Open a PDF version to print this topic

HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury

Treating atopic eczema in children

Te whakarauora i te mate harehare

Atopic eczema is a dry skin condition that causes skin to become red (inflamed) and itchy.

Most tamariki (children) will grow out of their eczema, though a small number will have eczema into adulthood.

While there is no cure for eczema, you can control it. The key is for your tamaiti (child) to avoid irritants (triggers), bathe regularly, keep their skin well moisturised and use topical (rub-on) steroids when they need them.

Avoid irritants (triggers)

If your tamaiti has eczema, their skin barrier does not work well and is sensitive to irritants. This can make their eczema worse.

Common irritants (known as triggers) include soaps, detergents, wool and scratchy fabrics and heat. Food is not often a trigger for eczema. Avoiding food groups does not 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.

Moisturise your baby's or child's skin

Moisturisers (also called emollients) add moisture to the skin and can help protect it. This relieves dryness and itch. There are many types of moisturisers, and they come in different forms. This includes lotions, creams and ointments. Talk to your general practice team or pharmacist about which is best for your tamaiti.

You can buy moisturisers at a pharmacy. But it is usually cheaper to get them on prescription from your general practice team.

Tips on using moisturisers:

Bathing

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.

Tips on bathing:

Topical steroids

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 tamaiti needs depends on the areas of inflammation and how bad it is. Your general practice team will tell you the right strength to use and give you specific instructions on how to use it.

Tips for applying steroids:

Watch the video, How to care for eczema in 3 easy steps.

You can also read information on Patient.info about Fingertip units for topical steroids.

Other treatments

Other treatments for eczema in tamariki include:

Watch for infected eczema

It is important to watch your child's skin for signs and symptoms of infected eczema, including:

If you think your tamaiti has a skin infection, it is important to see your general practice team promptly.

Consider these things as well

Food allergies need separate treatment

For most tamariki, a food allergy does not cause their eczema. Also, removing food groups from their diet will not cure eczema.

If your tamaiti has eczema and a food allergy, you will need to treat their eczema and allergy individually. Talk to your child’s general practice team if you have any concerns about food allergies or foods you think may be causing a flare-up of their eczema.

Getting help for my child's eczema

Ask your general practice team about an eczema action plan. This is a useful way to keep track of the moisturisers, soap substitutes, antiseptics and steroid creams that your tamaiti uses.

Eczema can be challenging for both your pēpi or tamaiti, you and your whānau (family). The treatment is time consuming, and tamariki often dislike it. Eczema not only impacts their skin but can also affect their quality of life, such as sleep and mood. See your child’s general practice team if their eczema is affecting their mood or you are concerned about the impact it is having on them or you.

If the eczema is not getting better despite treatment, or is getting worse, you should see your general practice team. Your general practice team may refer you to see a specialist at the hospital.

If you prefer, you can pay to see a private dermatologist. You can find a private dermatologist on Healthpoint.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed February 2025.

Sources

Page reference: 47145

Review key: HICOD-326084