The root cause for eczema as a disease is unknown to current medicinal science. However, it is believed to be a genetic issue, in combination with environmental factors.

The skin rashes and itch which are the symptoms of eczema though, can be triggered by a wide variety of factors. All of these factors can be avoided or at least minimized with some conscious effort. Here’s a list of what causes eczema breakouts, with no claim to completeness:

• Stress
• Food intolerance (i.e. cow’s milk, eggs, soy, wheat, nuts, alcohol, coffee)
• Rough clothing
• Pet fur
• Dry air
• Pollution
• Prolonged or hot showers or baths
• Sweating
• Cigarette smoke
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Detergents
• Solvent
• Pollen
• Hard water
• Jewelry
• Dust mites
• Mold spores

Some of the causes of eczema listed here have quite obvious solutions, as in if you have mold on the walls of your room, you better get rid of it. Others are more complicated to resolve, for example you need to find out what food intolerance or other allergies you may have. You may want to take an allergy test, and/or eliminate certain foods from your diet temporarily, in order to find out which foods you are allergic to.