Eczema - Treatments

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Key points about treating and preventing eczema

Eczema is a condition that causes patches of the skin to become dry, red and itchy. Scratching eczema patches can make the skin ooze and bleed, and it can make the itching and other symptoms of eczema worse. Sometimes the skin can become thick and scaly. Your doctor may call it 'atopic eczema'.

Key points about treating and preventing eczema

Treatments can't cure eczema, but they do relieve the symptoms.
There are many things you can do at home to try to keep your eczema under control.
Your doctor can also prescribe creams and ointments to help relieve your symptoms.
There are also things that might prevent your child getting eczema, if eczema and other allergic conditions (such as asthma) run in your family.

We've divided this section into three parts:

Treatments for eczema: These include steroid creams that help keep your symptoms under control, and the drugs called pimecrolimus and tacrolimus. More...
Self-care for eczema: Here we look at how moisturisers, diet, detergents and other treatments might help your or your child's eczema. More...
Preventing eczema: Here we look at whether giving your baby 'friendly bacteria' (probiotics), and whether what you eat when you're pregnant and breastfeeding can prevent your child getting eczema. More...

Glossary

asthma: Asthma is a disease of the lungs. It makes you wheeze, cough and feel short of breath. Asthma attacks are caused by and narrowing of the airways, which makes it hard for air to pass in and out of the lungs.
steroids: Steroids are a type of chemical. Your body naturally produces steroids, which play a part in many of its processes. For example, steroids are involved in how your immune system, reproductive system and metabolism work. Steroids can also be given as medicines and are used for a number of different conditions: including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and eczema. Corticosteroids are not the same as the steroids used by some body builders and athletes. Those steroids are called 'anabolic steroids'.
bacteria: Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.