As summer fades and the clocks head towards autumn, lots of people with eczema notice their skin getting worse. This seasonal eczema flare-up is mostly down to changes in the environment around you. Once you know what shifts in autumn, you can get ahead of a flare-up before it takes hold.
Here are five common autumn eczema triggers to watch for, and what tends to help with each one.
1. Falling humidity and central heating
With eczema, your skin's protective barrier is already weakened. It loses moisture more easily than healthy skin, and it lets irritants in more easily too.1
Then autumn arrives. Outdoor humidity drops and the central heating goes back on. That puts even more pressure on an already fragile barrier.
Try to keep rooms at a steady, moderate temperature (around 18°C) rather than turning the heating up high. A bowl of water near a radiator can add some humidity back into the room. And try not to sit too close to a direct heat source.2
A rich, fragrance-free emollient can help too. Emollients are moisturisers that soften and protect your skin. Apply it more generously than you did in summer to offset the extra water loss.
Avoid sitting right next to a radiator or cranking the heating up. A steady, moderate temperature is gentler on your skin.
2. House dust mites
House dust mites are one of the more common eczema triggers. Your exposure to them tends to increase in autumn.3
Windows stay shut for longer to keep the warmth in. That reduced ventilation gives dust mites the humid, undisturbed conditions they love.2
Air your rooms for a short spell each day, even when it's cold. Wash your bedding regularly on a hot cycle. Both help keep numbers down.
If dust mites are a known trigger for you, a mattress and pillow protector can reduce direct contact overnight.
Short on time? A quick airing each day can meaningfully cut dust mite numbers.
3. Mould spores
Mould might sound like a winter problem. But autumn is the peak sporing season (when mould releases spores into the air) for many types of mould. That makes it a seasonal eczema trigger that can catch you off guard.4
Damp piles of fallen leaves, compost heaps, and poorly ventilated bathrooms or kitchens all give mould what it needs to thrive.2
Gardening this autumn? Wear gloves and cover exposed skin when you clear leaves or compost. That helps limit contact.
Indoors, wipe away condensation on windows and improve ventilation in damp-prone rooms. That reduces the mould spore count in the air.
Clearing damp leaves or compost? Gloves and long sleeves are worth the effort.
4. Sudden temperature changes
Moving between a warm house, a cold car and a chilly outdoors can be a bigger trigger than either temperature alone. It puts extra stress on skin that's already prone to inflammation.
Dress in layers that are easy to add or remove as the temperature changes, rather than relying on one heavy coat. That lets your skin adjust more gradually. It also helps you avoid overheating indoors, which can itself set off itching.2
Think layers, not one big coat. You can peel them off before you start to overheat.
5. Colds, back-to-school routines and stress
Autumn brings back school and work routines. It also brings the start of cold and flu season. Both can affect eczema.
Having a cold or flu can trigger a general flare-up. It can also cause a more localised reaction around your nose from constant blowing.2 The stress of new routines and disrupted sleep can affect your immune system too, making your skin more reactive to other triggers.5
Managing seasonal eczema often comes down to consistency. Stick with your usual emollient routine even when your skin looks settled. Don't wait for a flare-up to start.
If a flare-up does take hold, a short course of a topical steroid can help bring inflamed, itchy skin back under control. That could be hydrocortisone, or the stronger Eumovate if hydrocortisone isn't enough. Use it alongside your usual emollient, not instead of it.6
Topical steroids are for short courses. If your skin isn't improving, speak to a GP or pharmacist.
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
- Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Eczema: patient information. newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk
- National Eczema Society. Cold weather and eczema. eczema.org.uk
- NHS. Atopic eczema. nhs.uk
- Allergy UK. Eczema, triggers and irritants. allergyuk.org
- National Library of Medicine (PMC). Unravelling the skin: a comprehensive review of atopic dermatitis, current understanding, and approaches. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- National Eczema Society. Topical corticosteroids. eczema.org
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.