What causes eczema?

If you or a family member has red, inflamed skin that’s, itchy, sore and weeping, it’s likely you are part of our sad national statistic, which reports that 20% of New Zealand children and a large number off Kiwi adults suffer from eczema.

Eczema and other irritating dry-skin conditions, such as psoriasis, are a real and miserable concern for people of all ages – the itching and irritation, the broken skin, the sores and the self-consciousness are all things that affect people who suffer from these conditions.

In many instances such conditions can be inherited, but let’s look at some of the causes and aggravators of an eczema outbreak:

1. Damaged skin barrier

Infection, lack of essential nutrients and fatty acids, environmental factors, stress and even those pesky hormones can cause dry, itchy skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. These conditions appear as a result of the immune system’s over-reaction to the irritant.

2. Loss of your natural skin microflora

Just like your digestive system, your skin has a natural skin microflora, made up of good bacteria (like probiotics), which prevent the build up of bad bacteria.

When the balance of good bacteria on your skin is lost, your immune system reacts with red, itchy inflamed skin.

Without the good bacteria, your skin is vulnerable to infection, which sets you up for a vicious cycle of sleep loss and itchy discomfort, scratching, infections and further inflammation.

3. Your genetics

Unfortunately, genetics can make our immune system oversensitive, causing our skin to react to even the slightest irritant. You’re more susceptible to outbreaks if you share a family history of suffering.

 

Treating your eczema

What you can do to reduce eczema symptoms:

  • Steer clear of triggers, whether that’s something like dairy, wool, soy, or dust
  • Keep weeping sores covered with a light dressing if required, but air dry when you can to keep infections at bay
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Keep hot baths/showers and actual washing of the affected area to a minimum
  • Keep your skin moisturised with an all-natural product such as Atopis Dry Itchy Skin Cream

In summer, Vitamin D from the sun and sea water swims in small doses can also help, but don’t overdo it.

In winter, some people find relief from a tepid bath followed by cream liberally patted onto the skin. Remember to only sleep in 100 per cent cotton nightwear and sheets. Also make sure you are keeping the bedroom as cool and ventilated as possible.

We know eczema and dry skin conditions can ruin people’s quality of life, their confidence and, at times, can be very painful. This is what drove us to find a solution. We were also particularly worried about small children and babies and the stressful affect of their suffering on both parents and children. Our research found that Atopis soothes and calms the skin, leaving skin feeling hydrated, soft and smooth, no matter what age the user.
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Dr Iona Weir has created an all-natural cream, free from steroids and other chemicals, so that it is suitable for use by anyone, even on the new and hyper-sensitive skin of babies.

Atopis works in synergy with your immune system so you stop reacting to allergens and environmental triggers. It’s also so non-toxic and made from natural food-grade ingredients that it’s safe to use on small children and animals.

Within two weeks of use, this potent, all-natural therapy reverses the cell damage, and hydrates and restores the skin so the itching stops and the healing begins. Learn more about our clinically proven Dry Itchy Skin Cream by clicking on the product below.