“Hot water is rough on our skin and can irritate and damage our skin barrier. Patients with eczema already have a damaged skin barrier layer, and over time, hot showers just make it worse,” says Papri Sarkar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Brookline, Mass. She adds that her patients with eczema are sometimes extra tempted to take a hot shower because it can be temporarily soothing to their itchy skin. That short-term relief just exacerbates the issue, though, so turn the dial down to a lukewarm setting. “If you must take a hot shower, I suggest layering your skin with oil first to protect it a bit and keeping it hot only for a brief moment,” Dr. Sarkar advises. “If you see dry, flaky skin, listen to what your skin needs and give it hydration,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Exfoliating already-dry skin can lead to more harm than good. Instead, [use] a gentle, hydrating cleanser.” “You can’t control your genes, but you can control your skincare routine,” says Dr. Zeichner. “We know that the entire skin surface area is dry—not just areas where you have active eczema outbreaks—so regular application of a moisturizer is a must.” You should moisturize both morning and evening using a product formulated for sensitive skin. This often means a simple moisturizer without any active ingredients or known irritants, such as fragrances, dyes, alcohol, and essential oils. The National Eczema Association offers recommendations stamped with their seal of approval in a product directory. “Most diseases, skin and otherwise, flare with stress. This is especially true for inflammatory diseases like acne, psoriasis, and eczema,” she explains. “In this day and age, it’s almost impossible to avoid stress completely without going off grid, but if that isn’t an option (or desired), adding a de-stressing ritual to your day can help.” This looks different for everyone. Some people love yoga or meditation, others prefer a walk through the forest or intense cardio. Dr. Sarkar says to figure out what does lower your cortisol levels and lean into it for a little bit every day. “Allergens really exacerbate eczema,” warns Dr. Sarkar. “Patients with eczema are more likely to have other allergies to things like pets, pollen, dust, and foods. Having contact with those things—especially in long or high doses—tends to flare eczema so I recommend avoiding them as much as possible.”
