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Eczema

Eczema, most often atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that comes and goes in flares of red, dry patches that itch intensely, sometimes weeping then crusting. It is very common, often begins in childhood, and frequently keeps company with asthma and allergies.

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What Is Happening in Eczema-Prone Skin

Eczema comes from two problems feeding each other. The outer skin acts as a sealed wall, held together by a key cement protein called filaggrin. In eczema-prone skin, filaggrin is often deficient, so the wall leaks water and lets irritants and allergens slip through. The immune system then over-reacts, driving inflammation and intense itch.

What triggers eczema?

Eczema is not caused by poor hygiene. At its root is a barrier that leaks and an immune system that over-responds, but specific everyday factors set off the flares. Understanding these triggers helps explain why eczema waxes and wanes, and why managing it means both protecting the skin and calming the inflammation behind each flare.

A Faulty Skin Barrier

The outer layer of skin is meant to be a watertight wall. When filaggrin, the protein that cements surface cells together and holds in water, is in short supply, the wall turns porous. Water escapes, leaving skin dry, while irritants, allergens and microbes get in more easily, setting the stage for inflammation.

An Over-Reactive Immune Response

Faced with those intruders, the immune system triggers an allergic-type inflammation, releasing messengers such as IL-4, IL-13 and IL-31. These keep the itch going and, importantly, weaken filaggrin even further, so the barrier degrades more. That two-way damage is what turns an occasional irritation into a chronic, recurring condition.

The Itch-Scratch Cycle

Scratching brings a second of relief, but it physically damages the barrier and releases more inflammatory messengers, so the area itches even more. This self-feeding loop is the engine of eczema's chronic nature, and breaking it gently, rather than scratching, is central to keeping flares calmer.

External and Environmental Triggers

Flares are commonly set off by stripping soaps, dry winter cold, heat and sweat, stress, allergens such as dust mites and pollen, certain fabrics like wool, and skin infections. Because triggers vary from person to person, identifying your own is a useful step in understanding your flare pattern.

Climate and moisture imbalance

Cold weather, low humidity and excessive heat can disrupt skin hydration and worsen eczema symptoms. Dry environmental conditions may increase moisture loss, while sweating and heat can trigger itching and irritation, contributing to flare-ups and increased skin discomfort.

How to Prevent

Restore the Barrier Daily

Generous, regular use of emollients and moisturizers is the foundation of eczema care. By helping the outer layer hold onto water, they support a stronger barrier so it leaks less and lets fewer irritants in, even between flares when skin looks calm.

Identify and Limit Triggers

Once you know what tends to set off your flares, whether harsh cleansers, dry cold, certain fabrics or stress, limiting exposure is one of the most practical ways to live with eczema. Gentle, fragrance-free products and lukewarm rather than hot water are a sensible starting point.

Be Gentle, Especially During Flares

Active eczema means a barrier that is already fragile. Aggressive aesthetic procedures such as peels, lasers and microneedling are generally avoided on inflamed skin, and harsh scrubbing or hot showers can make matters worse. A gentle, soothing routine protects the skin while it recovers.

Seek Medical Guidance for Flares

When inflammation flares, a physician or dermatologist can prescribe medical treatment to calm it, from topical options to therapies reserved for more severe forms. Because eczema is chronic, the goal is steady control over time, not a one-time fix, guided by ongoing medical follow-up.

Professional treatment support

Persistent or severe eczema may benefit from professional evaluation to identify triggers, assess skin barrier health and develop an appropriate treatment plan. A personalized approach can help reduce flare-ups, improve comfort and support long-term skin stability.

Private Aesthetic Dermatology

Our private dermatology consultation, not covered by government insurance, is offered with or without a physician referral according to your province's regulations.

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