What Is eczema? Symptoms, causes and how to manage it
What’s persistent, expensive and super annoying? Take a guess. We’ll wait.
No, it’s not those scam callers trying to convince you to buy iTunes gift cards. It’s eczema.
This pesky skin condition has a mind of its own, affects millions of people, and can be really hard to manage. If you’re dealing with dry, itchy, reactive skin, firstly: we see you. Secondly: you’re in the right place.
We’ve pulled together a simple guide to what eczema is, common eczema symptoms, what causes eczema, and the things that might be making your skin angrier than it needs to be.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition that can cause dry, itchy, inflamed and irritated skin. It often shows up as redness, flaky patches, rashes, cracked skin or skin that just feels constantly uncomfortable.
Fun? Absolutely not.
For some people, eczema comes and goes. For others, it sticks around like an unwanted houseguest.
There’s no single cause of eczema. It’s usually a mix of genetic factors and environmental triggers. Basically, a long list of things your skin may decide it suddenly hates.
What does eczema look like?
Eczema symptoms can look a little different from person to person, but common signs include:
-
Dry, itchy skin
-
Red or inflamed patches
-
Flaky, scaly skin
-
Skin that feels sore or irritated
-
Cracks in the skin
-
Rashes that come and go
-
Skin flare-ups triggered by stress, weather or products
If your skin constantly feels reactive, uncomfortable, or like it’s throwing a tantrum for no obvious reason, eczema might be part of the puzzle.
Types of eczema
Yep, there are at least seven different types. Wish we were kidding.
Atopic dermatitis: The most common form.
Contact dermatitis: Often triggered by irritating products or allergens (looking at you, overly potent hand soap).
Dyshidrotic eczema: Usually appears on the hands, bringing tiny blisters and plenty of itching with it.
Neurodermatitis (lichen simplex chronicus): Thick, itchy patches caused by repeated scratching/rubbing. Often localised.
Nummular eczema: Causes coin-shaped, round patches of eczema.
Seborrheic dermatitis: Usually affects areas like the scalp, face, neck or beard.
Stasis dermatitis: Often appears on the legs and can resemble varicose veins.
What causes eczema?
The frustrating answer? It depends.
Eczema is usually caused by a combination of genetics, your environment, lifestyle factors, allergies and skin barrier function. Which is a very annoying way of saying: there are a lot of moving parts.
The good news? Once you start identifying your personal eczema triggers, things can feel a whole lot more manageable.
Common eczema triggers
Our skin can be dramatic. Cold winters, dry air, humidity, sweating and seasonal changes can all trigger eczema flare-ups.
If your skin suddenly gets angrier in winter or freaks out during a heatwave, you’re definitely not alone.
Gut health
There’s growing interest in the connection between gut health and eczema, and while there’s still so much we’re learning, many people find supporting their health internally can help.
We always recommend working with a trusted naturopath or integrative GP if this is something you want to explore further.
Allergies
A lot of people in our community have shared that allergy testing was a game-changer.
Whether it’s food sensitivities, environmental triggers or hidden irritants, having more information can make navigating eczema-prone skin feel a little less overwhelming.
Stress
If you’ve ever noticed your skin flaring up during a stressful season, you’re not imagining it.
So many members of our community tell us their eczema gets worse when they’re under the pump or not feeling their best mentally.
Managing stress is easier said than done, but mindfulness, movement, therapy, meditation, yoga or simply slowing down where you can may help support your nervous system (and potentially your skin too).
Harsh skincare and products
This could honestly be a whole blog post in itself.
One of the biggest things we hear from people with eczema-prone skin? Their routine was simply doing too much.
Fragrance, sulfates, harsh actives and overly complicated skincare routines can sometimes aggravate already reactive skin.
The Yours Only philosophy? Sensitive skin often needs less, not more.
Think simple, nourishing skincare with fewer potential irritants. We created Yours Only with a low ingredient load and without common irritants because hypersensitive skin can be fussy (understatement of the year).
Where hidden irritants could be lurking
Makeup: Look for fragrance-free, sensitive skin-friendly options where possible. The less irritating ingredients, the better.
Skincare: Try stripping things back to the basics. A gentle cleanser, nourishing moisturiser and products your skin actually tolerates can go a long way.
Washing powder: This one catches people off guard. Sensitive-friendly laundry detergents can sometimes make a huge difference.
Cleaning products: Have a look at the ingredients in your dishwashing liquid or household cleaners. Some products can be surprisingly irritating for people with eczema-prone skin.
Can eczema go away?
For some people, eczema improves over time. For others, it can be something they manage long-term.
The key is understanding your personal triggers, supporting your skin barrier, and finding products and routines that work with your skin instead of against it.
A simple skincare routine for eczema-prone skin
When your skin is reactive, complicated routines can sometimes make things worse. Your skin doesn’t need to be lathered in more products; it needs less risks. Opt for a streamlined routine of multi-use products.The perfect routine for eczema-prone skin:
- A gentle cleanser (like CLEAN)
- A nourishing moisturiser (COAT is perfect for this)
- Products without common irritants or unnecessary extras (like BALM, MASK, SLEEK and OIL).
The entire Yours Only range is suitable for eczema-prone skin – in fact, I created the products for this very reason.
You’re not alone in your eczema journey
Please know this: you are never alone in your eczema journey.
We hear from so many people in our community who are right in the thick of it too. The frustration, the flare-ups, the trial and error — we get it.
If you wanna connect with our community even more, join our Facebook group Friends With Dramatic Skin for all the tips, advice, and fun perks.
Ashlee
This gal had eczema ever since she was a kid. She got bullied in high school for her eczema, and relied on steroid creams to clear up her flares.
After 25 years of dabbling with steroids off-and-on, — her skin had a tantrum. She ended up going through an awful condition called Topical Steroid Withdrawal. One year later, she’s still fighting her way to heal the flare up.
Chrissy
On one sunny day, Chrissy was minding her own business, and went to get her brows done. She’d always dealt with dermatitis on her body, but it was pretty manageable. Until, the brow dye used flared up her face, big time.
It took two years for her skin to like her again — once she swapped to our soothing moisturiser, COAT.
Zoe
Having eczema since she was a baby, Zoe sorta just dealt with it, coz she’s also managing chronic health conditions. In a story we know all too well, her skin also just decided to flare up a few years ago — in places it had never before.
She also started applying COAT twice a day, and her skin instantly said thank you.
You’re not alone in your eczema journey
Please know this: you are never alone in your eczema journey.
We hear from so many people in our community who are right in the thick of it too. The frustration, the flare-ups, the trial and error — we get it.
If you’d like extra support, tips and honest conversations with people who really understand dramatic skin, come join our Facebook community, Friends With Dramatic Skin. We’d love to have you.
