As summer fades and the clocks head toward autumn, many people with eczema notice their skin taking a turn for the worse. This seasonal eczema flare-up is mainly caused by changes in the environment around you. Knowing what shifts as autumn sets in puts you in a better position to preempt a flare-up before it takes hold. Here are five common autumn eczema triggers worth watching for, and what tends to help with each one.
1. Falling humidity and central heating
In eczema, the skin's protective barrier is already compromised, so it loses moisture more readily than healthy skin and lets external irritants penetrate more easily.2 As outdoor humidity drops and homes switch the heating back on, that already-fragile barrier comes under extra pressure.
Keeping rooms at a steady, moderate temperature (around 18°C) rather than turning the heating up high can help, as can placing a bowl of water near radiators to add some humidity back into the room and avoiding sitting too close to a direct heat source.3 A rich, fragrance-free emollient applied more generously than in summer helps offset the extra water loss.
2. House dust mites
House dust mites are one of the more common eczema triggers, and exposure to them tends to increase in autumn.1 As the weather turns, windows stay closed for longer to keep the warmth in, and that reduced ventilation gives dust mites the humid, undisturbed conditions they need to thrive.3
Airing rooms for a short spell each day, even in colder weather, along with washing bedding regularly on a hot cycle, helps keep numbers down. If dust mites are a known trigger, a mattress and pillow protector can reduce direct contact overnight.
3. Mould spores
Mould might sound like a winter problem, but autumn is the peak sporing season for many mould types, making it a seasonal eczema trigger that can catch people off guard.4 Damp piles of fallen leaves, compost heaps and poorly ventilated bathrooms or kitchens all provide the conditions mould needs to thrive.3
If gardening at this time of year, wearing gloves and covering exposed skin when clearing leaves or compost can help limit contact. Indoors, wiping away condensation on windows and improving ventilation in damp-prone rooms reduces the mould spore count in the air.
4. Sudden temperature changes
Moving repeatedly between a warm house, a cold car and a chilly outdoors can be a bigger trigger than either temperature alone, putting extra stress on skin that is already prone to inflammation.
Dressing in layers that are easy to add or remove as the temperature changes, rather than relying on one heavy coat, allows the skin to adjust more gradually and helps avoid overheating indoors, which can itself set off itching.3
5. Colds, back-to-school routines and stress
Autumn brings the return to school and work routines alongside the start of cold and flu season, and both can affect eczema. Having a cold or flu can trigger either a general flare-up or a more localised reaction around the nose from constant blowing.3 The stress of new routines and disrupted sleep can also affect the immune system in ways that make skin more reactive to other triggers.6
Managing seasonal eczema well often comes down to consistency. Stick with your usual emollient routine even when skin looks settled, rather than waiting for a flare-up to start. If a flare-up does take hold, a short course of a topical steroid such as Hydrocortisone, or the stronger Eumovate if hydrocortisone is not enough, can help bring inflamed, itchy skin back under control, used alongside your usual emollient rather than instead of it.5 For a fuller look at managing a flare-up, see our guide to treating eczema flare-ups.
Frequently asked questions
Why does eczema get worse in autumn?
Autumn brings several triggers at once. Central heating and falling outdoor humidity dry out the air, which puts extra pressure on the eczema skin barrier. Windows staying closed for longer also lets house dust mites and indoor mould build up, and autumn is the peak sporing season for many mould types.
Can central heating make eczema worse?
Yes. Central heating strips moisture from indoor air, which can dry out skin that is already struggling to retain water. Keeping rooms at a steady, moderate temperature (around 18°C), placing a bowl of water near radiators, and applying emollient more generously can help offset this.
Are dust mites a common eczema trigger?
House dust mites are one of the most recognised eczema triggers. Reduced ventilation in colder months, from windows staying shut, gives them the humid conditions they need to thrive. Airing rooms daily and washing bedding on a hot cycle can help keep numbers down.
Can stress trigger an eczema flare-up?
Stress can affect the immune system in ways that make skin more reactive to other triggers, so periods of disrupted routine, such as returning to school or work in September, can coincide with flare-ups. A consistent emollient routine helps provide some protection during these periods.
Should I keep moisturising even when my eczema looks settled?
Yes. Emollients work best as a consistent daily routine rather than something used only during a flare-up. Keeping skin moisturised helps maintain the skin barrier and can reduce how often flare-ups happen.
What is the difference between hydrocortisone and Eumovate for eczema?
Hydrocortisone is a mild topical steroid suitable for short courses on inflamed, itchy skin. Eumovate (clobetasone) is a moderately potent steroid, used when a mild steroid is not enough to bring a flare-up under control. Both are used alongside an emollient, not instead of one, and only on the affected areas for a short, defined period.
References
- NHS. Atopic eczema. nhs.uk
- Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Eczema: patient information. newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk
- National Eczema Society. Cold weather and eczema. eczema.org.uk
- Allergy UK. Eczema, triggers and irritants. allergyuk.org
- National Eczema Society. Topical corticosteroids. eczema.org
- National Library of Medicine (PMC). Unravelling the skin: a comprehensive review of atopic dermatitis, current understanding, and approaches. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication and speak to a healthcare professional if you have specific concerns.