How Hormones Impact Eczema—and What to Do About It

By Diane Angela Fong, ND

Eczema is more than skin-deep. It’s often a sign of imbalance—sometimes from environmental triggers, sometimes from stress—but one frequently overlooked factor is hormones. Shifts in hormone levels can influence your skin’s hydration, immune response, and inflammation—making them a hidden culprit behind frustrating flare-ups.

In this post, we’ll break down the connection between your hormones and eczema, and what you can do to manage both.

Understanding the Connection Between Hormones and Eczema

Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate important processes like metabolism, immune response, and even how well your skin retains moisture. When hormones fall out of balance, eczema symptoms can get worse.

Hormone imbalances may impact eczema by:

• Disrupting the skin barrier

• Altering inflammation levels

• Causing excessive dryness or oiliness

• Affecting immune system function

Let’s take a closer look at how different hormones play a role.

Female Hormones

Menstrual Cycle Fluctuations

Many women notice eczema flares around their periods. That’s because estrogen and progesterone levels shift dramatically during the menstrual cycle.

• Estrogen (peaks mid-cycle): boosts skin hydration and collagen.

• Progesterone (rises in second half): can have a drying effect on the skin.

• Irregular cycles: make it harder to predict flare-ups and may signal underlying hormonal issues like PCOS or thyroid dysfunction.

  
  

When estrogen dips and progesterone rises, skin may become drier and more prone to itching and irritation. If you have irregular cycles, these changes may feel more unpredictable—making eczema harder to manage.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy comes with major hormonal shifts. Some people experience eczema relief due to progesterone’s anti-inflammatory effects. Others see a worsening of symptoms due to immune and estrogen changes.

Perimenopause & Menopause

Hormonal shifts during menopause can significantly impact eczema.

• Estrogen drops → less skin hydration, elasticity, and collagen

• Thinner, drier skin → more prone to cracks, irritation, and flare-ups

• Weakened immune response → increased skin reactivity

Perimenopause also involves fluctuating progesterone, which can create more irregular cycles and skin changes. By menopause, both estrogen and progesterone are significantly reduced, increasing sensitivity to environmental eczema triggers.

Male Hormones

While hormonal discussions often center on women, men are not immune to hormone-related eczema triggers. In men, testosterone and DHEA are key hormones that influence immune response, skin health, and inflammation.

When Male Hormones Are Imbalanced

Low testosterone (a condition called hypogonadism) or imbalanced DHEA levels can disrupt the skin’s barrier function and immune regulation, leading to eczema or worsening flare-ups.

Possible signs of hormonal imbalance in men:

• Increased skin sensitivity or dryness

• Frequent eczema flare-ups, especially with added stress

• Low libido, fatigue, mood changes, or muscle loss (signs of low testosterone)

• Increased abdominal fat or insulin resistance (can fuel inflammation)

Even in men, stress, poor sleep, toxins, and gut dysfunction can throw off hormone balance. That’s why eczema management should always look at the whole person—not just the skin.

Thyroid Hormones

Your thyroid is a small gland with a big job. It produces hormones—primarily T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine)—that regulate metabolism, energy, body temperature, and even skin health. When the thyroid is imbalanced, it can disrupt the skin’s ability to stay hydrated and resilient, increasing the likelihood of eczema flares.

🔽 Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

When thyroid hormone levels are too low, your body slows down—including your skin's ability to heal and retain moisture.

Common skin-related symptoms:

• Dry, rough, or flaky skin

• Thickened skin with reduced elasticity (can worsen flare-ups)

• Slower recovery from eczema outbreaks

• Increased cold sensitivity, which often makes dryness worse

🔼 Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

Too much thyroid hormone speeds things up—including your metabolism and your skin’s oil and sweat production.

Common skin-related symptoms:

• Thin, fragile, or excessively sweaty skin

• Increased irritation and inflammation

• Heat intolerance → sweat can trigger or worsen eczema, especially in creases or folds

If you’re dealing with eczema plus symptoms like fatigue, unexplained weight changes, temperature sensitivity, or mood shifts, thyroid dysfunction could be playing a hidden role. Comprehensive thyroid testing (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and antibodies) can help uncover what’s really going on.

Stress Hormones

Stress isn’t just mental—it triggers real physiological changes that directly impact your skin. When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone designed to reduce inflammation in the short term. But when stress becomes chronic, this system gets thrown off.

🔁 What Happens with Chronic Stress:

• Cortisol dysregulation can lead to immune imbalance and rebound inflammation

• Skin barrier function decreases, leading to dryness, irritation, and flares

• Hormone levels like estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid can become disrupted

• Cortisol resistance may develop, where tissues no longer respond effectively—resulting in inflammation that’s harder to control

In women, stress also affects menstrual cycles, which can worsen hormone-related eczema. In men, prolonged stress can lower testosterone and DHEA, impacting skin and immune health.

Managing Hormones and Eczema

Understanding the relationship between hormones and eczema can help in managing the condition more effectively. Here are some strategies to consider:

Track Hormonal Changes

Keeping a diary of your eczema flare-ups alongside menstrual cycles or other hormonal changes can help identify patterns. This information can be useful for managing symptoms and discussing potential treatments with a healthcare provider.

Get Tested for Hormonal Imbalances

Testing your hormones can reveal underlying imbalances that may be contributing to eczema, but timing is key—especially for cycling women. The type of test and when you take it can dramatically affect accuracy and insights.

🔬 Types of Hormone Tests

1. Blood Tests (Serum)

• Best for: Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid markers, LH, FSH, prolactin, insulin, DHEA, SHBG.

• Pros: Widely used, quick results, often covered by insurance.

• Limitations: Captures just one moment in time—less helpful for hormones that fluctuate throughout the day.

2. Saliva Tests

• Best for: Cortisol (especially 4-point testing), DHEA, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone.

• Pros: Shows free (active) hormone levels; helpful for adrenal and diurnal patterns.

• Limitations: Can be affected by dry mouth, food residue, or oral hormones.

3. Urine Tests

• Best for: In-depth look at sex hormone metabolites, cortisol rhythm, and hormone detox pathways.

• Pros: Can get comprehensive hormone + detox data in one test.

• Limitations: More expensive, not always covered by insurance.

4. Thyroid Panels

• A complete panel should include:

  • TSH

  • Free T3

  • Free T4

  • Reverse T3

  • TPO & Tg antibodies (to screen for autoimmune thyroid disease)

5. Additional Functional Tests

• Glucose & insulin levels (to check for insulin resistance, PCOS)

• CRP or hs-CRP (systemic inflammation)

• Vitamin D (supports hormone and immune function)

• Stool test (for gut inflammation, microbiome health, and estrogen clearance)

🗓️ Best Time to Test (For Cycling Women)

If you are a woman, when you collect your sample matters—especially if you're trying to understand cyclical hormone shifts.

Hormone	Best Time to Test	Why It Matters
Estrogen (E2)	Days 3-5 and/or Days 19–21 (luteal phase)	Baseline levels before ovulation and/or Gives insight into estrogen and progesterone ratio
Progesterone	Days 19–21	Peaks post-ovulation—important for cycle balance
LH & FSH	Days 3–5	Assesses baseline ovarian function
Testosterone/DHEA	Days 3–7	Captures baseline androgen activity
Cortisol (4-point)	Any day (saliva or urine)	Evaluates stress and adrenal rhythm
Thyroid Panel	Any day (morning is best)	Typically not cycle-dependent

If you don’t have a regular cycle, testing may need to be adjusted based on symptoms and history. We help personalize that for you.

Manage Stress

Stress is a common factor contributing to both irregular menstrual cycles and eczema flare-ups. Stress affects cortisol levels, which can influence skin inflammation and immune response. Additionally, stress-induced hormonal imbalances can make menstrual cycles more irregular, creating a cycle of exacerbating eczema symptoms. Incorporating stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness, exercise, and relaxation practices can help manage cortisol levels and potentially improve eczema symptoms.

Eat a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet that supports overall health can influence hormone levels and skin health. Consider including foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that support skin integrity and immune function.  A diet rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins can support overall skin health and help regulate hormone levels. Consider including foods that promote skin hydration and reduce inflammation.

Avoid Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that interfere with your body’s natural hormone production, signaling, and detoxification. These compounds can mimic, block, or alter hormone function, throwing your endocrine system off balance—and potentially worsening eczema.

⚠️ Common Sources of EDCs:

• Plastics (especially water bottles, food containers, and plastic wrap—look for BPA, phthalates)

• Conventional cleaning products with harsh chemicals

• Synthetic fragrances found in air fresheners, candles, laundry detergents, and skincare

• Pesticide-treated produce and non-organic animal products

✅ How to Reduce Your Exposure:

• Choose non-toxic personal care and cleaning products labeled fragrance-free or EWG-verified

• Ditch plastic: Use glass, stainless steel, or silicone containers for food and drinks

• Go organic: Prioritize organic produce (especially the Dirty Dozen) and hormone-free animal products

• Filter your water: Use a high-quality filter for drinking and bathing water to remove heavy metals, chlorine, and EDCs

• Improve indoor air quality: Ventilate your home and consider an air purifier to reduce airborne chemicals and allergens

Every small change reduces the burden on your hormones—and your skin. If you have eczema and suspect hormonal or environmental triggers, lowering your toxic load is a powerful first step toward healing.

Support Your Drainage Organs

Your liver, gut, kidneys, and lymphatic system form the body’s natural detox network—what we call your drainage organs. These systems are responsible for clearing out waste, toxins, and used hormones. But when they become overwhelmed or sluggish, your body’s ability to maintain hormone balance and healthy skin suffers.

Hormonal imbalances, toxin buildup, and inflammation can all worsen eczema symptoms when your drainage pathways aren’t functioning optimally.

🔄 Why Each Organ Matters:

• Liver: Filters toxins, metabolizes hormones like estrogen and cortisol, and produces bile to eliminate waste

• Kidneys: Regulate fluid balance and help excrete waste through urine

• Gut: Supports hormone detox and prevents reabsorption of toxins (especially excess estrogen)

• Lymphatic system: Clears immune waste, inflammation, and cellular debris

Our CleanSKIN Drainage Kit was specifically designed to support your gut and liver—two key players in both hormone balance and skin health. It’s a gentle, functional way to enhance your body’s ability to eliminate toxins and reduce flare-ups.

CleanSKIN Drainage Kit

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How Cleanbody Can Help

At Cleanbody, we specialize in identifying where your detox pathways may be blocked and providing customized care plans to restore flow. Whether through targeted nutrition, drainage support, or gentle detox protocols, our goal is to:

✅ Relieve the burden on your drainage organs

✅ Balance your hormones naturally

✅ Reduce inflammation and eczema flare-ups

✅ Promote clear, healthy skin from the inside out

If you’re struggling with hormonal eczema or suspect your detox pathways are blocked, supporting drainage is a foundational step—and it’s exactly what we do best at Cleanbody. Start your journey by booking a Root Cause Consultation.

You may benefit from a Root Cause Consultation if:

• You have moderate to severe eczema

• You experience multiple health symptoms, such as fatigue, bloating, brain fog, or allergies

• You’ve tried many approaches but haven’t found lasting relief

• You’re not sure what’s triggering your eczema or what to do next

Our personalized evaluations help uncover the root causes of eczema so that you can stop guessing and start healing.

👉 Book your Root Cause Consultation here to get started. Use the code BLOG10 to get 10% off!

Questions?

We are going live to discuss this topic on Wednesday, April 22, 2025 at 12:30 PM PST! Watch the live or check out the replay here:

erences

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About the Authors:

Dr. Diane Angela Fong, ND, is the CEO and founder of Cleanbody, a wellness company dedicated to treating and preventing chronic disease. She is the creator of the Cleanbody Method, which follows a three-step process: Evaluate (digging into the root causes of chronic disease using lab testing and other evaluation tools), Optimize (enhancing health foundations by addressing nutrition, lifestyle, and toxic exposures), and Support (optimizing organ functions through healing protocols).

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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