What to Know About Exercise’s Influence Upon Eczema
Sensitive and dry skin is caused by cracks in the protective oily barrier that lies on the surface of the skin. Those cracks in the oily barrier can be caused by several factors; genes, allergies, premature aging, or excessive sun bathing.
This leads to the weakening of the skin structures, in turn making it more vulnerable to other irritants like cold temperature, artificial clothing, and chemical ingredients contained in most hair care products and skin creams.
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. Ten to twenty percent of the world has some form of eczema. Extreme pain and an extreme desire to scratch at affected areas of the skin are common to people who suffer from eczema. Oozing pus infected pustules can be a result of the worst cases of eczema. Skin can become permanently damaged.
Eczema and Sports
People with eczema seem to suffer more when working out. When there is high humidity this is especially true.
When the body becomes too hot, sweating is a natural reaction to lower its temperature. Eczema is triggered by sweat because of the salt which dehydrates the skin.
There are more factors in sports that irritate the skin:
- Team sports t-shirts: they are often made of synthetic materials
- Hot showers after doing exercise: the skin becomes drier with hot water
- Showering with chemical based shampoo and soap: chemicals dry the skin
- Chlorine in swimming pools: causes 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. Stop further irritation by using all natural products.
A major option to relieve your skin without giving up sports and body fitness is the permanent use of natural products.
Natural skin care requires 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. Remember, natural products which don’t contain powerful natural elements do not work, so choose wisely.







