The Hidden Role of Water in Living with Eczema

Eczema, especially atopic dermatitis, affects around 10 percent of Americans. Many know it as dry, itchy skin. However, it causes more than discomfort. People endure sleepless nights, emotional strain, and social challenges.

Oscar Brann, once a shoe manufacturer in Maine, expected calm retirement. Instead, eczema forced him indoors and altered his life. “The skin that came off my feet, it was just unbelievable,” he said. Severe flare‑ups ended his ability to fish with his grandson or work in the yard.

Likewise, Abby Cramond didn’t grow up with eczema. It emerged during high school. She mistook her symptoms for simple dry skin. “My boss told me to go to the ER immediately,” she recalled. In 2019, she finally received a diagnosis.

Dr. Brittany Craiglow, a dermatologist at Yale, calls eczema a “quality‑of‑life disease.” Patients often lose sleep, feel embarrassed and battle anxiety or depression. On lighter skin, eczema appears red or pink. On darker skin, it may show as purple, brown, or gray. Common areas include inner elbows, knees, hands, feet, neck—and for infants, the cheeks.

Why Eczema Persists: Leaky Barriers and Immune Response

Dermatologists see skin like a brick wall. In eczema, the “mortar” fails. Dr. Shari Lipner of Weill Cornell describes it: “It’s almost like there’s little holes in it.” This lets moisture escape and irritants penetrate more easily.

Many patients lack enough filaggrin, a protein that strengthens the skin’s barrier. Meanwhile, their immune systems overreact, triggering inflammation through molecules called cytokines. Dr. Danielle Baruch notes that researchers are “still learning a lot about why some people develop eczema and some people don’t.”

Environmental factors add more stress. Dry air, hot water, fragrances, preservatives, emotional stress—and importantly, water quality—can all trigger flare‑ups.

When Water Makes Skin Suffer

Most people trust tap water. Yet for eczema sufferers, it may worsen symptoms. Hard water, loaded with calcium and magnesium, interacts with soap to leave a residue. That residue clogs pores and weakens the skin further.

Municipal water often contains chlorine. While it disinfects, it also dries out skin and sparks inflammation. Many experts now see water chemistry as a key irritant.

Both articles emphasize water’s impact. Hot showers strip natural oils, and residue from hard water prevents proper rinsing. In affected skin, these factors reinforce the itch‑scratch cycle.

Treatment Strategies: Combining Care and Water Solutions

Skin Care and Lifestyle

Use fragrance‑free, thick moisturizers with ceramides, glycerin or dimethicone. “Bland is best when you have eczema,” said Dr. Craiglow.
Shower briefly in lukewarm water and moisturize right away to lock in hydration.
Avoid hot, prolonged baths, fragrances, and harsh cleansers.

Medical Treatments

Over‑the‑counter hydrocortisone can calm mild flare‑ups.
Prescription topicals, like stronger corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors, help when OTC remedies fail.
Phototherapy offers controlled UV treatment for moderate to severe cases.
Oral medications, such as immunosuppressants or JAK inhibitors, adjust immune responses.
Biologics, including those taken by Abby Cramond, target specific immune molecules. These have transformed care. Dr. JiaDe Yu from Massachusetts General remarked, “We’ve come a long way.” Dr. Peter Lio called this period a “golden age” of treatment advances.

Water Filtration Options

Many readers likely know about skincare and medication. Yet the role of water remains less discussed:

Showerhead filters reduce chlorine before water touches the skin.
Whole‑home water conditioners transform hard minerals into gentler ions, improving soap cleansing and skin feel.
Reverse osmosis systems installed at sinks remove chlorine and impurities, ideal for drinking and cooking—and worth considering for eczema management.

Research and patient stories support these tools. They won’t cure eczema, but they ease the burden on vulnerable skin. By reducing irritants, filtration allows treatments and skincare to work better.

Personal Accounts: The Emotional Toll

Oscar Brann and Abby Cramond represent two age groups and two life stories. Brann, at 62, lost retirement freedom. Cramond, in her twenties, struggles with confidence and identity. She shared: “I’m confident now in my skin. My skin may change, but my confidence is here to stay.”

Their words reflect a broader truth. Eczema patients often endure shame, stigma, and delays in seeking help. Dr. Lio points out many patients normalize symptoms and avoid care due to cost, distance, or embarrassment.

Bringing It All Together

Eczema damages the skin barrier and fuels immune overreaction.
Irritants—from water, air, or products—add stress to sensitive skin.
Filtration systems remove chlorine and hard minerals, supporting barrier functions.
Medical therapies—from hydrocortisone to biologics—target both symptoms and causes.
Patients benefit from care that combines water quality with lifestyle and medical support.

In most homes, water flows without thought. Yet for eczema sufferers, every shower or faucet may bring hidden challenges. By addressing water chemicals and minerals, patients protect their fragile barriers.

Combined with dermatologist‑recommended skincare and tailored treatments, filters help patients manage symptoms more effectively. They reduce daily triggers, support barrier repair and allow other interventions to perform at full strength.

Take a look at some of our products to help your eczema but filtering your water.

Sources: WebMD, NY Times, USA Today