How to manage eczema effectively

What is eczema?
Eczema, medically defined as dermatitis is the malfunction of a person’s skin barrier function. When healthy, skin presents a strong, mostly impenetrable barrier to commonly met irritants, allergens, viruses, and bacteria. When affected by eczema this barrier becomes compromised, allergens and bacteria are allowed in, the immune system is activated and inflammation begins. There are 8 widely accepted presentations of eczema1, ranging from forms mostly affecting pre-adolescents to those mostly affecting the elderly. These 8 dermatitis’s can be provoked by contact with an allergen e.g. fragrance2 or by age e.g. cradle cap or by environmental factors e.g. hard water3.Who does eczema effect and why?
Although the exact cause (e.g. gene vulnerability or mutation) of eczema is unknown, there are several, identified causing factors. When skin becomes eczematous, it looks likely that 2 co-factors have collided;- Genetic vulnerability – determined by a person’s DNA (hereditary)
- Environmental or lifestyle aggravators – stress, hormones, diet, hard water etc.
The suspected causes of eczema
There are 3 widely discussed and accepted models of eczema, ranging from skin specific to systemic;- Brick-and-mortar hypothesis
- Atopic march hypothesis
- Hygiene hypothesis
How eczematous skin biologically differs from non-atopic skin
Understanding the differences between eczematous and non-atopic or healthy skin, helps individuals to select the best possible self-care practices. Below are 6 predominant ways in which eczema prone skin differs from the normal dermatological model of healthy skin;- Increased transepidermal water loss
- Lipid compositional changes (e.g. reduction in ceramide manufacture)
- Thickening and hardening of skin (lichenification)
- Decreased linoleic and linolenic acid levels (types of fatty acids)
- Hypersensitive immune reaction e.g. inflammation
- Keratinocyte differentiation to tightly packed corneocytes is impaired
How to treat and prevent eczematous flairs
As the primary cause of eczema remains to be identified, there is currently no known cure for the condition. Without knowing the target responsible for beginning eczematous cascades, a cure is unknowable. Even so, there are many effective management practises that can successfully tame eczema into remission. Below some of the most successful strategies are detailed;- Investigate your diet for allergy and intolerance
- Trial the effect of taking a daily probiotic
- Use an occlusive, emollient rich moisturiser
- Humectant (attracts and locks-in water)
- Emollient (soothes and softens skin)
- Occlusive (reforms a protective barrier)

griffin+row Nourish is a lighter formulation that many prefer to use as a day cream. It protects your skin from transepidermal moisture loss, whilst being calming and ideal for even the most sensitive of skin. griffin+row Enrich is a slightly more viscous formulation and contains several occlusives and emollients including shea butter, almond oil and jojoba oil. Enrich is ideal for use as a night cream, for extremely dry or maturing skins.
- Consider investing in a water softener
- Through direct deposition of mineral deposits
- By inactivation of surfactants e.g. SLS in shower gel
- Use gently cleansing products

griffin+row Cleanse, is extremely gentle, yet highly effective. It has anti-inflammatory ingredients that will soothe, nourish and calm irritated skin. It’s hydrating and also includes antioxidants to counteract pollution.

Beware of products with “parfum” as an entry on their ingredient table. Government regulation allows these, often highly inflammatory chemical compositions, to remain trade secrets of skincare companies and therefore don’t enforce their full disclosure. At griffin+row, we don’t add any fragrances or perfumes to any of our products and proudly list all of our natural ingredients both on our products and on our website so that you know exactly what you’re applying to your skin.
- Types of Eczema “https://www.eczema.org/types-of-eczema”
- Ortiz, K. J. and Yiannias, J. A. (2004), Contact dermatitis to cosmetics, fragrances, and botanicals. Dermatologic Therapy, 17: 264–271. doi:10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04027.x
- Atopic eczema and domestic water hardness McNally N.J., Williams H.C., Phillips D.R., Smallman-Raynor M., Lewis S., Venn A., Britton J. (1998) Lancet, 352 (9127), pp. 527-531.
- Systematic review of treatments for atopic eczema. C Hoare, A Li Wan Po, H Williams Health Technol Assess. 2000; 4(37): 1–191.
- Hon K-LE, Yong V, Leung T-F. Research statistics in Atopic Eczema: what disease is this? Italian Journal of Pediatrics. 2012;38:26. doi:10.1186/1824-7288-38-26.
- Zheng T, Yu J, Oh MH, Zhu Z. The Atopic March: Progression from Atopic Dermatitis to Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma. Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research. 2011;3(2):67-73. doi:10.4168/aair.2011.3.2.67.
- Okada, H., Kuhn, C., Feillet, H. and Bach, J.-F. (2010), The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ for autoimmune and allergic diseases: an update. Clinical & Experimental Immunology, 160: 1–9. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2249.2010.04139.x
- Werfel, T., Ballmer-Weber, B., Eigenmann, P. A., Niggemann, B., Rancé, F., Turjanmaa, K. and Worm, M. (2007), Eczematous reactions to food in atopic eczema: position paper of the EAACI and GA2LEN. Allergy, 62: 723–728. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01429.x
- Vighi G, Marcucci F, Sensi L, Di Cara G, Frati F. Allergy and the gastrointestinal system. Clinical and Experimental Immunology. 2008;153(Suppl 1):3-6. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2249.2008.03713.x.
- Isolauri, E., Arvola, T., SÜtas, Y., Moilanen, E. and Salminen, S. (2000), Probiotics in the management of atopic eczema. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 30: 1605–1610. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2222.2000.00943.x
- A differential effect of 2 probiotics in the prevention of eczema and atopy: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial Wickens, Kristin et al. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology , Volume 122 , Issue 4 , 788 – 794
- Association between domestic water hardness, chlorine, and atopic dermatitis risk in early life: A population-based cross-sectional study Perkin, Michael R.Young, Louise et al. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology , Volume 138 , Issue 2 , 509 – 516
- Ortiz, K. J. and Yiannias, J. A. (2004), Contact dermatitis to cosmetics, fragrances, and botanicals. Dermatologic Therapy, 17: 264–271. doi:10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04027.x