Birth control, especially progesterone-only methods, can affect eczema by triggering flare-ups or worsening symptoms. Hormonal contraceptives influence the immune system and alter levels of estrogen, a hormone that plays a key role in maintaining skin barrier function. As a result, some people using hormonal birth control may develop dry and irritated skin.
To treat hormonal eczema, it’s important to use gentle, fragrance-free skin care products and keep the skin well moisturized. If you suspect your birth control is causing skin problems, consult your healthcare provider about alternative options or treatments to manage the symptoms effectively.
Can Birth Control Cause Eczema?
Yes, birth control can contribute to or trigger eczema in some people. This is largely due to the hormonal fluctuations that birth control causes, and the ways these shifts can disrupt skin barrier function and immune responses.
The week before a menstrual period, estrogen levels drop. This natural drop in estrogen may contribute to eczema flare-ups in some individuals, as estrogen can have anti-inflammatory effects that promote skin healing and moisture retention.
Progesterone-only contraceptives tend to keep estrogen levels lower throughout the cycle, preventing the natural rise in estrogen that occurs with ovulation. This can lead to even lower baseline estrogen levels in some individuals, especially in the week before a period.
For this reason, many menstruating people with eczema who take birth control experience worsening skin symptoms during the premenstrual week.
One 2017 study found that hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control pills, Norplant, and vaginal rings) have profound effects on the immune system, and birth control users significantly increased the development of eczema.
The study also found that cisgender women who used Norplant, a progesterone-only contraceptive implant, were at significantly increased risk for eczema and several other skin conditions.
Birth control use has also been linked to dyshidrotic eczema, a condition more common in people with other forms of eczema and seasonal allergies like hay fever. Though the cause of dyshidrotic eczema is unknown, nickel, humid weather, and sweaty palms are some triggers.
Hormonal Rash vs. Eczema
Hormonal birth control can affect the skin in ways that are not linked to eczema. In some people, the effects of estrogen and progestin in birth control can lead to hormonal rashes. Sometimes dyes or other ingredients in birth control can also cause a rash.
Rashes associated with hormonal birth control use include:
- Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (a skin rash that develops around the menstrual cycle)
- Pyogenic granuloma (small skin lesions that bleed)
- Porphyria cutanea tarda (painful blisters that develop on sun-exposed skin)
- Erythema nodosum (nodules under the skin)
Eczema is different from hormonal skin rashes in that it is a complex condition with many causes and triggers that the medical community has not yet fully understood.
Environmental factors, genetics, and having an overactive immune system are all believed to play a role. There are also many triggers for eczema flare-ups, including hormones, exposure to allergens or irritants, and stress.
What Is Progesterone Hypersensitivity?
Progesterone hypersensitivity is a condition that occurs when the body has an allergic reaction to its progesterone. This condition causes skin problems in women, including eczema and hives, which worsen three to 10 days before their period starts.
Treatments for Hormonal Eczema
If you develop new or worsened skin symptoms while using birth control, talk to a healthcare provider. Your provider may suggest switching to a different birth control method or trying therapies to alleviate symptoms.
Your provider may recommend that you:
- Use low pH cleansers for dry, sensitive, and irritated skin. These cleansers are more acidic, which helps balance skin barrier function in people with eczema and other forms of dermatitis.
- Moisturize frequently with an ointment or cream that contains ceramides and moisture-locking ingredients like shea butter, aloe, glycerin, petrolatum, and vitamin E. Look for hypoallergenic products, and avoid those that contain fragrances, alcohol, lanolin, and parabens.
- Keep your fingernails cut short to reduce skin damage from scratching, especially when you are asleep. You may also find it helpful to sleep with soft gloves on your hands.
- Take an antihistamine to reduce bouts of severe itching.
- Use a humidifier in your bedroom or elsewhere in your home to lubricate the air. Take care to clean the humidifier regularly, as humidifiers can trap allergens or irritants that could worsen skin symptoms.
- Avoid prolonged water contact. Rather than taking a long, hot bath, opt for a shorter, lukewarm bath or shower. Scorching hot water can further harm the skin barrier. Avoid scrubbing your skin too hard or for too long. After bathing, apply a lubricating ointment to your skin to help lock in moisture.
- Add more probiotics to your diet to promote a healthier gut and skin microbiome, which can reduce inflammation and related symptoms. Probiotic foods include sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and miso. Ask your provider if a probiotic supplement is right for you.
If at-home treatments aren’t enough, your provider may suggest a prescription. Topical corticosteroids are typically first-line, and if symptoms persist, they might recommend an oral or injected treatment, like immunosuppressants.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If eczema interferes with your routine, work, or sleep, or your symptoms appear to be worsening, it’s important to have a healthcare provider evaluate your condition.
If your eczema might be connected to hormonal birth control use, keep a record of symptoms and mention it to your provider.
You should also see a healthcare provider if you develop any signs of skin infection, including:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Increased warmth and redness
- Pus or oozing
- Fever
- Red streaks
- Flushed skin
- Faintness
There are prescription medications that can help with eczema. Your provider may also suggest coming off birth control or switching to a different type to see if your symptoms improve.
Summary
Birth control can affect hormones and the immune system, which can play a role in developing or worsening eczema. Treatment for hormonal eczema may involve at-home remedies, like frequent moisturizing and using a humidifier. When that's not enough, your healthcare provider may prescribe a topical or oral medication to reduce the immune responses that trigger eczema.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Cathy Nelson
Nelson is a freelance writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness for more than two decades.
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