man in jeans scratching arm

Why Does My Eczema Keep Spreading?

So, your eczema keeps spreading? Having eczema in one place is bad enough but when it spreads to other areas, it can be extremely frustrating and uncomfortable. The good news is, there are natural treatment options available to help you manage symptoms and prevent eczema spreading on the body.

In this blog, you’ll find important information on all things eczema, including:

  • What exactly is eczema?
  • Causes and symptoms of eczema
  • Natural remedies for managing your skin

Read on to learn how to stop spreading eczema all over your body so that you can enjoy happier and healthier skin.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that affects roughly 10-20% of the population. It’s characterized by red patches that may also be dry, scaly, inflamed, and extremely itchy. It usually develops during childhood but can appear at any age. The chronic skin condition affects people of all skin colors and ethnicities. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. 

What Causes Eczema?

The exact cause of eczema still remains a mystery. That said, it’s believed to be linked to genetic and environmental factors:

  • Stress
  • Certain foods
  • Fabrics like nylon and latex (textile dermatitis
  • Pet fur
  • Contact with chemicals found in beauty products or household products
  • Exposure to dry, cold air
  • Family history of eczema

Symptoms of eczema

Symptoms of eczema may vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. Common symptoms of eczema may include:

  • Itchiness (pruritus)
  • Dryness
  • Cracked skin
  • Oozing
  • Crusting
  • Scaling
  • Thickened skin
  • Blisters or raised bumps
  • Red rash

Why Does Eczema Spread?

Scratching

We get it–eczema is itchy! But scratching the skin to relieve the itch does more harm than good. Not only does it set the itch-scratch cycle in motion, it can also cause your eczema rash to get bigger and spread. It does this by aggravating inflammation.

Bacteria

If scratching causes the skin to crack or bleed, it becomes more vulnerable to infection. This can lead to further inflammation which can cause the eczema to spread to other parts of the body if it is not carefully managed. It’s important to note that eczema itself is not contagious and cannot be spread to other people.

Contact with Allergens and Irritants

If your skin comes into contact with a trigger, such as a fabric allergen or chemical irritant, your eczema is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. For example, even being allergic to a laundry detergent and then wearing your clothes can cause your eczema to spread to other areas.

The Best Natural Remedies for Eczema

Wondering what are the best products to treat your skin when eczema keeps spreading? We’ve got you covered:

Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream

To nip the itch-scratch cycle in the bud, find soothing itch relief with this oil-based balm. It’s made with just 6 wholesome ingredients, all of which were handpicked by an eczema mother who was desperate to find a safe solution for her son’s eczema. The cream can be used all over your body from head to toe and is free from burning or stinging!

ScratchSleeves with Scratch Mittens

Made with 100% stretch cotton sleeves and silk mitten, these gentle scratch sleeves offer great scratch protection during the day or night - though they’re especially useful during the night when your child may be scratching in their sleep. For adults, check out these equally effective Adult Scratch Sleeves with Anti Scratch Mitts.

Remedywear™ (TENCEL + Zinc) Sleeves/Bandages for Babies to Adults

These handy eczema sleeves are great for pinpointing hard to reach areas like the bends of elbows and creases of knees. Their TENCEL and zinc-infused fabric is perfect for finding calming relief and providing lasting comfort. Without any added bulk, they’re great for wearing underneath regular clothing.

Get started with these natural remedies today

To manage eczema that spreads, be sure to try the above solutions and let us know what works for you!