If you suffer from eczema, you may notice that your symptoms seem to get worse during autumn and winter. And not only can eczema get worse in winter, but asthma too. You see, eczema and asthma are both chronic inflammatory conditions that can make symptoms worse during the cooler months There are a few possible explanations for this.
Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry, and cracked, while asthma causes inflammation in the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Both conditions are exacerbated by cold weather and dry air, which can strip moisture from the skin and irritate the airways.
In addition, eczema is often triggered by allergies, and pollen levels are typically higher in the fall and winter. For these reasons, people with eczema or asthma may find their symptoms worsen during autumn and winter.
Allergies are more common in the fall
One reason is that allergies are more common in the fall, and allergies can trigger eczema and asthma flare-ups. Mould and pollen are very common allergies linked to asthma and eczema, and with the leaves from the trees falling and decaying in the autumnal months, the mould spores in the air are much higher than the rest of the year.
Cold, dry weather makes skin more irritated
Another reason why eczema is worse in the cooler months is that cold, dry weather can cause the skin to become irritated and inflamed, which leads to it getting dry and craked, which in turns triggers an eczema flare-up.
Indoor heating systems dry out the skin
Dry air combined with indoor heating systems can dry out your skin. We tend to crank up the heating in our homes far too high in the winter months, which can lead to your skin losing its hydration and it can no longer stay moist. Eczema flare-ups can also be caused by taking hot baths, since hot water can damage the outer layer of skin that holds in moisture, or from using too many bed coverings.
9 Steps to protect your skin during winter
Whatever the cause, there are a few things you can do to ease your eczema during these months. Be sure to moisturize regularly, avoid triggers like harsh soaps and detergents, and dress in warm, comfortable clothing. If your symptoms persist despite these measures, talk to your doctor about other options such as medication or light therapy.
- Keep all of the rooms in your home at a regular temperature that isn’t too high (18°C is ideal) and wear thin layers that you can slowly build up or remove as you acclimatise to your surroundings.
- Central heatingstrips moisture from the air. Place a bowl of water near radiators to offset this drying effect and minimise the impact on your skin.
- It’s important not to sit too close to a heat source and to ensure instead that the whole room is warm, supplementing this with additional clothing or blankets as required.
- Throw your windows open daily and give your home a blast of fresh air to prevent house dust mites from thriving and to prevent mould growth.
- Perfect your winter skincare routine and use shea butter on your body regularly to keep your skin hydrated and moisturised.
- Keep your home clean and free of allergens. Damp dust hard surfaces, establish a regular vacuum-cleaning routine that includes carpets, rugs, mattresses, curtains and other soft furnishings, and make a note if something needs an additional deep clean, either by yourself or a specialist company.
- Choose soft fabrics that are seamfree and ensure that items that are directly in contact with your skin – underwear, nightwear, tights and socks – are as close to 100% cotton as you can find. Avoid scratchy materials that may aggravate your eczema.
- If you enjoy gardening, be aware that mould spores found in damp places such as compost heaps and piles of fallen leaves could aggravate your eczema and lead to a flare-up. Ensure your exposed skin is protected, with clothing.
- As colds and flu can exacerbate eczema, it pays to take extra precautions with your general health, as well as your skin. Eat a healthy diet, get plenty of rest and maintain good hand hygiene, especially in public places or if you have been in contact with someone who is unwell.
Take extra care of yourself in winter
For these reasons, people with eczema or asthma may find their symptoms worsen during autumn and winter. However, there are several things that can be done to help ease symptoms, such as using a humidifier to add moisture to the air or wearing layers of clothing to protect the skin from the cold, and ensuring your skin is well hydrated and moisturised.
You can also take allergy medication to help with allergic reactions. It’s important to take extra care of yourself during autumn and winter if you do suffer from eczema or asthma. With proper care, eczema and asthma can be managed even during the harshest months of the year.