Keeping it Simple: 5 home strategies for reducing eczema flare-ups

When the flare-ups keep happening, and you just feel stuck in the never ending itch, it’s easy to reach for creams or kick foods to the curb.

But have you considered your environment and home might be playing a role in keeping you (or your child) stuck in the eczema loop?

Sensitive skin can react to simple things that you might overlook like air quality, dust, harsh cleaners, heat, humidity and even certain fragrances. (Yes, even the ones that say ‘natural’ on the bottle.)

Here are some things to consider and tweak to get relief:

Fragrance free is best.

Fragrances are found in almost everything these days. Laundry detergents, body wash, linen sprays, air sprays, cleaning products… Even if they are not being directly sprayed or added onto the skin, they linger in the air or in fabrics and can often react with sensitive skin.

Switching to fragrance free options is one of the simplest and most effective ways to remove a a family’s worst hidden trigger.

Scented candles and sensitive skin don’t gel well.

Candles, diffusers, incense and air freshener sprays may make the home feel cosy and give ambience, but they add particles to the air that loves to cause havoc with sensitive skin.

Opting for scent-free ways to create ambience is best here so that you minimise the air pollution in the home. Remember: clean homes don’t have to smell of citrus or lavender. Smelling of nothing is also a sign of cleanliness.

De-clutter for better skin.

This isn’t just about objects and surfaces. Fabric and dust are best friends. Heavy curtains, shaggy rugs, cushions and piles of soft toys love to cling to dust. And it’s not always visible.

To minimise the effect, consider having these washed regularly. Or, where possible, minimise these dust traps where your child (or the person with the sensitive skin) sleeps and spends the most time. You don’t need a completely minimalist home, but softer options or increasing your cleaning of these can do wonders for break outs and flare-ups.

Anti-bacterial can be the enemy.

Anti-bacterial products are everywhere. It’s easy to think that skin conditions and anti-bacterial items go hand-in-hand. But the truth is that these products are often harsh and disrupt the already delicate balance of the skin microbiome in eczema sufferers. Making sure the skin microbiome is intact is important for healing and strengthening of that skin barrier.

Leave the anti-bacterial items for when they’re prescribed by a practitioner, and opt instead for gentle cleansers for your and/or your childs’ daily life.

Heat and humidity can be a problem.

Temperature and humidity can play a role in irritating already sensitive skin. Sure, living in a place like Australia comes with that issue daily, but there are ways to minimise the effect heat and humidity has on your or your child’s’ skin.

Think about bath and shower time. Or the temperature of the bedroom. Are these optimal?

Try lukewarm showers, keeping rooms cooler or even using the dehumidifying function on the air-conditioning unit (if you have one) to minimise those sticky days. Opt also for light, breathable bedding to minimise overheating at night and during nap times.

There is no need to overhaul your entire home and lifestyle to make these changes. Start small and introduce what you can, where you can.

Small, simple changes consistently over time can make a huge difference to the sensitive skin loop and take some of the pressure off the skin to allow it to heal more easily.

And if these are still not working, or you’re just at your wits end, you can always book a call with me to discuss better options for you and/or you loved ones.

There is life beyond the itch. Let me help you find it.

Belinda x