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Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a chronic, itchy skin condition that can range from being quite minor to something that can greatly affect someone’s quality of life.
Eczema occurs when the skin barrier does not work properly causing it to become dry, itchy, rough, and more prone to infections and inflammation (redness).
Eczema commonly affects young children but can occur at any age.
People with a family history of eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever) are more likely to develop eczema. It is believed to happen due to both family genetic makeup and different things in the environment.
Eczema is the most common form of dermatitis. It affects 15-20% of children and up to 10% of adults.
There is no cure for eczema but for most people it can be managed very well, and the good news is that 70% of children grow out of it.
Eczema patterns usually change with increasing age.
Potential eczema triggers
There are common, unavoidable triggers such as infections, stress and vaccinations, so it is important to moisturise and manage flares when they happen as well as avoiding other triggers where possible.
People with eczema should avoid what they know makes their skin worse. Below are some helpful tips on how to do this.
Common Triggers
| Trigger | Try |
|---|---|
| Skin, beauty products, sunscreen, clothes washing powder | Options that don’t contain perfume, fragrance, plant extracts and common allergy causing foods |
| Getting too hot | Soft cotton or silk bedsheets without heavy blankets or quilts. It is also best to avoid electric blankets and heaters in the bedroom |
| Clothing fabrics such as wool, synthetic materials such as nylon | 100% cotton clothing that is loose fitting |
| Chlorinated swimming pools | Rinse immediately after swimming and apply a thick layer of moisturiser |
| Tomato sauce or citrus fruits | Apply thick moisturiser around the mouth before enjoying |
| Playing/sitting on sand, carpet or grass | If you know you/your child will be on these surfaces, consider long, lightweight cotton pants or a towel or rug to sit on |
| Dribbling (babies) | Gently pat dry and apply a thick moisturiser around mouth and chin |
| Pollens | When there is a high pollen count, try to stay indoors with windows and doors closed |
| Scratching | Keep fingernails short and consider cotton gloves to prevent scratching while in bed |
More about eczema
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FAQs
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Did you know that doctors can prescribe more than one tube of steroid eczema cream/ointment at a time?
Depending on the amount of your body that is affected by eczema, your GP can prescribe up to 10 tubes of steroid based cream/ointment per purchase on authority script with several repeats.
In general, one script purchase should be adequate supply for one month of use. This means that if you have a large body surface area affected by eczema you might only pay the price of a regular prescription for 3, 5 or even 10 tubes of steroid cream/ointment.
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There are a number of things that you can do to help manage eczema:
- Reduce exposure to trigger factors (where possible). This may include an allergy assessment by an allergist or dermatologist to properly identify allergic triggers.
- Have a short, warm (not hot) bath or shower daily. Do not use soap or bubble bath. Use a soap-free wash.
- Apply topical steroid cream/ointment (as prescribed) and moisturisers straight after bathing and patting dry with a soft, clean towel.
- Use moisturiser twice a day and use enough to help maintain the skin barrier.
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It is important to go back to your doctor (dermatologist/allergy specialist/ GP/paediatrician) to discuss treatment options. There are new and very effective treatments available in Australia for severe eczema.
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Eczema is a type of dermatitis (atopic dermatitis), which simply means red and inflamed skin.
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It is best to use skincare products that do not contain any food products, fragrances or plant extracts. Just because a product claims to be ‘natural’ does not mean it is good for eczema. Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner for the best options to suit your needs.
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Eczema is not caused by food, but food may trigger eczema flares. It is important to seek professional medical advice for eczema management and not restrict foods from the diet unless under medical direction. Removing foods can affect growth and nutrition.
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The following actions may reduce itch, to help control the scratch and itch cycle of eczema:
- Keep skin well moisturised. Moisturise at least twice every day.
- Use cold compresses (such as a wet face cloth) and wet dressings/wraps, as directed.
- If advised to use antihistamines, use non-sedating antihistamines. Sedating antihistamines are generally not recommended and should not be used in young children without specialist supervision.
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Topical steroid creams and ointments are a safe and effective treatment when they are used as directed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. Skin damage can be prevented by applying creams/ointments, including steroid creams and ointments, prescribed by your doctor as soon as itchy or rough skin is noticed. Not using enough of the eczema treatments can cause skin damage due to itching, which can lead to sores, scabs and scarring. Additionally, people who have eczema that is not well managed are more likely to have skin infections.
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Many people with eczema have other allergic conditions. Studies have shown that up to 30% of babies with eczema who have a family history of allergy will develop food allergy, and up to 40% develop asthma or allergic rhinitis (hay fever).