Eczema Flare-Ups After Working Out: What’s Causing Them?

If your skin feels itchy, red, or irritated after a workout, you’re not alone. Many people with eczema notice flare-ups after exercising. It can be frustrating. You’re trying to take care of your body, but your skin seems to be fighting back. So what’s going on?

Why Eczema Flares Up After a Workout

Let’s break it down. Eczema is a condition where your skin barrier doesn’t work as well as it should. That means it loses moisture more easily and lets irritants in more easily. When you work out, you introduce a few common triggers for eczema flare-ups:

• Sweat: It’s salty and acidic. That can sting irritated skin and throw off your skin’s pH.
• Heat: Warm temperatures make blood vessels expand. That can increase inflammation.
• Friction: Movement, rubbing clothes, or gym equipment can irritate your skin.

Put those together, and it’s easy to see why exercising can lead to a flare-up. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop working out. You just need to understand what’s happening and how to manage it.

How Sweat Affects Eczema-Prone Skin

Sweat is your body’s natural way of cooling down. But for people with eczema, it can be a problem. Sweat contains salt and other minerals. When it dries on your skin, it can leave behind a residue that irritates and dries out the skin even more.

This is why sweating and skin inflammation often go hand in hand. For some, just a little sweat can lead to itching and redness. This is especially true in areas where sweat collects, like:

• Elbows and knees
• Neck and chest
• Face and scalp
• Underarms and inner thighs

It’s also why eczema after workout sessions tends to show up in these zones. The combination of moisture, heat, and trapped sweat creates the perfect storm for irritation.

Friction and Eczema: A Rough Combo

During exercise, your skin rubs against clothing, gear, and even itself. This friction can wear down your skin barrier. For people with eczema, that barrier is already vulnerable. Add tight workout clothes, repetitive movements, and sweat, and you’ve got a recipe for a flare-up.

Common friction zones include:

• Under the arms
• Between the thighs
• Around sports bra bands or waistbands

Choosing the right workout gear can help. Look for soft, breathable fabrics and seamless designs. Avoid anything too tight or scratchy. It’s also smart to apply a skin barrier cream before exercising in high-friction areas.

Heat Rash vs Eczema: How to Tell the Difference

After a workout, it’s easy to confuse eczema with other types of skin irritation, especially heat rash. So how can you tell the difference?

• Heat rash usually shows up as small red bumps. It’s caused by blocked sweat glands and often appears in hot, humid conditions.
• Eczema tends to be drier, itchier, and more inflamed. It can look scaly or patchy and often lasts longer than a heat rash.

If your skin irritation clears up quickly after cooling down and drying off, it may be heat rash. But if it lingers, spreads, or becomes intensely itchy, you’re likely dealing with an eczema flare-up.

Exercise Triggers for Eczema

Everyone’s eczema is different. But some common exercise triggers for eczema include:

• High temperatures or humidity
• Allergens in the environment (like pollen if you’re exercising outside)
• Chlorine from swimming pools
• Dust or mold in indoor gyms
• Stress, which can spike during intense workouts

Pay attention to when your skin reacts. Keep a workout journal to track what you were doing, where you were, and how your skin felt afterward. This can help you identify which triggers are affecting you most.

How to Manage Eczema When Sweating

You don’t have to choose between staying active and keeping your skin calm. Here are a few smart ways to manage eczema when sweating:

Before Your Workout

• Apply a light, fragrance-free moisturizer to protect your skin barrier.
• Wear loose, breathable clothes made from cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics.
• Drink water to help your body regulate temperature.

During Your Workout

• Pat sweat away with a soft towel instead of rubbing.
• Take breaks if you start to feel itchy or overheated.
• Exercise in cooler environments whenever possible.

After Your Workout

• Shower as soon as you can to rinse off sweat and bacteria.
• Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
• Moisturize while your skin is still damp to lock in hydration.

These steps can make a big difference in reducing post workout skin irritation. The key is to act quickly. The longer sweat and heat stay on your skin, the more likely they’ll cause a flare-up.

When to Talk to a Dermatologist

If you’ve tried everything and your eczema flare up causes are still unclear, it may be time to get professional help. A dermatologist can:

• Help identify triggers specific to your skin
• Recommend prescription creams or treatments
• Rule out other skin conditions like psoriasis or fungal infections

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But with the right support and routine, you can keep working out without sacrificing your skin.

Quick Takeaways

• Eczema after workout is common. Sweat, heat, and friction are major triggers.
• Choose soft, breathable clothing and avoid tight gear.
• Shower and moisturize right after exercising to avoid flare-ups.
• Know the difference between heat rash vs eczema to treat it correctly.
• If your flare-ups keep coming back, talk to a dermatologist.

Working out with eczema can be tricky, but it’s possible. With a little planning and care, you can keep your body moving and your skin under control.