Is eczema contagious?

It is an annoying skin problem, but eczema is not contagious. Phew, that sucks. By the way, this applies to all species; whether it concerns seborrheic, contact or nummular eczema. It is important to know that eczema is a sign of a disrupted skin barrier. When your skin's protective mechanism does not work optimally, you are more susceptible to bacterial infections. And these can be contagious to others.

Now that you know you can't pass on eczema, you're probably wondering if and what you can do about it. Because dry, red skin with itching and flakes is anything but pleasant. Read more about the contagiousness of eczema, whether eczema can be cured and the best eczema treatment!

This is what you want to know about eczema:

• No, eczema is not contagious
• No, eczema cannot be cured
• Yes! there are options to treat the complaints of eczema

Why is eczema not contagious?

Eczema is not contagious to others because it is not caused by a virus or bacteria. Atopic skin can cause blisters, moist patches, or itching. These are symptoms associated with transmissible skin conditions, which makes the idea that eczema is contagious quite logical. However, when you suffer from eczema, you can safely touch others. You also do not need to cover your eczema out of fear of infecting someone.

When is eczema contagious?

When is eczema contagious? Some think eczema is contagious when it is active. Or that the blisters of eczema and inflamed eczema are transferable. This is not the case. However, eczema develops faster when your skin barrier no longer works properly. Then the balance of your skin's natural protection mechanism is disturbed. In the long term, this makes you more susceptible to bacterial infections. Sometimes caused by viruses and fungi. These can be contagious to others, even though this chance is much smaller than, for example, with a cold or flu.

It is important to determine whether the skin problem is actually eczema. For example, eczema around the mouth ( clown eczema - perioral dermatitis ) that resembles the symptoms of impetigo is contagious. The same applies to athlete's foot, also known as foot eczema. This is actually not eczema but a fungal infection of the feet, and is therefore contagious.

Protect natural skin barrier

Because eczema is not contagious but develops (more quickly) due to an imbalance in your skin barrier, it is very important to respect this natural protective mechanism of your skin. In most cases, eczema is triggered or aggravated by the body's reaction to contact with certain (synthetic) substances. This is particularly true for contact eczema or facial eczema , which worsens due to overtreatment of the skin. Therefore, always use mild and organic care products for atopic and dry skin , such as natural facial care.

Can eczema be cured?

Eczema cannot be cured, but it can be effectively treated with the right care. A natural remedy for eczema works best against symptoms such as dry skin, scaling, and itching. It is most important that an eczema product is oily and contains as few harsh ingredients as possible. After all, eczematous skin primarily needs rest. Therefore, avoid aggressive and synthetic products. Other factors that can influence eczema include stress, antibiotics, temperature fluctuations, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

The best eczema treatment

The best eczema treatment is one that addresses both internal and external factors:

• ensure a healthy and regular diet (omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics)
• stop smoking
• drink enough water
• get enough sleep
• reduce stress
• use a natural eczema cream such as propolis ointmentHemp seed oil is a tested ingredient in (atopic) eczema.
• Avoid the continued use of a hormone ointment. Here you can read more about the side effects of hormone ointment, which can sometimes even be disastrous.

Did you know that beneficial probiotics or propolis are perfect ingredients for improving your natural skin barrier? The ingredients in our best hyaluronic acid serum (with hyaluronic acid and probiotics) help, among other things, to bind moisture in the facial skin. This ensures optimal hydration, which is very important for dry, eczema-prone skin. You can also add a propolis ointment to your routine. This product helps strengthen the protective skin barrier and effectively reduces itching, irritation, and rashes.