From the way it looks to the discomfort it causes, dry, itchy skin is a daily frustration for eczema sufferers. If you have dermatitis-prone skin, as well as searching for the best eczema treatment, it’s also worth considering what could be making your skin worse. Are you unknowingly doing things everyday that are further aggravating your skin?
But first, let’s understand what’s happening beneath your skin’s surface.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a broad term covering a range of skin conditions that cause the skin to become irritated or inflamed. Eczema affects people of all ages, and can flare up at any age, but it’s particularly common in children. In fact, the British Skin Foundation estimates that 1 in every 5 children in the UK get some kind of eczema1.
Atopic eczema is the most common form of eczema and causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. Your GP can suggest eczema creams and treatments that can help relieve symptoms.
Is all dry skin eczema?
A quick distinction. Not all dry skin is eczema. Dry skin is a skin type (oily, combination and normal are others), and there are times when we can all expect our skin to show signs of lacking moisture. For example, cold weather, harsh chemicals and excessive hand washing can all damage the outer skin and cause dry skin to form. It often shows up as patches of flakiness and in extreme cases, cracking.
On the other hand, eczema is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition. It often flares up sporadically, leaving sufferers with red, dry, itchy skin. And not just a little tickle of an itch, it’s a type of irritation that’s hard not to scratch.
The exact cause of eczema is debatable, but in general terms, it’s down to a response by your immune system to… something. To what? Well, there are a whole range of things that could be triggers. A skincare product you’ve applied to your skin. Or a new detergent you’ve used to wash your clothes. Maybe dust, pollen or another allergen in the environments. Something you’ve eaten. Eczema can also be exacerbated if you’re feeling under the weather. And the most annoying thing is, it can be difficult to find the underlying cause.
What can I do to relieve dry skin caused by eczema?
In this article, we’re not talking about eczema treatments. We’ll leave that to the medical professionals. But what we can do is provide a few tips to help you understand what could be aggravating your flare-ups.
Tip #1: Keep a diary
One of the frustrating things about eczema is that it’s so difficult to identify a single cause. Try keeping a diary, noting what you eat, the skincare products you use and changes in your skin. This can help to highlight what’s causing aggravation, allowing you to make positive changes to your routine.
Holland & Barrett nutritionist, Emily Rollason says:
“Based on your diary, make very gradual changes to your diet, skincare routine and habits. For example, speak to your GP about avoiding a food or ingredient for a certain period of time to see if things improve. If you try to do too much at once, you may never understand what the underlying causes could be.”
Tip #2 Check soaping products for SLS
Do you like a shampoo that creates bountiful suds? A shower gel with a rich, foamy texture? Then it’s probably worth looking at the ingredients on your bottles. It could be sodium lauryl sulphate (or SLS) that’s creating the soap and bubbles. SLS has be known to potentially irritate eczema-prone skin, as it can decrease the skin’s ability to act as a barrier.
Holland & Barrett nutritionist, Emily Rollason says:
“More and more skincare manufacturers and retailers (including Holland & Barrett) are no longer selling products containing SLS. And more and more natural remedies for eczema are emerging. So be mindful about the products you choose – there are plenty of kinder alternatives to SLS out there.”
Tip # 3 Look out for chemical preservatives
This is another prompt to look at the ingredients of the products you use. And not only the toiletries and cosmetics you apply directly to your skin. Fabric conditioners, dishwashing liquids and other household products, can also irritate eczema-prone skin.
Holland & Barrett nutritionist, Emily Rollason says:
“When skin is itchy, dry and cracked, it’s more prone to infection and may react to certain chemicals. So, I’d definitely suggest checking the label for these common irritants.”
Take a step back. Understand your dry, itchy skin
Caring for dry, itchy skin can take more than slathering on moisturising eczema creams. You also need to be mindful of what contributes to dryness. By looking at the food you eat and eliminating certain ingredients from the products you use, you can make a big difference to your skin.
Last updated: 30 April 2020
Emily Rollason is a qualified Nutritional Therapist, achieving a Diploma from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition.
Working with Holland & Barrett for six years, Emily has valuable experience working on a one-to-one basis with clients with a variety of health concerns such as endometriosis, adenomyosis and aiding those looking to support certain dietary requirements, such as a vegan or vegetarian diet. Emily has a long history of working with customers to guide them on what products are best suited to help them with their ailments. Her particular interests in nutrition and wellness focus around digestive health, female health and allergies/ intolerances.
