What causes Eczema?

No one really knows what causes eczema. However, we do know that people with eczema have skin that is different.

Normal skin pretty much takes care of itself, never really causing us too much trouble. It's the largest organ of your body, flexible, relatively waterproof, keeps you warm or cool by regulating body temperature, and protects you from tiny organisms and infections.

Skin affected by eczema is often dry and cracked, the protective outer layer of skin damaged. As a result, skin affected by eczema loses a lot of water, which interferes with the natural healing process.

Eczema and the immune system

Our immune system is very complex, and it works very hard to protect us. Once the white blood cells of our immune system are set into action, they release substances that cause inflammation. This inflammation causes redness to appear, as well as releasing other substances that can cause itching. Some researchers believe that people who have eczema also have a reduced threshold for the itch sensation. So, once your skin gets itchy, it's very hard to resist the urge to scratch.

Scratching damages your skin, causing more inflammatory substances to be produced that in turn causes more white blood cells to respond to this reaction. This increases the redness and itching, which makes it harder to resist scratching.

This process is known as the itch-scratch-rash cycle and it can become so severe that it causes sleeplessness, irritability, stress, thickening skin, and intense pain. Scratching can tear or scrape the skin, causing it to bleed and ooze, allowing bacteria to enter which can cause secondary infections to develop.

Generally, treatments like topical steroids and antihistamines work to relieve the symptoms of eczema once they have already appeared. Recently, a new treatment has just become available in Canada that doctors are considering a breakthrough in eczema therapy. This new treatment appears to prevent the release of the inflammatory substances that cause the red, itchy skin associated with eczema. This new treatment works to calm and control the skin's reaction. Talk with your doctor; they have more information about eczema treatments. You can find out more about topical calcineurin inhibitors under Treating Eczema in the New Treatments section.

What is an eczema 'flare-up'?

By nature, eczema symptoms come and go. At times, symptoms can be more severe, or the rash and itching can completely disappear for a long period. However, when symptoms suddenly reappear or become worse, it is called a 'flare-up'. A number of different factors appear to trigger 'flare-ups' of eczema.

'Flare-ups' happen when your skin comes in contact with irritants like soap, detergents, abrasive clothing (e.g. wool and synthetic fibers), perfume, carpet fibers, or dust. Overheating, excessive sweating, or low humidity can also trigger a 'flare-up'.

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This information can help you take control of eczema right now!