Everyone is different so each eczema sufferer will have different reasons and triggers for his or her eczema.
There are a host of reasons and triggers which are common and can be identified and worked on to help make eczema disappear but it's impossible to point the finger at one root cause.
We talk to eczema specialist Doctor Carla Stanton about the top 7 reasons for eczema.
1. Stress
Proven to be linked to the immune system and the hormones of stress, your eczema will benefit from a reduction of your stress levels. All means are good, whether you prefer to meditate, do yoga or take up regular exercise!
2. Vitamin D deficiency
"Studies have demonstrated that those with low vitamin D levels have worse eczema than those with normal levels", says Dr Carla Stanton. Adding "Many of the population are estimated to be deficient in vitamin D due to our daily habits of residing inside, especially those with darker skin are more prone. So it's worth considering. Better still, you can get a blood test to check your vitamin D level before you start taking anything. You can usually arrange this through your doctor".
3. The wrong diet
It's hard to pinpoint but it’s also important to make sure you eat fresh produce in a range of colours and vitamins. Processed foods are to be avoided. Adding in healthy foods, like foods rich in Vitamin C can also help, as can supplements and oils like Omega 3.
4. Sugar and liver blockers
"Refined sugar can disrupt your insulin secretion patterns, and can be pro-inflammatory and encourage overgrowth of unwanted bugs". As for the usual suspects: alcohol/ caffeine and trans-fats (these include cakes, pies, cookies, doughnuts, fast food) they stop the liver from functioning and detoxing the body properly.
5. Gluten
Gluten seems to be getting the blame for everything these days but, Dr Stanton says 'gluten and dairy are often the more common offenders (you can try switching to alternatives such as coconut/almond milk as long as you are not sensitive to these too). If you're considering making any changes, start with a food diary to identify the likely triggers and consult your doctor before making changes to your diet (especially children)".
6. Bad sleep routines
Sleeping is essential for rest and regeneration. Even more so for eczema sufferers, as disrupted sleep is a cause for worse eczema.
7. A bad skincare routine
Keeping skin clean and well cared for is key for eczema sufferers. Dr Stanton adds "Eczema sufferers are much more prone to dry skin. Dry skin tends to be more itchy, and the more we itch the more we scratch. This can flare up our eczema even more as well as making us prone to breaking the skin’s natural protection barrier and therefore being more susceptible to secondary skin infections and delayed healing. Use moisturizers daily, right after washing and apply all over".
