Are you plagued by painfully itchy, inflamed, or rough skin that negatively affects your quality of life? If you suffer from eczema, you are not alone. In fact, eczema afflicts 31.6% of Americans to some degree. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for eczema. However, there are many ways to avoid allergens and eczema flare ups without relying too heavily upon invasive, and potentially harmful, medications.

Here are some common eczema triggers to avoid:

1. Seasonal allergies or pollen exposure
As sufferers likely already know, not all days are created equal when it comes to the potential for eczema flare-ups. Seasonal triggers are common, although within this category there is much variation among individuals. In the spring, when pollen fills the air, there is a high chance that eczema symptoms will intensify. Spring is not the only potentially triggering season, however; winter may exacerbate symptoms in some people, as the lack of moisture in the air dries out the skin. Others find the heat and humidity of summer triggering and must carefully regulate their body temperature in order to combat the effects. Finally, seasonal changes, like the transition from summer to fall when the temperature abruptly drops, can be triggering.

2. Certain metals
A nickel allergy is one of the most common causes of eczema. Generally, this manifests as a flare-up in the place where the metal came into contact with the skin. The trick is to identify the source of your allergy and pay careful attention to the composition of your jewelry and other metals with which you come into prolonged contact.

3. Cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke is unhealthy for everyone, but those who suffer from eczema have even more reason than most to stay away from the fumes, as it is a common eczema-triggering irritant. Studies have shown that people who were exposed to second-hand smoke in the womb are significantly more likely to develop eczema. On a related note, alcohol can also trigger eczema for some people.

4. Stress
Stress can cause a whole host of health problems, including headaches, aches and pains, memory lapses, depression, and insomnia. Add to this list the fact that if you are susceptible to eczema, you are likely to experience flare-ups when stressed, and you have more reason than ever to do everything in your power to reduce your stress levels.

5. Citrus and dairy products
While many eczema triggers are external, your body’s internal composition also has an effect upon the likelihood that you will experience a breakout of eczema symptoms. Dietary triggers for eczema include some foods that are usually considered healthy, like citrus and dairy products, as well as unhealthy fried food.

6. Fragrances
Scientists still haven’t isolated the precise causes of eczema, but they know that the condition occurs when your body’s immune system overreacts to irritants. In trying to neutralize the perceived threat, your immune system creates painful rashes and sores. Since every individual has different triggers, if you suffer from eczema, it is best to be vigilant at all times to identify what environmental factors are consistently present at the time of flare-ups. For instance, perfumes and fragrances (as well as body washes and hygiene products containing strong fragrance) are a common irritant and might be a trigger for you.