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How to Treat Hormonal Eczema: Effective Tips and Solutions

Hormonal eczema, a type of atopic dermatitis, is linked to changes in hormone levels. Some key life stages, like menopause, puberty, and pregnancy, might trigger hormonal changes and cause distinctive eczema symptoms, and this even requires early diagnosis and personalized treatment if it becomes serious.

 

Our blog today will focus on the link between them and how to treat hormonal eczema safely, as well as helpful tips for improving skin health. 

What's the link between hormones and eczema?

Here is our discussion about how eczema and hormones relate to help you understand their potential impacts on your skin.

1. Sex Hormones and Eczema

According to the National Library of Medicine, sex hormones have multiple effects on the skin. However, each life stage will reflect a different skin disorder, including:

 

  • Puberty: According to the “National Eczema Society”, eczema improves during adolescence. The surge of hormones increases grease production, which helps maintain the skin barrier. During puberty, while female hormones amp up skin cells in your immune system, male hormones do the opposite. This leads to overreactions, potentially linked to skin inflammation in psoriasis and eczema.
  • Hormone Fluctuations During Periods: As estrogen levels decrease, skin elastin diminishes, and the epidermis and dermis layers thin, resulting in eczema's dry, sensitive skin characteristics. Many women with eczema admit their symptoms getting worse during their periods. A rapid drop in estrogen levels makes skin more susceptible to irritations, in turn, to eczema flare-ups.
  • Estrogen Surges in Pregnancy: At this time, peaking estrogen shifts your immune system’s focus to protect the fetus. Consequently, your body becomes more sensitive to allergens, leading to old allergies and conditions like eczema.
  • Menopause: A decrease in estrogen during menopause can cause the skin to become drier and less resilient and may lead to the development of eczema. The drop in estrogen during female menopause causes the sebaceous glands to increase oil production again, leading to changes in the skin microbiome. This further worsens eczema flare-ups and damages the skin barrier.
  • Birth control: Although there is no apparent connection between birth control and eczema, birth control might lead to certain rashes related to estrogens and progesterone levels. That’s why many patients mention that birth control might worsen eczema symptoms.

2. Hormonal Rash vs. Eczema

Fluctuations in hormone levels exacerbate a hormonal rash, which releases symptoms similar to those of eczema. Both cause redness and irritation with papules and occur in key life stages like monthly periods or menopause.

 

In addition, hormonal rashes are rarer than eczema. Despite that, it’s best to consult a dermatologist for timely rash control.

3. Stress Hormones and Eczema

Under prolonged stress, your body will enter “fight-to-flight” mode, triggering heart rate and releasing cortisol and adrenaline. These elements might suppress the immune system, causing eczema flare-ups. That’s why managing stress is considered one of the most promising hormonal eczema treatments today.

How to Treat Hormonal Eczema?

If you are seeking guidance on how to treat hormonal eczema, examine your daily routines first routines. This includes looking at your skincare habits, diet, stress levels, sleep patterns, and the types of products you regularly use on your skin. Sometimes, small adjustments in these areas—like using fragrance-free skincare, eating a balanced diet, managing stress, or avoiding known irritants—can make a difference in managing hormonal eczema.

 

For severe cases, consider consulting a healthcare professional, as topical medications may provide instant relief. Let’s explore some additional tips that may help support your skin’s health and ease eczema symptoms.

1. Emollients

Emollients are a must-have option in your first line of defense against hormonal eczema. They are moisturizing treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe, hydrate, and form a protective barrier that traps moisture. Used to manage dry, itchy conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and ichthyosis, emollients are medical-grade, unperfumed moisturizers free of cosmetic additives. They have been essential in dry skin treatment for over 5,000 years, effectively reducing eczema flares and promoting healthy skin.

 

You should also seek ingredients such as olive squalene, glycerin, cetyl alcohol, and jojoba esters. All are found in Phoilex’s Active ReLeaf Spot Gel to ensure the best moisture retention and prevent the risks of irritants. When bathing and showering, skip traditional soap. Instead, opt for an emollient-based or non-fragrance cleanser, which may be gentler for your skin.

2. Topical steroids

Need a more potent solution on how to treat hormonal eczema? You can try topical steroids, especially when you want to treat hormonal eczema on the face to clear up within a few weeks. These anti-inflammatory creams can calm irritated skin and prevent eczema flare-ups effectively. However, if you prefer to use topical steroids for a prolonged period, be aware of their side effects, including Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).

3. Hormone medication

Low-dose menopausal hormone treatment (MHT) might be an appealing treatment for women with eczema. This medication works well with estrogen-deficient skin, “giving a specific positive manner via selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs),” as reported in the Menopause and the Skin study.

 

Hormone medications are not for everyone, but it's worth a conversation with your doctor before experiencing any hormone medication!

Managing Hormones to Regulate Eczema

In addition to how to treat hormonal eczema, it’s important to learn how to keep your hormones balanced to reduce eczema triggers and maintain healthy skin.

 

  1. Maintain a Consistent Skincare Routine: A skincare routine is important because of things such as decreased estrogen during menopause, with skin becoming drier and less resilient, which may lead to the development of eczema. A healthy skincare habit involving emollients and gentle cleansers can help protect your skin barrier and can prevent the risks of chronic flare-ups on your skin.

  2. Explore Hormone Replacement Therapy: Researchers believe that eczema is caused by an immune system that’s not functioning properly. Hormones affect two types of immune cells: Th1 cells and Th2 cells. Th2 cells have been linked to allergy responses and eczema.

    The hormones that often make eczema worse, estrogen and progesterone, are female sex hormones. This may explain why eczema is more common in adult females than in adult males. Those hormone fluctuations may impact your eczema, making symptoms more or less severe.

    In women with menopausal symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is helpful. The association between HRT and eczema is poorly understood, with little study on the influence of contemporary HRT doses. If you are considering HRT, it's recommended to consult your healthcare provider to discuss the potential benefits and risks in the context of your individual circumstances.

  3. Reduce Stress: To reduce stress effectively, incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine, such as meditation, yoga, and gentle exercise, which increases the production of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that can improve your mood and reduce stress.

  4. Ensure Your Skin Stays Hydrated: Skin hydration is essential for retaining moisture and improving skin elasticity. To maintain adequate skin hydration, you can use ceramide—or CBD-containing skincare products. Also, collagen, vitamin E, and peptides are great at improving skin elasticity.

  5. Consider Phototherapy as a Treatment Option: Phototherapy has been proven to calm inflamed skin compared to other treatments. Ultraviolet light is one of the standard doctor-approved phototherapy methods today.

  6. Discover a Topical Treatment That Suits You: Picking a proper topical medication can prevent side effects on your skin. Whether it’s a steroid or non-steroid cream like Phoilex's Active ReLeaf Spot Gel, there's a treatment that may suit you. consult your dermatologist for personalized guidance.

  7. Patch Test Before Use: Before using new skincare products, patch test on your body first, as skin on the body is typically less sensitive than facial skin.

When to See The Doctor?

If our tips on how to treat hormonal eczema do not provide relief, it’s time to consult your doctor for personalized advice. A doctor or clinical provider can assist in treating extensive eczema flare-ups or cases that do not respond to over-the-counter methods.

 

Additionally, if you suspect emotional factors may be triggering your eczema, speaking with a therapist or mental health counselor can be beneficial. They can help you develop strategies to manage stress and its impact on your skin condition.

Treat Your Hormonal Eczema With Phoilex!

Our blog has just guided you on how to treat hormonal eczema to improve your symptoms and skin health. Remember, a well-rounded approach combining moisturizing products, skin treatments, and expert guidance doesn't stand a chance against eczema.

 

If you’re looking for products to elevate your daily skincare routine, explore Phoilex’s range of non-steroid, natural, and anti-inflammatory solutions designed for sensitive skin.


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