Triggers For Atopic Dermatitis Flare-Ups
Atopic dermatitis is a form of eczema that typically begins before the individual is five years old. Patients with this condition have flare-ups interspersed with periods of remission. Atopic dermatitis causes itchy rashes in skin folds and on areas such as the face, hands, arms, feet, and ankles. Patients could develop open sores, cracked skin, or scaly patches, and itching can introduce bacteria that might produce a skin infection. For some patients, symptoms can persist into adulthood. Individuals with atopic dermatitis typically work with a dermatologist to develop a treatment plan. Topical treatments, light therapy, wet wrap therapy, immunosuppressants, and biologics are a few of the treatment options that could be explored. Antibiotics may be necessary for patients who have skin infections.
Flare-ups of atopic dermatitis can be triggered by allergens and items in the patient's environment. Some of the most common triggers for flare-ups are discussed below.
Perfume And Makeup
Patients with atopic dermatitis might experience a flare-up after applying certain types of perfume and makeup. These cosmetics typically contain dyes, parabens, and petroleum-based ingredients that could cause skin redness, irritation, and dryness. Perfumes can be particularly problematic for patients with atopic dermatitis, as they can contain more than one hundred ingredients, many of which are not disclosed by the manufacturers. In fact, fragrances cause between thirty to forty-five percent of the reported reactions to cosmetic products. To reduce the risk of a flare-up when using perfume, patients might want to consider purchasing a fragrance that contains as few ingredients as possible or one marketed towards individuals with sensitive skin. It can be helpful to spray perfume on clothing instead of spraying it directly onto the skin. Patients with atopic dermatitis should perform a patch test before using any perfume. In terms of makeup, using organic products free from synthetic dyes and artificial preservatives may help. For example, some lipsticks and eyeshadows are now pigmented with fruit dyes, and these could provide a safer alternative for individuals with atopic dermatitis.
Uncover more triggers for flare-ups of atopic dermatitis now.
Certain Fabrics
Since atopic dermatitis damages the skin's surface, patients with this condition may find they are more susceptible to irritation from certain fabrics used in clothing or bedding. For example, wearing itchy fabrics like wool can cause patients to begin scratching the skin, and this could trigger a flare-up that includes open sores, skin weeping, and cracking. Patients may also be sensitive to other fabrics, including synthetic fabrics such as rayon, polyester, nylon, spandex, and acrylic. Thus, doctors suggest patients avoid these fabrics altogether.
Since every patient is different, finding fabrics that do not cause irritation normally requires a bit of experimentation. Generally, fabrics such as cotton and silk are less likely to cause skin irritation for atopic dermatitis patients. However, some patients find cotton creates friction on their skin, and some cotton is dyed with a potentially irritating chemical. While silk is a natural fabric, it contains a protein known as sericin that could cause allergies for some individuals. For patients who cannot tolerate sericin, a type of silk known as Dermasilk could be beneficial. Dermasilk is a loosely knitted fabric specifically treated to remove the sericin, and an antimicrobial agent is bonded to the fabric. Patients with this condition may want to keep a journal of fabrics they have tried, noting any irritation that occurs.
Read more about what can trigger atopic dermatitis flare-ups now.
Some Soaps and Detergents
Some soaps and detergents may be particularly irritating for patients with atopic dermatitis. Many soaps strip away the skin's natural oils, resulting in severe dryness. In addition, they may also contain chemicals such as formaldehyde, sulfates, and parabens, all of which could dry out the skin or cause itching and redness. When selecting soap for use in the bathtub, dermatologists recommend avoiding bubble bath (which may contain fragrance) and choosing a cleanser with colloidal oatmeal or other ingredients that could help heal and protect the skin's surface. Some laundry detergents contain synthetic fragrances, and they could also have bleach and other cleaning agents that are very harsh on the skin. Ideally, patients with atopic dermatitis should choose a laundry detergent designed for sensitive skin and that is free of any fragrances or dyes. Liquid detergents leave less residue than powder detergents do, and the use of liquid fabric softeners is recommended. Giving clothes a second rinse in the washer can help remove more of the residue detergents may leave behind, and this could reduce the risk of irritation.
Get more details on the common triggers for atopic dermatitis flare-ups now.
Stress
Although stress doesn't cause atopic dermatitis, patients with this condition could experience flare-ups during particularly stressful times. For example, itching and redness may be worse when a patient is under stress, and the process of treating the flare-ups with medication, bandages, and other treatments could be time-consuming and further increase a patient's stress, creating a vicious cycle. To reduce symptom severity during stressful periods, doctors recommend patients engage in stress management strategies. Reading a book, watching a movie, or chatting with friends could help distract patients from the itching and irritation they're experiencing, and these activities could reduce the urge to scratch, giving the inflammation time to calm. Since itching is often worse at night, creating a nighttime routine for stress relief and healthy sleep could be beneficial. Patients might want to take a short bath, apply moisturizer and any prescribed medicated creams, and listen to soothing music in a dimly lit room for half an hour before going to bed.
Keep reading to reveal more triggers for atopic dermatitis flare-ups now.
Pollen
Many patients with atopic dermatitis also have allergies to pollen. In fact, more than fifty percent of children with atopic dermatitis will develop hay fever, an allergy to pollen and dust mites, by the time they are thirteen years old. To cope with pollen allergies, patients with atopic dermatitis may want to consider having immunotherapy (either injections or pills) for their allergies. Using air conditioning in the home can help to reduce sweating and itching, and patients might want to shower and wash their hair in the evenings. Clothing worn for outdoor activities should not be brought into the patient's bedroom until it has been washed, and any equipment used outdoors should be stored in an outdoor shed or similar area.