Let's Talk About: Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition experienced by millions of people worldwide and we often get lots of questions about it. Eczema is characterized by inflammation of the skin including severe itching, redness, rashes, dry and scaly skin or breaking of the skin, and people can spend a great deal of time trying to manage and provide relief to their skin when dealing with eczema.

These are just a few questions people often have about eczema, what it is, what causes it and how to treat it.

What are signs or symptoms of eczema?

Eczema is characterized by inflammation of the skin including severe itching, redness, rashes, dry and scaly skin or breaking of the skin. Additional eczema symptoms include:

  • Itchiness of the throat, nose, mouth or skin

  • Flaking of the scalp

  • Small red or white bumps

  • Dark patches of dry skin

  • Cracked/peeling skin

  • Burning eyes or skin sensations

What causes eczema?

Does eating gluten cause eczema? Does eating dairy cause eczema? Can soap cause eczema? Can hot temperatures cause eczema? The answer can be yes to all of these and so many others. There are different causes of eczema that fall into three categories: environmental, lifestyle and dietary.

Cause: Environmental Factors, including but not limited to:

  • Outdoor debris + pollutants

  • Allergens

  • Hot temperatures

  • Cold temperatures

  • Synthetic fragrances

  • Synthetic fibers

Cause: Lifestyle factors including but not limited to:

  • Dirty Hair

  • Synthetic Hair

  • Use of non-hypoallergenic makeup

  • Dirty bedding

  • Irritable clothing, bras, undergarments

  • Dirty washcloths and loofahs

  • Detergent with synthetic fragrances and dyes and toxic or irritable chemicals

  • Soap with synthetic fragrances and dyes and toxic or irritable chemicals

  • Non-hypoallergenic skincare and bath products

  • Skincare products such as moisturizers, soaps, and body washes that dehydrate skin or fail to properly lock in moisture

  • Failing to practice proper skin hygiene and cleansing routine

  • Stress

Cause: Dietary factors including but not limited to:

  • Consuming simple sugars and gluten

  • Consuming processed and fast foods

  • Consuming dairy, soy and nuts

  • Consuming foods with high amounts of hormones

How do you treat eczema?

Will using a humidifier help with eczema? Does exfoliation help eczema? Will drinking more water improve eczema? Again, the answer can be yes to all of these. The needed treatment for eczema is dependent on the root cause.

Treatment for eczema caused by environmental factors:

  • Incorporate a 2-time-per day facial cleansing and moisturizing routine to prevent build up and detox skin of outdoor debris, pollutants and allergens

  • Hydrate and moisturize your body daily

  • Use a humidifier in the home to keep the air moist, especially in the summer and winter months

  • Remove outside clothes + shoes when in the home

  • Wear SPF 30+ when outside to protect skin against UV radiation which can inflame hyperpigmentation and dark spots

Treatment for eczema caused by lifestyle factors:

  • Avoid hair contact or irritants in eczema prone areas (back, shoulder, arms face)

  • Minimize synthetic fragrances/ingredients used in detergents, soaps, etc.

  • Change bedding weekly

  • Change washcloths and towels, daily

  • Regularly wash clothing that interacts in the community

  • Add plants and fresh flowers to your home and work space

  • Engage in a daily hygiene routine

  • Take cool showers + baths

  • Exfoliate (with a brush, exfoliation bag, or moisturizing salt or sugar scrub)

  • Use non-comedogenic moisturizers and skincare products

  • Use hypoallergenic makeup

  • Practice meditation and energy release to reduce stress

Treatment for eczema caused by dietary factors:

  • Consume fruits and veggies

  • Increase water intake (key: drink 2 to 3 times your weight in ounces - or more if you work out)

  • Increase probiotic intake


What are different types of eczema?

There are seven different types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, hand eczema, neurodermatitis, nummular eczema and stasis dermatitis.

Image highlighting the symptoms causes and appearance of atopic dermatitis, which is the most common type of eczema

The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis. Atopic Dermatitis is marked by dry, discolored or inflamed skin. It can be caused by allergens, environmental contacts, inflammation of the immune system, genetic predisposition and hormonal fluctuations. Atopic Dermatitis can show up with unpredictable bouts of itching, flare ups of the skin that include redness, bumps, dry skin patches, dark skin patches, and/or burning skin.

What can I do to reduce eczema breakouts naturally?

Choosing natural remedies to reduce eczema breakouts depends on the root cause of your eczema.

Natural remedies for eczema caused by environmental factors:

  • Avoid hair contact or irritants in eczema prone areas (back, shoulder, arms face).

  • Minimize synthetic fragrances /ingredients used in detergents, soaps, etc

  • Change bedding weekly

  • Change washcloths and towels, daily

  • Regularly wash clothing that interacts in the community

  • Add Plants + Fresh Flowers to your home and work space

  • Engage in a daily hygiene routine

  • Take cool showers and baths

  • Take an allergen test and avoid noted allergens

  • Use distilled, filtered, or spring water to cleanse your face/hair and other eczema prone areas

  • Avoid keeping on wet, soiled, or sweaty clothing for long periods of time.

Natural remedies for eczema caused by lifestyle factors:

  • Practice meditation and energy release to reduce stress

  • Practice good sleep hygiene (e.g., 6-8 hours of sleep daily)

  • Consider steaming and sauna exposure for detox

Natural remedies for eczema caused by dietary changes:

  • Eat fruits and vegetables

  • Drink more water: HINT: Drink 2 to 3 times your weight in ounces and more if you work out

  • Take priobiotics

  • Eat an anti-inflammatory diet

Is eczema hereditary?


Eczema can occur from genetic predisposition, environmental or dietary factors and hormonal imbalances–it cannot be passed to another person via touch or physical presence.

Is eczema contagious?

Eczema is not contagious.

Does Eczema occur across all races and genders?

Yes. According to the National Eczema organization, demographics of individuals living with eczema are as follows:


Occurences of eczema in across different racial demographics

  • White- 11%

  • Black- 10%

  • Asian or pacific islander- 13%

  • Native American- 13%

Occurences of eczema in across different age groups

  • Children:

    • 80% experience onset before 6 years old

    • In the US, Black and latino children have more severe eczema symptoms than white children

    • Children living in urban environments have a more prolonged period of impact by Eczema

  • Adults:

    • An estimated 16.5 millon US adults have Atopic Dermatitis

    • 40% of those reporting experiencing Atopic Dermatitis report severe to moderate symptoms

    • 1 in 4 adults experienced eczema onset as adult

Occurences of eczema in males and females

  • Eczema impacts male and female children similarly

  • Eczema is most significant and present in adult women compared to adult men. This is likely due to the consistent changes in hormonal levels experienced by women.











The More You KnowFALLON SPEAKEReczema, education