Eczema is a common skin condition that can show up on different areas of your body. If you have eczema on your stomach, many factors could be causing it. Treatment, along with identifying triggers, can help bring you some relief.
Eczema on the stomach can be particularly irritating, as the location means it may rub against waistbands and is generally covered by clothing that can further irritate the skin.
However, there are steps you can take to help manage the condition and protect your skin. This can include choosing clothing and fabrics carefully, ensuring the area is well moisturized, and applying appropriate topical treatments.
Eczema is a complex condition, and often there is not one single cause.
However, certain factors are common contributors to a flare up, so identifying if any apply to you can help you on your way to reducing symptoms.
Fragrances and perfumes are a common cause of many types of allergic reactions, including eczema. They can be found in a huge variety of everyday products, and it’s often a good place to start if you are experiencing an eczema flare up.
Some people may find that they tolerate fragrances at other times, but need to cut down on exposure when their skin is experiencing a flare up.
Products you may want to remove or replace with fragrance-free versions include:
- deodorant
- washing powder
- shampoo and conditioner
- body wash
- body creams and moisturizers
- makeup
You might also choose to forgo wearing perfume during this flare up or alternatively, wear a small amount on your clothes rather than directly on your skin.
Some people with eczema find that certain metals, particularly nickel, can cause a flare up of symptoms. Eczema on the stomach may be a reaction to nickel in the button of your trousers, for example, as this may contain metal. A belt buckle is another common source of nickel that could cause a skin reaction.
If you suspect this could be the case, it’s a good idea to choose clothing that does not have metal in this area.
If you have eczema on your stomach, you may wish to make some clothing swaps. For example, items with looser, softer waistbands may offer more comfort, or you could opt for garments such as dresses, dungarees, or all-in-ones to reduce friction in this area.
Less material around your midsection can also help prevent any materials with washing powder residues on them from being in such close contact with your skin.
Additionally, keeping tops untucked can help prevent too much material from gathering at your waist and stomach area, potentially causing rubbing and sweating.
You’ll also want to make sure your stomach area does not overheat, as sweat can be a trigger for some people. Choose breathable fabrics that are appropriate for the climate. Layering can help give you more control over your body temperature.
Though pets are undoubtedly a great source of joy, the dander and fluff they carry can also contribute to eczema in some people.
If you have pets, try grooming them often — outside is best — to remove the loose fur and stop shedding in the home. You can also bathe them regularly, which can help this process and remove other allergens they may have brought in from outside.
Additionally, try to wash their bedding frequently and vacuum regularly to keep dander buildup to a minimum. This is also a great way to remove dust mites, which are another potential trigger of eczema.
Learn more about dog allergies and cat allergies.
Though it’s easier said than done, keeping stress at a manageable level can help with eczema.
Stress has been shown to correlate with worsening eczema flares, and though it is not the sole cause of eczema, many people do find stress to be a contributing factor.
Some of these simple stress reduction techniques may be helpful to you.
Some people find their eczema flares up when they are ill or feeling run down. If this is the case, resting and treating your illness is likely to also bring relief from eczema.
In the meantime, use eczema treatments to help manage your symptoms.
Although there are many factors that may contribute to eczema on the stomach, there are steps you can take to help identify potential triggers and reduce or eliminate them.
It’s possible that a combination of factors is causing your flare-up, so you may need to work your way down this list and go through a bit of trial and error.
However, just removing the cause is not always enough to stop a flare up once it has started. Learning potential causes may help you prevent a future flare, but it’s also important to treat your symptoms with topical treatments from your pharmacy or doctor.