Eczema affects up to 10% of children, with most outgrowing it by their teens. Adult eczema is more common than most people realise.
One in five women develop hand or face eczema from product reactions, most commonly after 30. The name itself comes from Greek, meaning "to boil over", which makes sense when you see how quickly flare-ups can appear.
The symptoms are unmistakable. Red, inflamed patches that feel dry yet somehow manage to blister and weep. Skin that itches relentlessly and flakes because it can't hold onto moisture. Most commonly appearing on elbows, behind knees, fronts of ankles, hands, wrists, or neck.
Despite being so common, eczema is surrounded by persistent myths. Here's what's actually true.
Myth 1: You can catch eczema from someone else
This is completely wrong and potentially harmful. Eczema is not contagious. Full stop.
You can't catch an autoimmune condition by touching someone, sharing towels, or any other form of contact. It's biologically impossible. What you can inherit is the predisposition. If your family has a history of allergic conditions (hay fever, asthma, eczema), you're more likely to develop it too. But that's genetics, not contagion.
Myth 2: Eczema means you're not washing properly
If anything, the opposite is true. Many eczema sufferers over-wash affected areas, desperately trying to relieve the itch. This strips away the skin's natural protective oils, making everything worse.
Eczema has nothing to do with hygiene. It's triggered by a complex mix of environmental, genetic, and immunity factors. Common culprits include:
Stress and hormonal changes. Irritants in soaps, detergents, and synthetic fragrances. Certain fabrics against the skin (wool and synthetics are notorious). Changes in temperature or humidity.
For those trying to identify their specific triggers, keeping a symptom diary can help pinpoint patterns.
Myth 3: Diet has nothing to do with eczema
This outdated advice ignores the gut-skin connection entirely. As an inflammatory condition, eczema frequently responds to dietary triggers.
Dairy and refined sugar are the usual suspects, both known to increase inflammation throughout the body. Many sufferers also report improvements when reducing highly acidic foods and excess meat consumption. The mechanism is straightforward: certain foods trigger inflammatory cascades that manifest as skin flare-ups.
That said, dietary triggers are highly individual. What sets off one person's eczema might be perfectly fine for another. An elimination diet under professional guidance can help identify your specific triggers.
Managing eczema-prone skin
Knowing what doesn't cause eczema helps, but managing it requires the right approach:
Keep it gentle. Switch to fragrance-free, certified organic cleansers that won't strip your skin. Our Light Work removes everything without disturbing the skin barrier.
Repair the barrier. Eczema-prone skin struggles to retain moisture. Look for ceramide-rich formulas that help rebuild barrier function. The C-2 Believe contains vitamin C ester and omega-rich sea buckthorn to strengthen compromised skin.
Calm inflammation. Anti-inflammatory ingredients like chamomile and calendula can help soothe active flare-ups. Our The Anthemis uses CO2-extracted German chamomile for maximum anti-inflammatory potency.
Patch test everything. Even the gentlest products can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. Always patch test new products on a small area first.
When to seek help
While many manage eczema successfully with the right skincare and lifestyle adjustments, persistent or severe cases warrant professional help. A dermatologist can prescribe treatments beyond what's available over the counter and help identify underlying triggers you might have missed.
Remember, eczema might be common, but that doesn't mean you have to accept it as inevitable. Understanding the real causes (and dismissing the myths) is the first step to calmer, more comfortable skin.
