Regular exercise is really important for us to maintain our health - both physical and mental. However, it is often easier said than done. There can be many hurdles to exercising, and in order to overcome these hurdles, we must first acknowledge and address them.
Eczema is an inflammatory process that occurs in the skin.1 While skin is made up of many layers of cells, there are two main layers - the dermis and the epidermis. The epidermis is the layer we can see, and the dermis is the layer directly underneath it. When someone has eczema there is a disruption in the epidermal layer of the skin. There can be many causes for this disruption, including:
Eczema usually occurs on flexural surfaces of the body. This means it is usually found on the inside of joints, such as the elbows, or behind the knee. It is sometimes present on the hands and face, and can be present all over the body in certain cases.
When we exercise, there are various processes that occur throughout our body to help it cope with the increased physical demand. These processes affect pretty much every part of the body, including the skin. So what exactly happens?
Exercising leads to an increased demand for oxygen and glucose in the cells, as well as the need to remove waste products. This is done through blood circulation, which is why our heart rate increases when we exercise.
In order to keep up with increased demand, the body starts to metabolise more, which as a result generates more heat. In order to cool down the body and avoid overheating, the vessels close to the skin relax to create a greater surface area from which the heat can escape. It also leads to more blood flow to the skin than usual, which causes the skin to appear red.
Sweating helps to keep the body cool, as the heat generated is used to evaporate sweat from the body. It is also helpful in the removal of toxins.. Sweat is composed of various elements, including water, urea, lactate, and minerals such as sodium and potassium.
There are two main types of sweat glands - eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are found all over your body and produce most of the sweat that is generated. Apocrine glands are bigger and located in areas that are typically associated with being sweaty, like the armpits, groin, and breast. Apocrine glands release more concentrated secretions, and are usually located closer to hair follicles.
While sweat is a great mechanism for keeping us cool, it can be problematic if there is a disruption to the skin layers. For people with eczema, sweating can sometimes cause issues. Due to the composition of sweat, it can cause irritation to the skin, especially if the epidermal layer has been disrupted. Skin is a barrier for our body, and when there is a disruption in the layers of the skin, it can lead to exposure of the internal layers that are usually protected. Also, for someone who has a damaged epidermal layer, sweating can cause irritation.
The exact mechanism of this is not fully understood, however there are some theories relating to this:
All of that seems very doom and gloom, but don’t worry! There are ways to overcome these difficulties if you have eczema. The first is to consider the type of exercise you are doing, and how to minimise the impact it will have on your skin.
Loose clothing gives the skin more space to breathe. As a result, there is less irritation to the epidermal layers, leading to less itching. Loose clothing also allows sweat to evaporate better, ensuring that it isn’t sitting on the skin for prolonged periods of time.
Eczema is usually treated with emollients. This helps to keep the skin healthy and prevents damage. During exercise, the skin goes through a lot, so it is important to help it however you can.
The body has ways of signalling when it needs attention. The same applies for your skin. If you feel a particular area flaring up during your exercise regime, you should pause and give it some attention. Some helpful ways to manage a flare-up during exercise include:
Despite the fact that sweat can cause irritation, there are plenty of benefits to exercising! Exercising can help to minimise stress, both psychologically - as it can help boost self-esteem and confidence - and physiologically. This can help to reduce the number of flare-ups you experience.3
