Eczema and Exercise: What Is the Correlation?
On the surface of the skin exists an oily barrier, and if this is cracked, the result is dry and sensitive skin. The causes for the ‘cracks’ are various: hereditary factors, allergies, age or excessive sun-bathing.
As a result of this the skin structure becomes weaker, and skin irritants such as cold temperature, artificial clothing, and chemical ingredients contained in most hair care products and skin creams become a bigger problem for the skin.
Skin diseases such as dermatitis, psoriasis, rashes, rosacea and eczema are also a threat when the skin structure is weakened.
Eczema
Skin that is dry, itchy, scaly and red is attributed to eczema. About 10-20% of the world’s population suffers from eczema. Extreme pain and an extreme desire to scratch at affected areas of the skin are common to people who suffer from eczema. Skin becomes scaly and in the worst cases eczema can cause pus-filled pustules, which can open up and ooze. Permanent damage can be the result.
Eczema and Sports
Sweating seems to trigger eczema in some people. When there is high humidity this is especially true.
Sweating is a natural reaction of the body as it helps to reduce its temperature when it gets too heated. But, sweat is salty and this dehydrates the skin, triggering eczema.
Here is a list of other factors in sports that can irritate the skin:
- Team sports t-shirts: sports jerseys are made of synthetic materials that make the skin sweat even more
- Hot showers after doing exercise: the hot water dries the skin further
- Using chemical based shampoo and soap: this dries the skin
- Swimming pools: the chlorine causes further skin irritation
- Bacteria: locker rooms are a haven for microorganisms, these cause infections in already weakened skin
- Lessened skin care: not showering enough after sweating or showering too many times in one day can also cause skin damage
1. Lower the number of times you work out, and the intensity of each session.
2. Switch to activities which do not cause so much sweating, such as pilates.
3. Exercise in well ventilated areas with low humidity.
4. Stick to natural skin care products. These types of products will impede further irritation.
Short of giving up sports completely, the best thing to do is to use only natural products.
The key to natural skin care is all natural yet potent ingredients. For dry skin relief choose products with naturally moisturizing elements such as rose hip oil. Known in South America for decades as ‘rosa mosqueta’, rose hip oil has been used to moisturize the driest skin. An excellent choice for an eczema treatment would include rose hip oil and a regenerative substance to stimulate new cell growth in damaged skin. Choose wisely when looking at all natural skin care products, not all of them work.













The skin care effects of Eczema can be tremendous on the individuals psyche. In addition, there’s no real cure for this irritating skin disorder that effects more the 20 millions North Americans.