Why Does Postpartum Eczema Happen And How To Manage It?

At six weeks postpartum, Sheryl noticed the skin on her knuckles were split and cracked, and her inside elbow itched so badly during late-night feeds that she couldn’t get back to sleep. The eczema flare-up came suddenly; red, cracked and painfully tight skin.

It all happened suddenly, after her baby was born. She traced it back to a few everyday changes: constant handwashing for feeds and sterilising bottles, a floral confinement oil her aunt recommended, and the long breastfeeding sessions hugging a sweaty baby.

What Is Postpartum Eczema

Postpartum eczema is the development or worsening of eczema after childbirth. You get itchy, inflamed, dry skin that can crack, bleed, or even weep. It could happen to a new mum even if they did not have a previous eczema history.

Hormone shifts, sleep loss, frequent washing and new products around the house all commonly play a part. Add it with the stress and tiredness, it’s not unusual to see eczema pop up in the weeks after birth.

Why Postpartum Eczema Happens

Hormonal changes

After birth, estrogen and progesterone levels fall quickly. That drop reduces skin hydration and weakens the lipid layers that keep moisture in, so skin becomes drier and more prone to cracking.

At the same time, prolactin (the milk‑making hormone) changes can make itch and inflammation feel stronger. So what used to be a mild tingle can become a full‑blown flare.

Immune System Rebound

During pregnancy the immune system shifts into a more tolerant mode to protect the baby. After delivery it swings back, and for some people that rebound goes a little too far. The result can be increased inflammatory responses in the skin; basically the body overreacts and fuels eczema.

Barrier Depletion

Giving birth, blood loss, and the fast pace of postpartum life can leave you dehydrated. Add hot showers, frequent handwashing for feeds and sterilising, and the skin’s natural lipids get washed away. Without those lipids the barrier can’t hold water or keep irritants out, so dryness, cracks and weeping patches become more likely.

Microbiome Shifts

Your gut and skin flora can change after childbirth. For example, it can happen if you are taking antibiotics (e.g. for C‑section or infections), or just the stress of childbirth. Those shifts may increase sensitivity or reduce beneficial microbes that normally help calm inflammation.

Stress and Sleep Debt

Ever notice your skin gets worse when you’re exhausted? Cortisol swings from stress, plus fragmented sleep, lower the threshold for itch and make scratching harder to resist. That itch–scratch cycle then perpetuates inflammation and delays healing.

Climate

Our heat and humidity will cause sweating and friction (esp. from babywearing, nursing bras, or moist folds) which irritate vulnerable skin and trap salt and bacteria. Using aircon can dry the air and the skin, so you can get squeezed between sweaty outside trips and parched indoor environments.

When you get sweaty, pat the area dry instead of rubbing, and change out of damp clothes quickly. After babywearing or outdoor trips, a quick cool rinse (or a change into a dry, breathable layer) helps remove salt and sweat that can irritate sensitive skin.

Frequent Handwashing

Your hygiene instincts are on high alert when the baby arrives. So you are hand washing things more than ever. Switch to a gentle, fragrance‑free handwash and keep a moisturiser (cream or ointment) by every sink so you can apply right after washing.

For longer wet tasks, wear nitrile gloves rather than latex if you’re sensitive. If you must use alcohol sanitisers, apply moisturiser as soon as the alcohol evaporates to restore lost lipids and prevent cracking.

Laundry and Home Care

Your laundry routine can be an invisible irritant. Use fragrance‑ and dye‑free detergent and run an extra rinse cycle to remove residue that can transfer to skin.

Skip fabric softeners and scent beads entirely as those residues are common culprits for contact dermatitis in mums and babies. If you have a helper, show them the product label and the exact dosing to avoid over‑use.

Confinement and Cultural Products

I know many mums cherish traditional confinement rituals. But herbal baths, essential oils and medicated plasters can trigger contact dermatitis, especially on already compromised skin. These products are potent and often fragranced or medicated.

Another culprit is the traditional advice to STOP BATHING or washing your hair altogether. I know it’s supposed to prevent “cold” or “wind”. But, this just puts your skin under even more stress.

Baby Products That Touch Mum’s Skin

Wipes, nappy creams and baby lotions don’t stay only on baby. Your hands, chest and nipples may pick up residues during feeds and changes. Opt for minimal‑ingredient, fragrance‑free baby products and wipe your breasts with warm water only before nursing if needed.

Scan ingredient lists for common offenders like methylisothiazolinone (MI) and cocamidopropyl betaine, as these can cause contact reactions in sensitive mums.

Eczema vs Other Postpartum Rashes

But what if the skin irritation that you’re seeing is not really an eczema flare-up? It can be confusing to tell rashes apart when you’re exhausted and busy with a baby. Here are simple ways to spot the usual suspects:

• Heat rash: tiny red bumps in sweaty folds (under the breast, neck, groin). It tends to sting or prickle more than an all‑over itch and often shows up right after overheating.
• PUPPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy): typically begins late in pregnancy on the abdomen and usually goes away after delivery.
• Contact dermatitis: a local reaction to an irritant or allergen (think new detergent, wipes, confinement oil). It’s often limited to where the product touched and can be very clearly demarcated.
• Mastitis: nipple pain with fever, a single wedge‑shaped area of redness, or pus. This is a local infection.

If you’re unsure, check with your GP or dermatologist, as the treatments can be different for each one.

How Long Can It Last?

Many postpartum flares settle as hormones recalibrate. For most people, things often stabilise within 3–6 months after delivery.

That said, good barrier care, such as consistent moisturising, avoiding known irritants, and short targeted medical treatment when needed can shorten flares and reduce how often they come back. In other words: steady, simple routines make a big difference.

Get Relief With This Action Plan

If your skin is flaring now, these simple steps will calm inflammation, protect the barrier and give you something practical to do between feeds.

1) Update your shower routine

• Take a lukewarm shower (avoid hot water). Use only a gentle, fragrance‑free cleanser on sweaty folds and areas that touched baby or the outside world. Skip full‑body soaping if your skin is very dry; water rinse + moisturiser is fine.
• Pat skin gently with a towel; leave skin slightly damp. Apply your moisturiser or ointment head‑to‑toe within three minutes to lock in that moisture. A thin layer on the face, a thicker ointment on hands and cracked areas works well.
• Quick tip: when time is tight, prioritise the hands, neck/chest and any open cracks first.

2) Protect Your Hands

• Moisturise after every single handwash. Keep a pot of thick ointment (ointment or petrolatum‑style) by each sink and a travel size in your bag. Apply to damp hands for best absorption.
• Switch to a mild, fragrance‑free handwash (gel or cream) and avoid antibacterial or heavily scented soaps where possible. Use warm, not hot, water.
• For wet chores (dishwashing, bulk cleaning) wear nitrile gloves. Put thin cotton liners inside the gloves to soak sweat and reduce irritation; change liners if they get damp. After chores, wash hands and re‑apply ointment.

3) Have a Night Regimen

• At bedtime apply a generous layer of emollient/ointment to affected areas. Cover hands or arms with breathable eczema sleeves or cotton gloves to prevent unconscious scratching. This occlusion speeds repair without trapping too much heat.
• Keep the bedroom cool and well ventilated; a cooler room reduces sweating and itch. If you use aircon, avoid blasting it directly onto inflamed skin; a fan on low can also help.
• Trim and file nails short to reduce damage if you do scratch in the night. Consider a pair of soft gloves or eczema mittens if you wake often to scratch.

4) Simplify Products

• Strip back to fragrance‑free basics: one gentle cleanser, one cream or ointment, and one targeted product. Fewer ingredients = fewer chances of contact reactions.
• If using medicated creams (steroids or tacrolimus), apply only as advised by your doctor and avoid applying them to the areola right before feeds; wipe off any residue before latching.

Mum and Baby-Safe Products from Skinshare.sg

100% Pure Australian Emu Oil

Why mums love it: Emu oil is rich in omega‑3, 6 and 9 fatty acids which help reinforce the skin’s lipid barrier while feeling light on the skin. It helps lock moisture in without leaving a heavy, sticky film, and many mums find that it absorbs quickly so it won’t interfere with feeds or daily tasks.

How to use: After a lukewarm shower, pat skin slightly damp and rub 2–3 drops into each affected patch (you can mix a few drops into your regular cream for larger areas). Important breastfeeding note: avoid applying directly to the nipple right before a feed; if you do use it on the breast, apply after feeding and wipe the area clean before the next latch.

Silver Gel (for Open / Weepy Skin)

Why it helps: Argasol Silver Gel is formulated to soothe and help keep compromised skin clean while it heals. Silver has antimicrobial properties that can reduce surface bacterial load on small broken areas, and the gel texture cools and comforts raw patches.

How to use: Apply a thin layer directly to small open or weepy spots once or twice daily as a first‑aid step. Let it sit briefly, then follow with your usual emollient or ointment to seal in moisture. Only use on limited areas and stop if irritation occurs.

Gloves In a Bottle

Why it helps: “Gloves in a Bottle” is ideal for new mothers due to its unique function as a shielding lotion. Unlike traditional moisturisers that can be easily washed away, this product creates a microscopic, invisible barrier on the skin’s surface. This barrier acts like a pair of protective gloves, locking in the skin’s natural moisture while fending off the harsh, moisture-stripping effects of frequent hand washing, sanitizers, and detergents.

How to use: Apply a small, pea-sized amount and rub it in thoroughly, ensuring you cover all areas. Let the lotion absorb completely. For continued protection, simply reapply every four hours or as needed, especially after tasks that involve prolonged exposure to water or chemicals.

Stay Strong!

Postpartum eczema is frustrating, but it’s very common, and very manageable. Gentle, consistent habits combined with the right products can really calm your skin in weeks. Prioritise barrier repair (moisturise often, apply thicker ointments overnight when you can), simplify to fragrance‑free basics, and protect your hands. Small, steady changes are what rebuild the skin barrier and stop the itch–scratch cycle.

When you feel more comfortable, you sleep better, feed with less pain, and enjoy your time with your baby more.

Help share this guide with other mums!