Atopic dermatitis — the most common type of eczema — is a chronic condition that causes skin inflammation and irritation. Atopic dermatitis symptoms often come in waves of flares and remission. Flares occur when eczema symptoms are triggered, while remission involves improvement or resolution of symptoms.

MyEczemaTeam members sometimes look to their community for help identifying the cause of their flares. One member shared, “Woke up completely covered in a rough, itchy, and inflamed rash. Can’t figure out what triggered the flare.” Another said, “I’m on a healthy diet, take all of my vitamins, and exercise, but I have itchy patches on my calves and feet. Is it food allergies? I’ve switched my detergent as well. I’m at my wit’s end!”

People living with this type of eczema are often affected differently and have flares “triggered” by different things. Identifying your specific triggers can be difficult in part due to a delay in the time between trigger (exposure) and skin irritation. When trying to figure out your eczema triggers, it can be helpful to keep in mind common causes of skin inflammation in people living with atopic dermatitis.

“Woke up completely covered in a rough, itchy, and inflamed rash. Can’t figure out what triggered the flare.”

— A MyEczemaTeam member

Here are 10 common triggers to keep in mind if you have atopic dermatitis.

1. Dry Skin

One common trigger of atopic dermatitis flares is dry skin. Skin that is too dry can easily become rough, scaly, or brittle, which can lead to an eczema flare. Adopting a skin care routine can help to prevent eczema flares caused by dry skin.

To help reduce dry skin caused by bathing, try the following:

• Bathe daily using water that is warm, but not hot. Hot water dries your skin out.
• Limit showers or baths to a maximum of 10 minutes.
• Gently pat your skin dry with a towel.
• Wash with a gentle, nonsoap cleanser.
• Moisturize within three minutes of bathing, while your skin is still damp.

Moisturizing is especially important for combating dryness. Try to moisturize at least twice daily. Products that help your skin retain moisture include ointments, creams, lotions, and shea butter. Petroleum jelly may help prevent atopic dermatitis in babies.

2. Stress

One MyEczemaTeam member asked, “Could stress be a component of my eczema?”

Emotional stress is another common trigger for atopic dermatitis. Stress can trigger atopic dermatitis because it produces inflammation in the body. Some people may see their symptoms worsen when they feel stressed. In a vicious cycle, others may be stressed because they have eczema, which can in turn worsen their inflammation.

Some practices that may help reduce stress and related eczema symptoms include:

• Deep breathing exercises with soft music or nature sounds
• Yoga or tai chi
• Guided meditation
• Walks in nature
• Distraction with creative activities, such as writing or baking

If your child has eczema, try to help them manage their stress. Things that may help children deal with stress may include exercise, deep breathing, and talking with a counselor.

People cope with stress differently. Explore a wide variety of activities and lifestyle modifications to help manage your stress.

3. Household Products

Many household products can trigger inflammation in people living with atopic dermatitis.

Everyday products that may irritate your skin include:

• Soap, shampoo, body wash, exfoliating scrubs, and bubble bath
• Laundry detergent
• Perfume
• Surface cleaners and disinfectants

The National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance is granted to products that have been tested to ensure they are free from irritants and allergens known to cause eczema flares. Product ingredients that may trigger atopic dermatitis include:

• Added fragrance
• Certain chemicals, including bacitracin, lidocaine, and formaldehyde
• Chemical absorbers of ultraviolet (UV) light

If you think a household product is causing your eczema flare, try removing it from your home. Some MyEczemaTeam members have found relief from eczema flare symptoms after swapping out soaps, laundry detergents, and other household products.

Some MyEczemaTeam members have found relief from atopic dermatitis flare symptoms after swapping out soaps, laundry detergents, and other household products.

If you are looking for a new household product, the National Eczema Association maintains a directory of products that have earned its Seal of Acceptance.

4. Climate

Some MyEczemaTeam members wonder: Does heat trigger eczema? It turns out that different climates can affect people with atopic dermatitis. Climate factors that may trigger flares include:

• Extreme heat or cold
• Dry or humid weather
• Change in seasons
• Altitude

Prolonged exposure to certain environmental factors can also trigger atopic dermatitis flares. To mitigate eczema symptoms, try reducing your exposure to:

• Saltwater
• Hot water
• Chlorine
• Skin yeast
• Staph bacteria

If your eczema is triggered by heat and sweat, try to find ways to keep cool. If your atopic dermatitis is triggered by dry weather, be sure to moisturize at least twice daily.

5. Environmental Allergens

Allergens present in our environment can also trigger atopic dermatitis flares. One MyEczemaTeam member suspected their “foster Labrador might be triggering their eczema.”

The body’s reactions to environmental allergens can vary. Some potential eczema triggers to look out for include:

• Dust mites and cockroaches
• Cigarette smoke
• Insect bites and bee stings
• Pollen
• Pet dander

Mold is another environmental allergen that can cause eczema symptoms in some people.

If you suspect your environment is to blame for your eczema flare-up, try to avoid the suspected allergen. Remove any known allergens from your home. If your child is affected by these allergens, do your best to help them avoid the cause of their eczema flare.

6. Clothing

Certain fabrics may also be to blame for your flare of atopic dermatitis. Nonorganic materials, such as polyester, can be irritating when worn next to the skin. Rough organic fabrics, such as wool, can trigger eczema flares due to their coarse texture. If fabrics trigger your atopic dermatitis, try to avoid wearing the offending material.

Adults and children with eczema should try to do the following:

• Wear breathable clothes, such as those made with cotton, bamboo, lyocell, or silk.
• Avoid irritating or harsh fabrics, like wool and polyester.

7. Metals

Another potential culprit of atopic dermatitis flares is metals. Metals that can trigger eczema flares include:

• Nickel
• Gold
• Copper
• Chromium cobalt
• Chloride

Several MyEczemaTeam members have commented that they either have or suspect that they have a nickel allergy. If you suspect nickel may be triggering your eczema symptoms, you can try this DIY nickel allergy test.

If you believe metals are triggering your symptoms, avoid the irritating metal as much as possible.

8. Diet

People living with atopic dermatitis sometimes suspect that their flares are related to certain foods.

Many MyEczemaTeam members have commented on the relationship between their eczema flares and their diet. “Everything I eat is irritating my skin,” one member posted.

Another commented, “Woke up with a flare-up today. I’m going to try an elimination diet to see if I can determine which foods are my triggers.”

Food allergies can be eczema triggers in some people. A few food allergies that commonly trigger eczema flare-ups include peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat, and soy. Babies and children may notice that their flare-ups are triggered by foods, such as milk or eggs. Consult with your child’s health care provider about how to determine possible food allergies.

Food allergies can be eczema triggers in some people.

The National Eczema Association offers resources to learn about the connections between eczema and diet, as well as tips for discovering and avoiding potential food triggers.

Also, remember to make sure you are drinking enough water to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can help to moisturize your skin from the inside out.

9. Hormones

For some people living with atopic dermatitis, hormones can trigger symptoms. Estrogen and progesterone levels can affect the skin barrier and produce symptoms of eczema.

According to the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, women may experience flare-ups due to hormonal changes that occur before their period. As one member of MyEczemaTeam shared: “I’ve noticed I have flare-ups about a week before my period.”

Hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause are also associated with this type of eczema. Another member posted about hormonal issues, saying: “Did anyone have problems post-pregnancy? I am nine months postpartum and breastfeeding. My eczema has never been this bad!”

Lower testosterone levels can potentially contribute to drier skin and make conditions like eczema worse, although the relationship is complex and influenced by various factors.

If you suspect your eczema flare-ups are related to hormones, consult with your health care provider.

10. Skin Infections

Skin infections, such as staph infections, can sometimes trigger eczema flares. Having too much Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the skin can displace good bacteria and disrupt the skin barrier. A weak skin barrier function can result in an immune system response, such as inflammation and other symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

Infection is also a common complication of atopic dermatitis due to the breaking of the skin by repeated scratching.

Contact your health care provider if you notice any signs of skin infection. Some signs of infection that the American Academy of Dermatology has identified include:

• Pus-filled blisters
• Swollen, painful bumps
• Crusted eczema, typically orange or yellow
• Symptoms unresponsive to usual treatment

Find Your Team

MyEczemaTeam is the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones. On MyEczemaTeam, more than 54,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.

Are you living with eczema? Do you know your eczema triggers? Do you have tips on how to manage itchy skin and other symptoms of an eczema flare? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.