There are many different eczema types with many different causes. Some forms are believed to be triggered by allergens and irritants that are commonly found in most homes. In fact, many household substances can cause very severe eczema reactions. If you want to better control your eczema then it is important that you understand what triggers your condition.
Allergens and irritants are the two main eczema causes within your home. However, your body can have many different reactions to these triggers resulting in different forms of eczema. Sometimes a reaction happens on the outer surface of your skin. Other times, the reaction takes place internally and manifests itself within the different layers of your skin. In order to understand these triggers you should know more about the difference between internal and external reactions.
Although contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis are different in nature, they can both easily by triggered by household irritants and allergens. When an allergen or irritant touches the skin and causes an external reaction this is called contact dermatitis. You will typically get a red, inflamed, and itchy rash at the point of contact. When your immune system, agitated by a hormone imbalance or too much stress, encounters an irritant or allergen and causes an internal reaction within the layers of your skin, this is called atopic dermatitis. This type of rash is typically painful, swollen, itchy, and can appear anywhere on your body, not just at the point where you came in contact with the allergen or irritant.
Irritants are everywhere in your home. Some are in the air you breathe, like cigarette smoke and air fragrances. There are also unusual irritants in your home such as onion or pepper fumes from food preparation and cooking. If you have a humidifier in your home, then you should make sure you are using only distilled water in the machine or you may be exposing yourself to chemicals, like chlorine, from the water in the humid air.
Some of your common household chemicals are also eczema irritants. Laundry detergents, fabric softeners, nail varnish, and latex products are just some of the common household chemical irritants. If you have already checked these irritants and still have eczema, then you should check many of the items you use regularly. Bedding made from synthetic fibers and beauty products are also known to contain eczema irritants.
Allergens are most likely either consumable or environmental. Nuts, berries, dairy, and other similar foods should always be your first suspects. Some foods, like peanuts and strawberries, are known to cause both internal and external eczema.
Home environment allergens may be more difficult to control, but not impossible to control. The more common allergens in your home are dust mites, pet dander and hair, mold, and mildew. As you may have guessed, most of these can be controlled with regular cleaning that includes a good quality vacuum cleaner. You may also find that you need to invest in an air filter to remove these allergens from your home.
Do not be overwhelmed by the number of potential eczema triggers in your home. Your eczema is probably only triggered by one or two of them and this makes it easier to control. It should not be too difficult for you to identify your trigger and remove it from you home. Your best form of treatment will be to eliminate the irritants and allergens in your home that cause your eczema. - 30453
Allergens and irritants are the two main eczema causes within your home. However, your body can have many different reactions to these triggers resulting in different forms of eczema. Sometimes a reaction happens on the outer surface of your skin. Other times, the reaction takes place internally and manifests itself within the different layers of your skin. In order to understand these triggers you should know more about the difference between internal and external reactions.
Although contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis are different in nature, they can both easily by triggered by household irritants and allergens. When an allergen or irritant touches the skin and causes an external reaction this is called contact dermatitis. You will typically get a red, inflamed, and itchy rash at the point of contact. When your immune system, agitated by a hormone imbalance or too much stress, encounters an irritant or allergen and causes an internal reaction within the layers of your skin, this is called atopic dermatitis. This type of rash is typically painful, swollen, itchy, and can appear anywhere on your body, not just at the point where you came in contact with the allergen or irritant.
Irritants are everywhere in your home. Some are in the air you breathe, like cigarette smoke and air fragrances. There are also unusual irritants in your home such as onion or pepper fumes from food preparation and cooking. If you have a humidifier in your home, then you should make sure you are using only distilled water in the machine or you may be exposing yourself to chemicals, like chlorine, from the water in the humid air.
Some of your common household chemicals are also eczema irritants. Laundry detergents, fabric softeners, nail varnish, and latex products are just some of the common household chemical irritants. If you have already checked these irritants and still have eczema, then you should check many of the items you use regularly. Bedding made from synthetic fibers and beauty products are also known to contain eczema irritants.
Allergens are most likely either consumable or environmental. Nuts, berries, dairy, and other similar foods should always be your first suspects. Some foods, like peanuts and strawberries, are known to cause both internal and external eczema.
Home environment allergens may be more difficult to control, but not impossible to control. The more common allergens in your home are dust mites, pet dander and hair, mold, and mildew. As you may have guessed, most of these can be controlled with regular cleaning that includes a good quality vacuum cleaner. You may also find that you need to invest in an air filter to remove these allergens from your home.
Do not be overwhelmed by the number of potential eczema triggers in your home. Your eczema is probably only triggered by one or two of them and this makes it easier to control. It should not be too difficult for you to identify your trigger and remove it from you home. Your best form of treatment will be to eliminate the irritants and allergens in your home that cause your eczema. - 30453
