Eczema is a condition of the skin where the skin becomes dried out and itches, sometimes forming blisters and patches.
Although there’s no exact cause of this diseases, there are triggers of the symptoms.
Since eczema is caused by atopic dermatitis – inflammation and irritation of the skin, anything that can irritate your skin or/and cause inflammation of the skin is a trigger.
Triggers of Eczema Symptoms
If a substance or condition irritates your skin or triggers eczema, it is important to take note and avoid it.
When you do that, you’ll be able to control the itches and rashes, and also prevent it from occuring in the future.
Typical triggers of eczema can be categorized into three groups – Allergens, Environmental and Psychological factors.
Allergens
Allergens can be further grouped into Food, Drug, Pollen, Pet, Insect, Latex, and Mold.
Drug interactions
Drugs that cause allergies are Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Sulfa drugs, Chemotherapy drugs, some antibiotics, especially when contains amoxicillin, penicillin, ampicillin etc
Environmental factors
Pollen grains, insects stings of bees and others, animal fur dander, latex products such as condom, rubber, balloon, gloves, asthma are allergens to eczema.
Environmental factors can take different forms. A climatic condition with dry air, heat can make the skin to dry and increase sweating.
Some chemicals used in perfumes, soaps, dyes, disinfectants, detergents, sanitizers can trigger the symptoms of the disease.
Psychological factors
Psychological factor deals with stress and anxiety which could also trigger the symptoms or make it worse.
How to find out the causes of Eczema
Finding out the causes of the eczema you’re battling with it is not an easy task.
You need to take note of things you’re exposed to, and the area of the skin you’re experiencing the disease.
When you complain about eczema to your doc, you need to work with him by providing relevant answers to his questions.
You should look at where the skin rashes occur in your body.
For example, eczema on the earlobe or neck can be caused by costume jewelry – the trigger is then an allergy to nickel.
Eczema on your hand, palm, fingers, knuckles can be latex allergen from gloves. It can also be Chromium salts in leather and building materials.
It can as well be triggered by preservative used in cleaning agents and other products.
Eczema in your genital area can be latex allergy from condom.
Eczema around your eyes, nose and mouth can be from dyes and cosmetics such as parabens, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil.
Eczema in your leg, foot, ankle can be caused by Epoxy resin and Colophony used in adhesives for foot wears. It can also be caused be triggered by primroses, chamomile in plants.
Other triggers of eczema are Cobalt chloride used in metals with nickel, cement, ceramic paints, blue kohl.
Palladium used in gold and platinum alloys, and para-phenylenediamine used in printing ink, hair dyes etc.
An allergy test can also be used to find out the typical trigger of the skin condition.
Your doctor needs to apply various test substances (epicutaneous testing) to you and leave it for 48 hours.
In this way, he would be able to determine which substances the patient is allergic to.
While you’re on the treatment, it is important to avoid triggering allergen at all cost.