Why Did My Eczema Come Back So Bad?

Hi—I’m April from April On Her Own ~ Later In Life. This article expands on a recent conversation I shared in a video about my lifelong battle with eczema: what it felt like growing up with it, the strange triggers I’ve discovered over the years, how menopause and bioidentical hormones changed my skin, and the remedies that have actually helped me. If you’re a woman over 40 or 50, or anyone else struggling with stubborn flare-ups, I hope my story helps you feel less alone and gives you a few practical ideas to try.

My eczema story: from infancy to now

I’ve had eczema since I was born. My mom told me it covered a large portion of my body when I arrived, and as a child it got so bad that “my fingernails would actually fall off.” I remember hiding my hands in grade school, feeling embarrassed when they bled, and avoiding holding hands with a first boyfriend because I was ashamed of the patches and flaky skin.

When I left home young my diet changed and my eczema cleared for about ten years. But in the last six months it’s come back with a vengeance—and in places I’ve never had it before. After decades of knowing my skin, this relapse has been confusing and frustrating.

Hormones and menopause made a difference—then it returned

One of the most surprising things for me was the effect of hormones. When I went into menopause, doctors found my hormone levels had been very low for many years. After I started bioidentical hormone therapy, my eczema completely cleared up for a long time. I’ve been on them for almost 12 years and don’t know if I’ll ever stop.

That said, even with hormones helping for years, eczema can still come back. My current breakout is widespread—forehead, eyelids, under and around my breasts, and across my hands—so I’ve been revisiting everything I’ve learned about triggers and treatments.

Common triggers I’ve discovered

Everyone’s triggers are different, but from my experience these factors consistently affect eczema:

• Stress — emotional strain is a huge trigger for me.

• Food — certain foods make a big difference. For me, beer (I suspect the hops) and popcorn are definite triggers.

• Allergies and animals — cats in particular used to set off flare-ups.

• Environment and humidity — I live on the west coast of Canada with lots of allergens; I notice my skin behaves better when I’m in Mexico.

• Weather changes — dry, cold, or fluctuating conditions can irritate the skin.

One weird but real example: a big bowl of popcorn before bed has woken me up scratching like crazy the next morning. I avoid popcorn and beer now because I know what they do to my skin.

Nails, cuticles and the emotional toll

My eczema has sometimes attacked my nails and cuticles. I’ve had nails go bumpy and start to lift; once they fall off it takes ages to grow back properly. That’s emotionally heavy—constantly hiding hands, feeling insecure, and avoiding showing people my skin.

“It was so bad that my fingernails would actually fall off.”

When my cuticles disappear, the protective seal around the nail bed is gone and debris or bacteria can get under the nail—making things worse. That’s why cuticle care is crucial for anyone with hand eczema.

What has helped me (treatments and remedies)

Over the years I’ve tried many things. Here are the ones that have worked best for me personally:

• Betaderm ointment — My go-to. It’s a prescription steroid ointment that clears inflammation well. Important note: ask for an ointment rather than a cream at the pharmacy. Many creams are mixed with a base (I learned it as “Glaxo” or a similar cream base) that can sting or worsen eczema for some people.

• Be careful with steroid creams on eyelids — Steroids can thin the skin, so eyelids need special caution. There’s a prescription topical called Protopic (tacrolimus) for facial/eyelid eczema, but it’s expensive here in Canada and sold in quantities that can go unused before they expire.

• Sulfur soap — Mineral sulfur helped me as a kid and a simple sulfur soap bar can still help reduce flare-ups for some people. It doesn’t have to smell strongly to be effective.

• Almond oil for cuticles — Pure almond oil (no additives) is my recommended cuticle treatment. Use it straight from the jar to help encourage cuticle growth—don’t use cosmetic “cuticle oils” that have extra ingredients which may irritate sensitive skin.

• Balance moisture and dryness — Overusing creams or ointments can cause other problems. Find the right amount of hydration for your skin: enough to stop cracking and pain, but not so much that it becomes dependent or worsens irritation.

• Hot springs/sulfur baths — When I was younger, genuine mineral hot springs (sulfur-rich) helped clear my eczema—another hint that sulfur-based treatments may help some people.

Pharmacy tip: When your doctor prescribes a topical steroid, tell the pharmacist you want it dispensed as an ointment rather than a cream. I’ve found the cream base was often what made my eczema burn and itch more—especially as a child when I’d tell my parents, “It burns. It burns my eczema.”

Practical daily tips that matter

• Keep your hands dry—frequent washing and damp hands make the skin worse. I avoid hand-dryer machines in public bathrooms because I’m trying to keep my hands dry after washing.

• Keep nails short so you can’t scratch through a flare-up.

• Avoid known food triggers (for me: popcorn and beer).

• If using prescription topicals, use them sparingly and under guidance—eyelids are especially sensitive.

• Use pure, single-ingredient products where possible (e.g., pure almond oil) to reduce the risk of reactions.

The emotional side—and why it’s OK to talk about it

Eczema is more than dry skin: it can affect confidence, social interactions, and emotional well-being. I know I often hide my hands and feel insecure when my eczema flares. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed or avoided mingling because of visible eczema, you’re not alone.

Sharing our experiences helps. I’d love to hear how you cope—what triggers you’ve discovered, what treatments helped you, and whether you’ve ever lost a nail or had to hide your hands in public.

Final thoughts

Eczema is complex and deeply personal. I’ve learned a lot over my lifetime: the power of hormones, the surprising role of foods like popcorn or beer, the sting of a cream base that doesn’t agree with me, and the help I’ve found in steroid ointments, sulfur, and simple almond oil for cuticles.

If you have eczema, keep experimenting carefully, track triggers, and talk to your healthcare provider about options that suit your skin. And if anything in my experience resonates, tell me below—your story might help someone else feel less alone.

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