Cause 9. Sweat: The Salty Irritant
Sweat – it’s a perfectly natural process that helps us cool down when we’re hot, anxious, or engaged in strenuous activity. While sweating is necessary and healthy, for those with eczema, it can turn into a salty irritant. So, let’s dive in to understand how something as innocuous as sweat can incite an eczema flare-up.
The answer lies in sweat’s composition and our skin’s unique characteristics. Sweat isn’t just water. It’s a mix of water, salt, and other minerals expelled from our sweat glands. Now, while this salty concoction is great for cooling us down, it’s not as friendly to our skin. In fact, it can be downright irritating, especially for those with eczema.
Here’s the rub – when sweat evaporates, it leaves behind a residue of salt and minerals on the skin. These can draw moisture out of the skin, leaving it dry, itchy, and more susceptible to eczema flare-ups. Furthermore, the salt can also irritate the skin, leading to increased redness and inflammation – two primary symptoms of eczema.(9)
