If you suffer with eczema, you know all about the itchy, red, irritated skin, and you may even know what triggers an outbreak for you, such as stress or a certain brand of soap. Unfortunately, there are some irritants that are harder to control than others, even in your own home. Read on for some information on things in your own home that you may not even realize are making your eczema flare up.
Mold
Mold is found anywhere things are damp, from the bathroom to a pile of wet rags. Certain types of mold can trigger allergies, asthma, and eczema, especially in the colder months. To prevent mold from becoming an irritant, make sure that rooms are not allowed to get too humid by increasing ventilation, and make sure to get rid of any moisture before mold has a chance to form.
Hard water
This one may surprise you, but it is thought that hard water can damage the skin and lead to eczema outbreaks. If your town has hard water, an ion-exchange softener can help to improve your water – however, this can be rather expensive. You can also try adding baking soda or bath salts to bath water, which is a little less pricey!
Dust mites
These microscopic bugs leave droppings that have been shown to trigger eczema. Constant cleaning is the answer. Wash bed linens often, wipe down hard surfaces every day, and vacuum a few times a week to get rid of them.
Your bedding
Your choice of bedding can increase the number of dust mites and/or cause you to get too hot at night, both of which can lead to an eczema flare up. Get rid of bedding made from synthetic materials, as dust mite levels seem to be higher in these types of bedding, and use 100% cotton sheets to help keep you cool at night.
It may be impossible to avoid everything that triggers your eczema, but if you know what these triggers are, you can take steps to at least reduce your contact with these irritants. For help with eczema, call Skin Care Research. Contact them today, at (561) 948-3116.
