What Causes Eczema?

A variety of things can cause or contribute to eczema.
Most commonly, the main cause of eczema is a general
allergy of sensitivity (www.medinfo.co.uk). This results
in atopic eczema and is associated with asthma and hay
fever.

Eczema can also result from skin contact with a substance
that irritates the skin. Substances such as laundry
detergents, soaps, diesel or engine oils, strong chemicals,
cleaners, etc. commonly cause skin inflammation for
individuals with eczema. Upon contact, the immune
system reacts and will cause the skin to become inflamed,
irritated, and very sore.

Varicose veins can also cause eczema. This form of eczema
affects the lower legs of individuals with poor circulation.

Some foods have also been known to cause eczema. This
varies from person to person. However, if the individual
has an idea what the problem food may be, doctors advise
them to remove the food from their diet and watch for
any improvement.

Emotional factors and stress levels can also aggravate eczema.
If a person is upset, the body and face often become red,
itchy, and hot. A high stress level can also cause eczema to
flare up.

Eczema follows a course with many ups and downs, particularly
associated with seasons and stress (Hall 80).

It can be possible to control or minimize your eczema by identifying
and isolating those triggers that are the cause of your eczema or
cause your eczema to worsen during an outbreak.