Eczema, also known as a topic dermatitis or contact dermatitis, is a chronic but manageable skin condition. It causes a rash on your skin that leads to redness, itching, and discomfort.

Young children often develop eczema, and symptoms may improve with age. Your family history may be one of the most significant factors in developing the condition, but there are other triggers that cause symptoms to appear or worsen.

Learning to identify and manage the triggers may help you control the condition’s symptoms. Here are 3 major eczema triggers.

1. Sweat
Sweat can impact your eczema. Sweat not only helps your body regulate its temperature, but it also affects the moisture of your skin and how your immune system works.

Your body may have a sweat allergy that worsens eczema, but sweat itself with no allergy can even worsen eczema. Eczema can block sweat and not allow it to leave your body as it should. Your eczema may itch more after sweating.

One 2017 study concluded that managing sweat in adults with eczema is extremely useful, even if you aren’t allergic to sweat.

There are many ways you can manage your sweat with eczema, such as not exercising in heat, wearing appropriate clothes, and engaging in low-sweat exercises.

2. Extreme temperatures
Dry skin and sweating can both trigger eczema, and they often occur in hot and cold temperatures. Cold weather often lacks humidity and can cause dry skin. Hot weather causes you to sweat more than usual.

One study Source followed 177 children ages 5 years and younger for 17 months and found their exposure to weather effects, such as temperature and rainfall, and air pollutants were associated with eczema symptoms.

Living in conditions with a regulated temperature can help you manage your eczema symptoms. Avoid exposing yourself to very hot and cold temperatures.

3. Smoking
Smoking tobacco can also irritate your skin and worsen eczema. A 2016 study found a strong association between smoking and eczema on the hand. You may reduce your chances of developing or triggering hand eczema by quitting smoking.