7 Surprising Triggers of Atopic Dermatitis Flares
Health ConditionsSkin ConditionsEczema

7 Surprising Triggers of Atopic Dermatitis Flares

7 Surprising Triggers of Atopic Dermatitis Flares
Irina Marwan/Getty Images; Everyday Health
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Updated on August 14, 2026
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The list of atopic dermatitis flare-causing culprits ranges from bath and body products and laundry detergents to wool clothing and even cigarette smoke, just to name a few.

But some eczema triggers are not so obvious. While reasons for inflammation, itch, and pain will vary from person to person, be on the lookout for the following potential offenders.

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What Are Common Triggers and Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis?

Dermatologist Andrew Alexis, MD, walks through some factors that can worsen atopic dermatitis, as well as potential treatment options.

1. Candles and Air Fresheners

Fragrances and perfumes in cosmetics and personal care products are notorious for causing skin reactions.

But fragrances may also lurk in unexpected places, such as candles and air fresheners. “If a product has a scent, there could be some kind of triggering chemical in there,” says Danilo Del Campo, MD, a dermatologist at Chicago Skin Clinic. “Candles may especially be an eczema trigger during the winter holidays. People want that holiday feel in the house, but it can cause eczema problems.”

Fragrance may also lurk in natural products, such as tea tree oil, which you should steer clear of if you have atopic dermatitis.

 To avoid fragrance as much as possible, be sure to read the labels on all scented goods you buy, not just perfumes.

2. Viral Illnesses

A viral infection, such as the common cold, can spike inflammation throughout the body, including on the skin, making viruses a common and often overlooked atopic dermatitis trigger.

On top of that, constant nose blowing due to a respiratory illness such as a cold or the flu might cause a skin reaction on or around the nose.

To avoid catching a cold or the flu, avoid people who are sick, stay up to date on vaccinations, wash your hands regularly, and wear a mask if necessary.

The herpes simplex virus, which can cause cold sores in and around the mouth, can also lead to atopic dermatitis flares.

 Herpes simplex also poses a risk of complications, including a potentially very serious condition called eczema herpeticum, in which infection spreads over wide areas of skin and can even harm organs.
To reduce your risk of developing eczema herpeticum, avoid close contact with people who have cold sores, don’t share things that touch another person’s mouth, and wash your hands after touching a sore.

3. Insect Bites

Allergic reactions to insect bites and stings can provoke an atopic dermatitis flare.

Cockroaches don’t bite people, but proximity to them can lead to a flare, according to Edidiong Kaminska, MD, founder and medical director of Kaminska Dermatology in Chicago. “It’s not the cockroach itself that produces a reaction, but insects carry a lot of things on them,” she says. “The particles it sheds can trigger an eczema reaction in the skin.” Avoid cockroaches by making sure your home is clean after food preparation, fixing any plumbing problems, holes, or cracks in your home, and removing clutter.

To avoid insects outdoors, dress appropriately and use bug spray as needed.

Some bugs that fuel flares can’t be seen by the naked eye. Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like pests that feed on dead skin and can live in bedding, carpets, mattresses, and upholstered furniture. Some people with atopic dermatitis have an allergic skin reaction to dust mites.

People who are sensitive to dust mites can better protect themselves by regularly cleaning bedding, carpets, and other fabrics and using air purifiers and vacuums that have a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

Don’t let bug bites cause an eczema flare. We tested several products and found 6 mosquito repellents that really work.

4. Too Much Bathing or Showering

“It’s very common for Americans to take a bath or shower once — or even twice — a day,” says Dr. Del Campo. “But by overwashing, we lose the natural oils of our skin. The skin then becomes more dry and more prone to developing eczema.”

The National Eczema Association recommends taking one bath or shower a day in lukewarm (not hot) water, using a gentle cleanser, avoiding scrubbing, patting the skin dry after, and moisturizing right away.

Although thorough handwashing can destroy bacteria that cause illnesses, too much can break down the integrity of the skin barrier (which is already compromised in atopic dermatitis) and lead to flares. Doctors recommend washing your hands with gentle cleansers, using lukewarm water to rinse thoroughly, patting the skin dry, and moisturizing immediately afterward.

5. Jewelry

Not all jewelry aggravates atopic dermatitis–prone skin, but earrings, necklaces, rings, and other body ornaments made of nickel can be problematic, especially if you develop an allergy to nickel. A nickel allergy is a common cause of contact eczema, a condition linked to atopic dermatitis.

It may not be obvious that nickel is in a piece of jewelry, since a small amount of the metal is often mixed into silver or white gold. You can develop an allergy to nickel through repeated and prolonged exposure, and once the allergy is established, you’ll always be sensitive to it and need to avoid contact.

Note that buttons, eyeglasses, snaps, and zippers may also contain nickel.

Nickel can be found in many products, so if you suspect you have a nickel allergy, purchase a home test kit to check for nickel in metal items that may otherwise be difficult to pinpoint. Your dermatologist can perform a patch test to confirm the allergy. If you’re sensitive to nickel, avoid prolonged exposure to items containing nickel, wear hypoallergenic jewelry, and cover up buttons, snaps, zippers, and tool handles with duct tape or a clear barrier, such as Nickel Guard.

6. Certain Foods and Food Allergies

Although uncommon, certain foods can cause atopic dermatitis to flare, according to Del Campo. He says acidic foods can be a particular issue, including tomatoes, strawberries, and citrus, such as oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruit.

Eggs, fish and shellfish, milk, peanuts and tree nuts, sesame, and wheat are also common causes of food allergies and can trigger atopic dermatitis flares, particularly in children.

In addition to avoiding known food allergens, following an anti-inflammatory diet may help. This diet involves avoiding added sugars, refined carbs (white bread, white pasta, white rice), saturated fats (butter, full-fat dairy, poultry skin, red meat), and trans fats (fried foods, hydrogenated oils, margarine) and eating more fruits, green leafy vegetables, nuts, omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish, flaxseed, walnuts), and whole grains.

7. Fabrics and Face Masks

Fabrics that trap heat and sweat or irritate the skin are well-established troublemakers when it comes to atopic dermatitis, especially wool. But nylon and polyester can also worsen atopic dermatitis and other forms of skin inflammation, while fabrics made with pure cotton, bamboo, or silk tend to be more eczema friendly.

Del Campo says the COVID-19 pandemic introduced another skin agitator: the face mask.

“During the pandemic, we saw a lot of flare-ups around the mouth and on the lips in patients who otherwise were doing well for a long time,” he says. “People were constantly reusing the same mask, and dyes used in the masks sometimes created a problem. Masking was definitely a new factor that we weren’t expecting.”

To reduce the likelihood that a face mask will cause an eczema flare, cleanse your face with a gentle wash, pat the skin dry, and apply moisturizer before putting on a mask. Make sure the mask isn’t too tight (it shouldn’t dig into skin) or too loose (it shouldn’t move around and rub). Also be sure to wash cloth face masks often to remove germs, oils, skin cells, and sweat.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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  16. Is There an Eczema Diet? Here’s What Works. Cleveland Clinic. January 6, 2026.
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