It is often thought that eczema is due to an allergy & that if the cause of the allergy is removed, the condition will be cured. In fact, very few people have eczema that is caused by an allergy. However, the same people who have eczema may also have allergies which give them different symptoms.
Eczema tends to run in families
People suffering from this skin condition often present with a family history of asthma, hay fever and other atopic diseases. They may also have a history of allergies to certain substances such as dust, fur, wool and so on.
Irritants can flare up an attack of eczema
A person with a tendency to eczema is generally born with dry, easily irritated skin, which needs special care to prevent eczema developing. Any episode of irritation of the skin can easily flare up an attack of eczema or in other cases, worsen the existing symptoms. Hence it is extremely important to identify the irritants and take steps to avoid them. The most common irritants of the skin are listed below:
- Dust
Dust is one of the most common irritants of the skin and it can worsen the existing symptoms of a dry flaky itchy and red skin.
- Sand
Sand is also one of the skin irritants causing a flare up of the eczema.
- Wool and fur
Another common skin irritant is materials such as wool and fur. They can be found in carpets, car seats, stroller covers and may be one of the common cause of eczema in babies and toddlers.
- Perfumes and deodorants
Many individuals have an allergy to perfumes and deodorants as a result of their high chemical content. This can also cause flare up of the eczema.
- Soap
Certain soaps can lead to increased dryness of skin and worsen the existing symptoms.
- Food Allergy
Food allergy is on e of the most widely discussed and the most common cause of a flare up of eczema. Many people suffering from eczema often report an allergy to food, soy, wheat and gluten. In other cases they may also have an allergy to milk and milk products, fish such as shellfish and sea food such as crab. This can lead to worsening of the existing symptoms. It is extremely important to check the food labeling before buying any food products, in order to avoid the potential allergens and thus prevent an attack.
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