There are as many different causes of eczema as there are eczema types. Some types are triggered by common household allergens and irritants. In fact, your home probably has substances in it that are known to cause very severe eczema reactions. Controlling eczema is important and therefore it is also important that you understand what triggers your condition.
There are essentially two different types of eczema causes in your home, allergens and irritants. However, these triggers can affect your body in many different ways and cause different forms of eczema. Some reactions happen on the surface of the skin where some reactions take place internally and show symptoms within your skin. To better understand how these allergens and irritants trigger your eczema you should first know the differences between the internal and external reactions.
Contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis are very different in nature, but both forms are very likely to be triggered by household irritants and allergens. Contact dermatitis is an external reaction which occurs when the skin touches an allergen or irritant. The red, inflamed, and itchy rash normally occurs at the point of contact. Atopic dermatitis results from an internal reaction by the immune system to an irritant or allergen. When your immune system interacts with the trigger, and typically another component such as irregular hormones or stress-related toxins, the result is an eczema outbreak on your skin that is painful, swollen, and itchy. This rash can occur anywhere on your skin, not just at the spot where you contacted the allergen or irritant.
Irritants can be anywhere in your home. It may be in the air, such as cigarette smoke or air fragrances. Some of the more unusual airborne irritants in your home may be onion or pepper fumes from cooking and food preparation. Also, if you regularly use a humidifier you should check that you use only purified, distilled water in the machine to prevent exposure to water-based chemicals, like chlorine, in the humid air.
You may also find your irritant in some of your common household chemicals. The more common household chemical irritants are found in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, nail varnish, and latex products. If you have already checked these products and are still having occurrences of eczema, then you should check some of the items you use on a regular basis. Synthetic fibers within bedding and beauty products can often be an irritant to your eczema.
Allergens tend to either be consumable or environmental in nature. Foods like nuts, berries, and dairy should always be your primary suspects. Certain foods, like peanuts and strawberries, are known to cause both internal and external eczemas.
Allergens in your home environment are sometimes more difficult to control, but not impossible. Some of the more common allergens are dust mites, pet hair and dander, mold, and mildew. Most of these can be controlled through regular cleaning, including a good quality vacuum cleaner. However, you may find that you also need 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.
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- Types Of Eczema
- Fingertip Eczema
- What Does Fingertip Eczema Look Like?
- What Is Vulvar Dermatitis?
- Which Foods Cause Eczema
Posted under Allergies
