What Causes Eczema?
Dec 10, 2020
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Ruizhi
Introduction
What Causes Eczema?
1. Environmental factors: These include large-scale outdoor environmental elements—such as air, water, soil, radioactive sources, and allergenic pollen-producing vegetation—as well as the individual’s immediate living environment.
2. Dietary factors: Certain food types consumed by humans may trigger allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions.
3. Bacterial factors: Foods rich in bacteria—for example, dead fish, dead shrimp, dead crabs, and spoiled or non-fresh meat.
Eczema is an intensely pruritic inflammatory skin reaction triggered by multiple internal and external factors. It is clinically classified into three stages: acute, subacute, and chronic. The acute stage is characterized by exudation, whereas the chronic stage features lichenification and thickening (lichenification). Some patients present directly with chronic eczema. Typical clinical features include polymorphic lesions, symmetrical distribution, pruritus, and a tendency toward recurrence.
What Causes Eczema?
1. Environmental Factors
These include large-scale outdoor environmental elements—such as air, water, soil, radiation sources, and allergenic pollen-producing vegetation—as well as individual microenvironments (e.g., home or workplace conditions). These factors exert substantial influence on eczema development and progression.
2. Dietary Factors
Certain foods may induce hypersensitivity reactions leading to eczema. Common culprits include dairy products, lamb, seafood, specific fruits, and foods with strong irritant properties—such as chili peppers, mustard, curry, raw onions, ginger, garlic, scallions, and alcoholic beverages.
3. Bacterial Factors
Foods contaminated with high bacterial loads—such as spoiled fish, shrimp, or crab, and non-fresh meats—may trigger or exacerbate eczema.
4. Infectious Factors
Some cases of eczema are associated with microbial infection, including Staphylococcus aureus and Malassezia species.
5. Genetic Factors
Children of parents with a history of eczema have a significantly higher risk of developing the condition compared to those without such familial predisposition.
6. Medication-Related Factors
In principle, any medication may potentially induce eczema; however, certain classes—including antibiotics, antipyretic-analgesics, and cardiovascular drugs—are particularly prone to triggering it. Symptoms typically resolve spontaneously upon discontinuation of the offending drug.
7. Other Contributing Factors
Eczema may also be precipitated by neuropsychiatric factors—including distress, fatigue, depression, anxiety, tension, emotional excitement, and insomnia—as well as physical and climatic factors such as ultraviolet radiation, cold, humidity, dryness, and mechanical friction. Additional contributing conditions include chronic gastrointestinal disorders, chronic alcoholism, intestinal parasitosis, metabolic disturbances, endocrine dysfunction, and age-related degenerative diseases.
The above outlines the major etiological factors underlying eczema. We hope this information proves helpful.
