Common Triggers You Should Know About

Flare-ups are physical manifestations of inflammation, particularly on your skin. They may appear in the following ways:

a red, itchy rash
itchy skin that oozes, “weeps” fluis, or even bleeds when scratched
dry, discolored, skin
sleep disturbances caused by itchiness

While not all eczema sufferers experience flare-ups in the same way, and not necessarily by the same triggers, these are the more common causes:

Allergies

From reacting to animal dander or mold, all the way to certain pests and other triggers, these allergic reactions could cause a cycle of “itch-scratch”.

Irritants

Everyday products we see and use in the home — such as detergents, soaps, perfumes or colognes — could contain ingredients that your skin is allergic to.

Clothing

This could range from the kind of clothing, its texture, or even how tight it is. Generally, however, prickly kinds of fabric (e.g. wool or polyester) or synthetic materials (e.g. polyester, nylon, rayon) can make you sweaty. It’s best to stick to loose, comfortable kinds of fabric like cotton, and if it gets cold, simply add on another layer or two of cotton-made clothing.

Weather

In the Philippines, extreme weather changes can cause an eczema flare-up. When it’s warm and humid, constant perspiration could cause skin irritation. However, once the weather changes to its cooler rainy season counterpart, dry skin can then be the trigger for an eczema flare-up. Be sure to make adjustments such as cooling the skin during hot days, and to moisturize well during cooler days that tend to dry out the skin.

Sweat

Have you heard the expression “I’m allergic to my own sweat”? There’s actually some truth to that. Some people react to the trace elements found in their sweat, which cause a flare-up, especially after a hard workout. Don’t forget to pat down your sweat regularly, hydrate well, and if at all possible, choose cooler times of the day (like early morning or evening) for your workouts.

Stress

This is a good example of how one’s mental and physical health are related. When something stresses you out, cortisol is released. Thus, the immune system triggers an inflammatory response in the skin.

This is not to say, however, that stress and/or anxiety do cause eczema, but there may be physical manifestations of them.

To help manage eczema, especially since this may be a lifelong condition, it’s best to be aware of what your particular triggers are. That way, you can work around them, or find ways to reduce their effects, especially on your skin.

Aside from that, Mometasone furoate (Elica®) products can help stop itching, reduce redness, ease swelling, and provide relief within 24 hours. Mometasone furoate (Elica®) cream is applied on thin skin (e.g. your face) and moist lesions, while Mometasone furoate (Elica®) ointment is applied on dry lesions and thickened skin.

As they say, knowing is half the battle. Empowering yourself by knowing your triggers is already a win in itself; managing them before any flare-up can happen, doubly so!

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

REFERENCES: