Joana Deplazes , 5 February 2025
Humidify the air
What helps against atopic dermatitis? Effects of humidity and air quality
Dry, itchy skin and unpleasant inflammation – anyone who suffers from atopic dermatitis knows how stressful this skin condition can be. But did you know that the indoor climate in your home has a decisive influence on your skin health? Factors such as excessively dry air or air pollution can significantly worsen the symptoms. The good news is that with the right devices, such as humidifiers, air purifiers and air washers, you can actively take countermeasures and relieve your skin. But why is the indoor climate so important? In this article, you will find out what neurodermitis actually is and how external influences such as air quality can affect the symptoms.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Find out in this article
- What is atopic dermatitis and how does the indoor climate affect the symptoms?
- Skin health and air quality: what helps against atopic dermatitis?
- Humidifiers, air purifiers and air washers for atopic dermatitis: support for dry skin
- Additional care and everyday tips
What is atopic dermatitis and how does the indoor climate affect the symptoms?
Atopic dermatitis, also known as neurodermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that occurs in phases. It belongs to the group of atopic diseases, like asthma and hay fever, and manifests itself in various symptoms. It is characterised in particular by dry, brittle skin that tends to lose moisture, as well as intense itching, which can significantly impair quality of life. The affected areas of skin are often inflamed, reddened and scaly. Eczema often occurs in the hollow of the knee or crook of the elbow, but also on the hands and face. The disease usually begins in childhood, but can also affect adults. The frequency and severity of flare-ups varies from person to person and depends on various external and internal influences.
The exact causes of atopic dermatitis have not been fully researched, but there are some key triggers. Genetics play an important role: a familial predisposition increases the risk, especially if close relatives also have atopic diseases. Another characteristic is an impaired skin barrier. The skin cannot retain sufficient moisture, which makes it susceptible to irritants, allergens and germs. In addition, an overreaction of the immune system leads to the typical inflammatory processes in the skin.
The importance of the skin barrier
The skin barrier, the outer protective layer of the skin, is crucial for skin health. It consists of dead skin cells that lie on top of each other like bricks and lipids (fats) that hold these cells together. This structure is supplemented by the acid mantle, a thin layer of water, sebum and sweat that regulates the pH value and fends off harmful microorganisms.
The skin barrier is weakened in people with atopic dermatitis. The "bricks" are not sufficiently connected to each other, allowing moisture to escape and pollutants to penetrate more easily. This leads to dryness, cracks and increased sensitivity to irritation.
Influence of humidity and air quality on atopic dermatitis
The indoor climate plays a key role in symptom control. Dry air in particular, as created by heating systems in winter or air conditioning in summer, draws moisture from the skin. This increases the dryness and intensifies the itching. Low humidity also weakens the already damaged skin barrier and favours the formation of cracks.
The indoor climate plays a key role in symptom control. Dry air in particular, as created by heating systems in winter or air conditioning in summer, draws moisture from the skin. This increases the dryness and intensifies the itching. Low humidity also weakens the already damaged skin barrier and favours the formation of cracks.
Air pollution can also exacerbate the symptoms. Pollutants such as particulate matter promote inflammatory processes and increase the likelihood of flare-ups. Allergens such as pollen or house dust mites in the air are other factors that can irritate the skin, especially in people with additional allergic diseases.
Skin health, humidity and air quality: what helps against atopic dermatitis?
A healthy indoor climate that relieves the skin and alleviates symptoms such as dryness and itching helps to combat atopic dermatitis. The right humidity is essential for healthy skin with atopic dermatitis. Humidity that is too low can dry out the skin, which leads to increased itching and cracking of the skin in sufferers of this skin condition. Relative humidity should be between 40–60 % indoors to protect the skin barrier and maintain the skin's moisture balance. You can find out how humidity affects skin care in this blog article.It is also important to avoid irritating substances in the room air. Perfumed room fragrances or aggressive cleaning agents should be avoided wherever possible.
A study has shown that targeted control of indoor humidity has a positive effect on the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Sufficient humidity strengthens the skin barrier as it prevents the skin from drying out excessively and becoming more susceptible to irritation. Skin health deteriorates significantly in rooms with excessively dry air, which emphasises the importance of a controlled indoor climate.
Studies confirm that indoor air quality can have a positive impact on skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Improving indoor air quality not only helps to alleviate the symptoms of neurodermatitis, but also supports the skin barrier. Harmful air conditions, such as a high concentration of pollutants or allergens, can stimulate inflammatory processes and exacerbate existing symptoms. The targeted control of air humidity and room climate is therefore a key factor in minimising skin irritation and reducing atopic dermatitis flare-ups.
Humidifiers, air purifiers and air washers for atopic dermatitis: support for dry skin
Humidifiers, air purifiers, and air washers can be helpful for atopic dermatitis, especially for dry skin. Dry air, such as that found in winter months or air-conditioned rooms, irritates the skin and increases itching. Humidifiers increase humidity and protect against dehydration, while air purifiers filter out pollutants and allergens. Air washers combine both functions – they humidify the air and clean it of particles at the same time.Humidifier to help relief atopic dermatitis
By increasing the humidity indoors, humidifiers help the skin with atopic dermatitis to retain moisture. A relative humidity of 40–60 % is considered ideal. This can be monitored using a hygrometer. Optimal humidity helps to reduce dryness and irritation, which often occur with atopic dermatitis. It is important to clean the humidifier regularly to avoid bacteria and germs. The water tank and removable parts should be washed once a week with warm water and mild detergent. Make sure that the appliance is dry before it is used again. The water should also be changed regularly to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
Air purifier to help relief atopic dermatitis
Air purifiers are effective at filtering allergens, particulate matter and pollutants from the air that can trigger atopic dermatitis flare-ups. They help to improve air quality and reduce trigger factors such as pollen, dust mites and air pollution that can promote inflammation and skin irritation.
Air washer to help relief atopic dermatitis
With a combination of air humidification and air purification, air washers offer a dual function for neurodermatitis. They humidify the air and purify it of particles at the same time, which is an ideal solution for improving humidity and air quality.
Air purifiers are effective at filtering allergens, particulate matter and pollutants from the air that can trigger atopic dermatitis flare-ups. They help to improve air quality and reduce trigger factors such as pollen, dust mites and air pollution that can promote inflammation and skin irritation.
Air washer to help relief atopic dermatitis
With a combination of air humidification and air purification, air washers offer a dual function for neurodermatitis. They humidify the air and purify it of particles at the same time, which is an ideal solution for improving humidity and air quality.
Additional care and everyday tips
In addition to optimising the indoor climate, there are other measures that can help with neurodermatitis:
- Use moisturising creams without fragrances: Moisturising creams help to provide the skin with the necessary moisture and strengthen its barrier function. However, fragrances can cause irritation or allergic reactions, especially on sensitive skin. It is therefore advisable to choose products without fragrances so as not to put additional strain on the skin.
- Reduce contact with allergens and irritating substances: Allergens such as pollen, animal hair or fragrances as well as irritating substances such as certain cleaning agents or chemicals can exacerbate the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. To avoid outbreaks, it is important to minimise contact with these substances by airing the room regularly, using household products without aggressive ingredients and avoiding allergic triggers.
- Maintain a constant room temperature and avoid dry heating air: Extreme temperature fluctuations or dry heating air can dry out the skin and cause irritation. A constant room temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius is ideal to protect the skin.
- Ensure a balanced diet with omega-3 fatty acids: A study showed that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids led to an improvement in the skin condition of atopic dermatitis patients. The fatty acids strengthened the skin barrier and reduced inflammatory processes. These fatty acids are found in foods such as oily fish, nuts and linseed.
Would you like to find out more about how a humidifier can help you feel better or what different humidifier systems are available? You can find more information on our information page about humidifying the air.
More about humidifying the air
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