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Conditions

Eczema

Eczema

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes the skin to become reddened, dry and cracked. Atopic Eczema accounts for around 30% of skin complaints seen by GPs, and it is more common amongst children. The causes of eczema are not totally understood, but there are a number of factors that can worsen its condition, or contribute to a flare up. These include, dust-mites, pets and even foods like dairy produce, nuts or eggs. Eczema can also be caused by hormonal changes, and sometimes by stress and vigorous exercise. The treatment of Eczema normally consists of a variety of self-help treatments, but the most important thing is for sufferers to avoid scratching the skin (easier said than done as it becomes extremely itchy)! The key treatment involves moisturising the skin to keep it supple and to prevent it becoming irritated and cracked. In addition, GPs will normally look at a sufferers diet, and may prescribe complimentary therapies such as aromatherapy.

If your child is suffering from eczema, read our condition guide especially for parents on Embarrassing Bodies: Kids website.

Comments and Questions

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

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I have eczema and around my eyes I used to itch quite a lot when I was young I was using lots of steroid creams and normal eczEma barrier creams given by my gp I now have dark pigmentation around my eyes I was told to keep moisturising and the pigmentation will fade I'm 21 now I have still have dark circles I have tried everything to reduce the darkness but have had no luck plz help i hate them make up can only cover it up I dnt wear it all the time





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I'm 21 and have suffered from eczema very bad for the last 3 years. My hands are covered, at times I can hardly bend them and I get so self conscious when people stare. I have paid for so many creams such as aqueous, eumovate, synalar, hydrocortisone and the latest one is lotriderm. Please can you suggest any other methods of treatment as my gp has not given me a solution except to spend more money I don't have on useless creams!





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i've had eczema my whole life (i'm 26) but apart from the odd flare-up i can usually manage it by being careful with soaps etc and by using prescribed moisturisers and steroid creams. However, I've just started seeing a new boyfriend and my eczema has flared-up really badly...it's all over my body and i can't seem to shift it by using my normal creams. I've got him to use the same washing powder as me, the same shower gel, but nothing seems to be working....the only thing i can think of is that it might be his sweat? has anyone else experienced this?





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i have really itchy thighs, i also have spots there and a few skin coloured scabs that bleed when i itch them. What are they???





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Hi,I have my daughter who is 2 yrs old,she suffer of severe eczema since she's 3month old,she scratch a lot until she start bleeding.now her Skin iz becoming dark Color,it's like bruises all over her body,really don't know wat to do anymore,I've been using a lots of steroid ointment which make her skin thinner,I have been using dead sea salt as well but nothing seems to be working,plzzz anyone can help???





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I have suffered from eczema all my life, and do not know what irritates it. Recently dairy products have started to, or things involving cow milk, as I am fine with goats cheese. Is this normal? Any suggestions on what to do next?





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hello, i am 14 in a couple of weeks and i have always had exczema on and off .... i use 2 different types of creams (a light steriod 1 and cetraben) but they dont seem to be working? i put them on regularly, but my exczema is getting worse. it is all over my face now and covers the whole inner side of my arms ..... it is becoming more noticable on my face now that it is noticable from a distance and i always have people pointing it out to me .. are ther any new creams out there i could use on my face that are stornger? also i take part in a lot of musical theatre and i have to wear heavy make-up for shows and tv.. does anybody know of any foundations i could wear for shows and in school, that wont bring my skin up in a reaction?





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I also used to have trouble with make up affecting my eczema, try bare mineral make up as it's all natural and I have found that it doesn't irritate the skin at all.

Hi there i suffer from eczema i am 19 years old but have never really had it so bad up until now. i have it on my forehead and all over my arms at some point it is cracked and bleeding i have tryed all kinds of topical creams and moisturisation please help, it is making my life a nightmare , along with my work and social life aswell as affecting my self.





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Vasaline moisturiser is really good its made for sensitive skin and has really helped me. You can buy it in most supermarkets and chemists i hope it clears up :)

hi, i have been suffering from eczema since i can even remember, ive never had it as bad as it is now though, its covering my legs, ive ben to the doctors and had all the creams, oilatum and ive even had steroid creams that work at the time but you can only have them for a short period of time and when i stop using it it comes back, i dont know what else to try but it realy affects my confidence because when i go out i feel i cant wear dresses because its too embarassing as its so bad, it very itchy and at night i have to makesure im wearing long pjames even in the winter as i seen to scratch it in my sleep and make it even worse, please someone give me a solution to this?? ive tried everthing??





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I am 18 now and I've had eczema since I was ten, ive only had it on my big toes and it wasnt that bad for the last year and a half to 2 years they haven't cracked or made me suffer I was just wondering can you grow out of eczema





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


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