• Allergy: This is one of the commonest causes of eczema, and triggers include dust, detergents, rubber, nickel plated jewellery, etc.
• Environment: Eczema is more common in urban areas due to high pollution levels. Extremely dry, cold weather tends to make skin scratchy, precipitating eczema.
• Genetic influence: Eczema is most likely in individuals who have a family history of Eczema and even other allergic conditions like Asthma, Hay Fever, etc.
• Obesity: According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, United States, obese children are 3 times more likely to get Eczema. The reason has been linked to inflammation in fat tissues that spills into other parts of the body, as well as due to poor circulation because of excess fat.
• Smoking: is one of the leading causes of eczema especially on the fingers that hold the cigarettes.
• Stress: Physical or emotional stress has been known to cause enhanced sensitivity and inflammatory skin changes.
• In babies, diaper rash or napkin eczema occurs because of chemical effect of urine/faeces on sensitive skin.