Dealing with eczema is no easy feat.
All the itching, scratching and pain is exhausting.
Not to mention all the different skincare products you are using.
So you might be wondering, does eczema have a smell?
Is it me? Is it a combination of all the creams and lotions I’ve been using?
Let’s dissect this mystery.
Does Eczema Really Smell?
First things first, eczema itself does not have a particular smell.
Phew!
However, the skin affected by eczema can develop an odor due to various reasons.
In most cases, the smell is a result of bacterial or fungal growth on the skin.
Unfortunately, it’s from all that scratching.
If the skin is moist or weeping, it can create an environment where bacteria and fungi thrive, leading to a sour or musty smell.
Mix this situation up with your fragrant heavy creams and it ain’t a pretty smell.
Why Does Eczema Have A Smell?
Eczema-prone skin is more prone to bacterial infections, especially the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
This type of bacteria lives on our skin, but it can cause infections if it enters our bodies through a cut or a wound.
Especially the wounds and scratch marks.
People with eczema tend to have higher levels of this bacteria on their skin, making them more prone to infections and developing an odor.
Another reason why eczema may have a smell is due to the use of harsh or fragranced skincare products.
These products will irritate the skin and cause a reaction, leading to an unpleasant smell that can be mistaken for eczema itself.
Now that you know, the next time someone asks you does eczema have a smell, you can answer it confidently.
How to Get Rid of Eczema Smell?
The good news is that eczema-related odor can be treated and prevented. Here are a 4 tips to keep your skin smelling fresh and clean:
- Keep the affected area clean and dry:
- Regularly washing the affected skin with gentle soap and water can help remove bacteria and prevent infections.
- Try to use a more natural soap that’s fragrance free.
- After washing, make sure to pat the skin dry with a clean towel instead of rubbing.
- Avoid harsh skincare products:
- Use gentle, fragrance-free skincare products that are specifically designed for sensitive skin.
- Harsh products containing synthetic fragrances or other irritants will make eczema worse and lead to a bad smell.
- Since you are invested in your health and made it this far, check out this post on 7 natural eczema creams to try.
- Use antibacterial or antifungal creams:
- If you are prone to infections, your doctor may prescribe an antibacterial or antifungal cream to reduce bacteria or fungi levels on your skin.
- It can also help reduce the smell associated with eczema.
- Home remedies to try while you get treatment are
- Treat eczema:
- Treating eczema can also help reduce the smell.
- Focusing on the foods you eat is an excellent start
- When you focus on healing from the inside out, your skin will start to heal and glow
When to Seek Medical Advice?
If you are experiencing a strong or foul smell from your eczema that doesn’t go away with the above tips, it’s essential to seek medical advice.
A healthcare professional can assess your condition and prescribe appropriate treatment to help you manage your eczema symptoms, including the smell.
Once you’ve contained the situation, you need to figure out a long term solution.
Topical steroid creams won’t cut it long term.
If you ever become dependent on it, you could risk developing topical steroid withdrawal.
In my XZMA Healing Program I teach eczema warriors on how to manage their eczema and flare ups so they never need to rely on medications.
They only have it in their back pocket as a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eczema have a smell?
Eczema itself does not have a distinct smell, but eczema-affected skin can develop an odor due to bacterial or fungal overgrowth. When skin is broken, weeping, or constantly scratched, it creates a warm moist environment where bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus thrive, producing a sour or musty odor. Fragranced skincare products layered on top of inflamed skin can also contribute to an unpleasant smell that is often mistaken for eczema itself.
What bacteria causes eczema smell?
The primary bacteria responsible for eczema-related odor is Staphylococcus aureus. People with eczema naturally carry higher levels of this bacteria on their skin. When the skin barrier is broken through scratching or weeping, it can enter and cause infection, producing a noticeable sour or musty smell. Keeping affected areas clean and dry and using gentle antibacterial or antifungal treatments can help reduce bacterial overgrowth and the odor associated with it.
How do you get rid of eczema smell?
The most effective ways to reduce eczema-related odor are keeping the affected skin clean and dry with a gentle fragrance-free soap, avoiding harsh or fragranced skincare products that worsen bacterial growth, and using antibacterial or antifungal treatments if prescribed by a doctor. Natural home remedies like dead sea salt soaks and tea tree oil-based balms can also help reduce bacteria on the skin. Long term, improving your diet and focusing on whole foods reduces internal inflammation, which directly impacts skin health and odor.
Does topical steroid withdrawal cause skin odor?
During topical steroid withdrawal, the skin barrier is severely compromised, making it far more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections that cause odor. The weeping, oozing, and broken skin characteristic of TSW creates an environment where Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria thrive. Gentle cleansing with fragrance-free products, dead sea salt soaks, and avoiding fragranced creams are particularly important during TSW to minimize both infection risk and associated odor.
Can skincare products make eczema smell worse?
Yes, heavily fragranced creams, lotions, and soaps are a common cause of eczema-related odor. Synthetic fragrances irritate already sensitive skin, trigger inflammation, and disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome, creating conditions where odor-causing bacteria multiply. Switching to fragrance-free, hypoallergenic skincare products formulated for sensitive skin is one of the quickest ways to reduce both skin irritation and associated odor.
Can diet affect eczema smell?
Yes, what you eat has a direct impact on skin health and odor. A diet high in processed foods, sugar, and artificial additives drives internal inflammation that shows up on the skin, creating conditions where bacteria and odor thrive. Focusing on whole anti-inflammatory foods supports the body’s ability to heal the skin barrier from within, which reduces bacterial overgrowth and improves overall skin smell over time. Nutrition alone can address 50–80% of eczema symptoms including odor.
How To Smell Even Better
Funny enough, most of it comes down to what you eat.
I know this is hard to hear but when you start focusing on your nutrition, your skin will heal.
At least 50-80% of your eczema will go away.
The rest is dependent on your skincare products, how you manage your stress and your lifestyle.
Easiest thing to do is focusing more on whole foods.
Less processed and packaged foods.
Save these for the weekends and travelling.
And when you really really need it.
Beyond this if you are still stuck, it’s a good idea to work with a Skin Health Coach or a Certified Nutritional Practitioner.
Especially working with someone who has gone through eczema and topical steroid withdrawal.
I’ll leave you with this…
Managing eczema doesn’t have to be hard.
We were never taught in the first place.
So don’t let your skin hold you back from being yourself and living your best life.