millington GW.The menstrual cycle and the skin.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(2):111-5. doi:10.1111/ced.12588
National Eczema Foundation.Eczema and emotional wellness.
Long Q, Jin H, You X, et al.Eczema is a shared risk factor for anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis and systematic review.PloS one. 2022;18;17(2):e0263334. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263334
Gupta MA, Jarosz P, Gupta AK.Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the dermatology patient.Clin Dermatol. 2017;35(3):260-266. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.01.005
National Eczema Association.Moisturizer and lotion for eczema: Everything you need to know.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema causes & triggers research.
Dhar S, Srinivas SM.Food allergy in atopic dermatitis.Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(6):645–648. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.193673
Chang KL, Guarderas JC.Allergy testing: Common questions and answers.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(1):34-39.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Managing eczema in summer.
Jing D, Li J, Tao J, et al.Associations of second-hand smoke exposure with hand eczema and atopic dermatitis among college students in China.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):17400. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-74501-2
Allergy & Asthma Network.Coping with eczema.
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