what is eczema?

Most of us have probably heard of eczema but do we really understand what it is? And with National Eczema Week just around the corner, we thought we’d take a look at this all-too-common issue.

what is eczema?

Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation, itching, dryness and irritation. It can show up as flaky patches, sore spots, or red, raw skin, and it often shows up in creases (like elbows, knees, or around the eyes).

It’s incredibly common. In fact, the NHS says over 15 million people in the UK live with eczema.

Which is just over 1 in 5 of us.

is eczema contagious?

Definitely not. 

You can’t catch eczema and you can’t spread it through touch. It’s a skin condition, not a virus or infection, so while the rash may look dramatic, there’s zero need for social distancing.

what causes eczema?

It seems there’s no single answer here, but these are some of the biggest triggers:

• Genetics (you’re more likely to have it if it runs in your family)
• Allergens or irritants (like dust, pollen, soaps, or fragrance)
• Stress (of course!)
• Temperature changes (hot/cold or dry air can aggravate skin)
• Diet (some people are sensitive to things like dairy or gluten)
• The skin barrier not doing its job properly

can you treat eczema permanently?

There’s no one magic fix, but many people manage their eczema incredibly well with a good routine. That includes:

• Avoiding known triggers
• Moisturising regularly with emollients
• Using mild, fragrance-free cleansers
• Washing clothes with gentle laundry products (hello smol non-bio)
• Sticking to dermatologist-recommended treatments during flare-ups

So in essence… there is hope and better days ahead for your skin if you are currently living through a flare up.

best products for people with eczema.

When you’re living with eczema, what you put on your skin and next to your skin matters. That includes:

• Shower products
• Skincare
• Laundry products (yep, your clothes touch your skin all day)

So let’s take a good look at what smol can offer for sensitive, eczema-prone skin:

1. laundry.

• Non-bio laundry capsules. They’re dermatologically tested.
• Fragrance-free non-bio capsules. Also dermatologically tested AND recommended by Allergy UK.
• Non-bio laundry liquid… you guessed it… dermatologically tested.

2. bath & body.

• Shampoo bar, great for your hair AND dermatologically tested.
• Body bar, dermatologically tested for soft clean skin.
• Hand bar, for zen-like vibes that are dermatologically tested.
• Anti-perspirant, another product that’s dermatologically tested.
• Foaming handwash, it’s refillable and yep, dermatologically tested.

3. around the home.

• Our plant-powered washing up liquid is also dermatologically tested.