HealthInfo Canterbury
Atopic eczema is a dry skin condition that causes skin to become red (inflamed) and itchy.
Most children will grow out of their eczema, though a small number will have eczema into adulthood.
While there's no cure for eczema, the key to controlling it is for your child to avoid irritants (triggers), bathe regularly, keep their skin well moisturised and use topical (rub-on) steroids when they need them.
If your child has eczema, their skin barrier doesn't work well and is sensitive to irritants, which can make their eczema worse.
Common irritants (known as triggers) include soaps, detergents, wool and scratchy fabrics and heat. Food isn't often a trigger for eczema and avoiding food groups doesn't usually help eczema.
Once you know their triggers you can try to avoid them. For example, avoid wool and scratchy fabrics next to their skin, instead dress them in soft cotton and use cotton bedding.
Moisturisers (sometimes called emollients) add moisture to the skin and can help protect it, which relieves dryness and itch. There are many types of moisturisers and they come in different forms such as lotions, creams and ointments. Talk to your GP or pharmacist about which is best for your child.
You can buy moisturisers at the pharmacy, but it's usually cheaper to get them on prescription from your GP.
Tips on using moisturisers:
Having a bath or shower every day will help to rehydrate your child's skin and remove dry skin and any build-up of moisturisers. This video shows how bathing once a day can help children with eczema.
Tips on bathing:
Topical steroids are creams or ointments you apply to your child’s skin to reduce the inflammation (red, angry bits). Steroids come in different strengths. The strength your child needs depends on the areas of inflammation and its severity. Your doctor will tell you the right strength to use and give you specific instructions on how to use it.
Tips for applying steroids:
Watch this video How to care for eczema in 3 easy steps.
You can also read more information on Patient.info about steroids and how they work.
Other treatments for eczema in children include:
It's important to watch your child's skin for signs and symptoms of infected eczema, including:
If you think your child has a skin infection, it's important to see your GP promptly.
For most children, a food allergy doesn't cause their eczema. Also, removing food groups from their diet won't cure eczema.
If your child has eczema and a food allergy, you'll need to treat their eczema and allergy individually. Talk to your child’s GP if you have any concerns about food allergies or foods you think may be causing a flare-up of their eczema.
Ask your doctor or nurse about an eczema action plan. This is a useful way to keep track of the moisturisers, soap substitutes, antiseptics and steroid creams that your child uses.
Eczema can be challenging for both your baby or child, you and your family. The treatment is time consuming, and children often dislike it. Eczema not only impacts their skin but can also affect quality of life, such as sleep and mood. See your child’s GP if their eczema is affecting their mood or you're concerned about the impact it's having on them or you.
If your child's eczema isn't getting better despite treatment, or is getting worse, you should see your GP. Your GP may refer you to see a specialist at the hospital.
If you prefer, you can pay to see a private dermatologist. Find a private dermatologist on:
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
Information about eczema in children including what causes it, signs and symptoms and management including complications.
Leaflet about what to do about eczema including infected eczema.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed August 2021. Last updated February 2022.
Review key: HICOD-326084