The holiday season is full of things to look forward to, from festive decorations and cozy sweaters to spending time with loved ones. But if you have eczema, this time of year can also bring a few unwelcome surprises for your skin. The good news? Knowing your triggers and making a few simple adjustments can help you enjoy the festivities while keeping your skin comfortable.
In short: The holidays can introduce several common eczema triggers, including cold weather, dry indoor air, stress, fragrances, irritating fabrics, and smoke. Identifying which factors affect your skin, maintaining a consistent skincare routine, and taking a few extra precautions can help reduce irritation throughout the season.
7 Common Holiday Eczema Triggers & How to Avoid Them
1. Christmas Trees
A real Christmas tree might make your home feel festive, but its sap can cause skin reactions in some people.
Coniferous trees, including pines and firs, contain a substance called colophony (also known as rosin). Colophony is a known allergen that can cause allergic contact dermatitis in people who are sensitive to it.
How to protect your skin: If you know you're sensitive to tree sap, wear gloves and long sleeves when handling your Christmas tree. Wash your hands after decorating, and avoid touching your face until you've done so.
If you've experienced a reaction to real Christmas trees in the past, consider switching to an artificial tree. Just remember that artificial trees can collect dust during storage, so give yours a good cleaning before setting it up.
2. Holiday Stress
Between gift shopping, travel plans, family gatherings, and preparing holiday meals, the most wonderful time of the year can also be one of the busiest.
Stress and eczema are closely connected. Stress can worsen itching and inflammation, while uncomfortable eczema symptoms can make it harder to relax, creating a frustrating cycle.
How to protect your skin: You might not be able to eliminate holiday stress entirely, but small moments of self-care can make a difference. Prioritize getting enough sleep, make time for activities you enjoy, and consider relaxation techniques like meditation. Try to maintain your usual skincare routine, even when your holiday schedule gets busy.
3. Cold Weather & Indoor Heating
As temperatures drop, so does the amount of moisture the air can hold. Cold outdoor air and dry indoor heating can leave your skin feeling tight, itchy, and uncomfortable.
For people with eczema, whose skin barrier may already struggle to retain moisture, these conditions can make dryness and irritation worse.
How to protect your skin: Cover exposed skin when heading outdoors, and avoid overheating when you come back inside. Consider using a humidifier if the air in your home is particularly dry, keeping it clean to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.
Most importantly, moisturize regularly. Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer after bathing and throughout the day as needed to help support your skin barrier and lock in hydration.
4. Scented Candles & Holiday Fragrances
Pine, cinnamon, gingerbread… the scents of the season are everywhere. But scented candles, essential oil diffusers, and air fresheners aren't always friendly to sensitive skin.
Fragrance ingredients can cause allergic contact dermatitis in people with fragrance allergies. Scented products and airborne irritants may also aggravate symptoms in some people with eczema.
How to protect your skin: If fragrances tend to irritate your skin, choose unscented candles and skip heavily fragranced diffusers or air fresheners. You can still create a festive atmosphere with decorations, soft lighting, and other fragrance-free touches.
5. Holiday Travel
Whether you're visiting family or staying in a hotel, traveling can expose your skin to unfamiliar products and environments.
Different laundry detergents, fragranced toiletries, dust, pet dander, and changes to your usual routine may all contribute to irritation, depending on your individual triggers.
How to protect your skin: Pack your usual moisturizers, cleansers, and any prescribed eczema treatments so you don't have to rely on unfamiliar products.
If you're particularly sensitive to laundry detergents, consider bringing your own pillowcase or asking your host about the products they use. And don't forget to moisturize during long journeys, especially when traveling by plane, where cabin air can be very dry.
For more advice, check out our tips for traveling with eczema.
6. Holiday Sweaters
An ugly Christmas sweater might be a holiday tradition, but itchy fabrics are no fun when you have eczema.
Wool and other rough materials can create friction against the skin, worsening itching and irritation. Some synthetic fabrics may also trap heat and sweat, which can be uncomfortable for eczema-prone skin.
How to protect your skin: Choose soft, breathable fabrics like cotton whenever possible. If you have your heart set on a festive sweater, try wearing a soft cotton shirt underneath to create a barrier between the fabric and your skin.
And remember, overheating and sweating can also make eczema itchier, so dress in layers that are easy to remove.
7. Cozy Fires
There's nothing quite like sitting by a crackling fire on a cold winter evening. Unfortunately, wood smoke can contain fine particles and other pollutants that may irritate sensitive skin.
Exposure to air pollution and smoke has been associated with eczema symptoms, although individual reactions vary.
How to protect your skin: If you have a wood-burning fireplace, make sure it's properly maintained and ventilated. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly, and store firewood outdoors to help keep mold and debris out of your home.
If smoke tends to irritate your skin, consider sitting farther from the fireplace or choosing a smoke-free alternative.
Enjoy the Holidays with Gladskin
Living with eczema doesn't mean you have to miss out on your favorite holiday traditions. By identifying your personal triggers and making a few thoughtful adjustments, you can help keep your skin comfortable throughout the season.
One of the best things you can do for eczema-prone skin is to maintain a consistent moisturizing routine, especially during the colder months.
Our Biome Balancing Cream is clinically proven to relieve redness and irritation from eczema-prone skin. Its microbiome-friendly formula helps support the skin barrier while providing lasting hydration.
Whether you're traveling, celebrating with family, or enjoying a quiet evening at home, a little extra care can go a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does eczema get worse during the holidays?
Several factors can contribute to worsening eczema symptoms during the holiday season, including cold weather, dry indoor air, stress, irritating fabrics, and exposure to fragrances. Not everyone experiences the same triggers, so understanding what affects your skin is important.
Can Christmas trees trigger eczema?
Christmas trees can cause skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in some people. Tree sap contains colophony, an allergen that can cause reactions in people who are sensitive to it. Wearing gloves when handling real trees and avoiding direct contact with sap can help.
Does cold weather make eczema worse?
Cold weather can contribute to eczema symptoms because low humidity and indoor heating can dry out the skin. Regular moisturizing, protecting exposed skin outdoors, and avoiding overheating indoors can help reduce dryness and irritation.
Can holiday stress cause eczema flare-ups?
Stress can worsen existing eczema symptoms, including itching and inflammation. Getting enough sleep, maintaining your skincare routine, and making time to relax may help manage stress-related symptoms.
How can I prevent eczema flare-ups while traveling?
Bring your usual skincare products and prescribed treatments, avoid unfamiliar fragranced toiletries, and moisturize regularly. If you know that certain detergents or fabrics irritate your skin, consider bringing your own pillowcase or bedding when staying away from home.
