Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): Triggers, Symptoms, and Management

by Maroa Noa · 20 Jul 2026

A Pharmily guide to understanding and living with this long-term skin condition

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a long-term condition that causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin. It can affect anyone, though it often starts in childhood. There's no permanent cure, but it can be managed well with the right daily routine and treatment.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is linked to a weaker skin barrier, the outer layer of your skin that normally keeps moisture in and irritants out. If you have eczema, this barrier doesn't work as well as it should, so moisture escapes more easily and irritants, allergens, and bacteria can get in more easily too. This leads to dryness, inflammation, and the itch-scratch cycle that's so typical of eczema.

Eczema often shows up alongside other allergy-related conditions like asthma and hay fever. If these run in your family, you're more likely to develop eczema too.

What Does Eczema Look Like?

• Dry, sensitive skin
• Intense itching, often worse at night
• Red to brownish-grey patches, usually on the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, and inside the elbows and knees
• Small, raised bumps that can leak fluid and crust over if scratched
• Thickened, cracked, or scaly skin from repeated scratching
• Raw, sensitive patches from rubbing or scratching too much

Symptoms tend to come and go in flares rather than staying the same all the time, which is why knowing your personal triggers matters so much for managing it long-term.

Common Triggers

Flares are usually caused by a mix of things, not just one thing:

• Dry air, especially in cold or dusty conditions
• Heat and sweating
• Harsh soaps, detergents, or fragranced skin products
• Rough fabrics like wool or synthetic materials
• Certain foods, in some people, especially children
• Dust mites, pet fur, and pollen
• Stress
• Hormonal changes
• Skin infections

 

Managing Eczema Day to Day

Moisturizing Comes First

• Apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer at least twice a day, and right after bathing while skin is still a bit damp
• Choose ointments or creams over lotions; they contain more oil and protect the skin barrier better
• Keep moisturizing even when your skin looks fine; it helps prevent flares before they start

Bathing Tips

• Use lukewarm water, not hot; hot water strips your skin's natural oils
• Keep baths and showers short, around 10 minutes
• Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers instead of harsh soap
• Pat your skin dry gently rather than rubbing, then moisturize straight away

Treatments for Flares

• Topical steroid creams: reduce inflammation during a flare; how strong and how long you use them should be guided by a pharmacist or doctor to avoid thinning the skin with long-term use
• Non-steroid alternatives (calcineurin inhibitors): a gentler option, often used on sensitive areas like the face
• Barrier repair creams: help rebuild and support your skin's natural protective layer

Dealing with the Itch

• Keep nails short to reduce skin damage from scratching
• Try a cool compress on itchy patches for quick relief
• Antihistamines can help with itching, especially at night, though they don't treat the underlying inflammation

Everyday Changes That Help

• Wear soft, breathable fabrics like cotton, and avoid wool or rough synthetics
• Use fragrance-free laundry detergent and skip fabric softener
• Manage stress where you can, flares often happen during stressful times
• Keep a simple diary to spot your personal triggers
• Use a humidifier during very dry seasons if your indoor air feels dry

When Should You See a pharmacist or Doctor?

• Eczema is seriously affecting your sleep or daily life
• Symptoms aren't improving with regular moisturizing and over-the-counter treatment
• The skin looks infected, more redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or pus
• You need guidance on how strong a steroid cream to use, or for how long
• Eczema is widespread or seriously affecting a child's comfort, sleep, or growth

At Pharmily, our pharmacists can help you build a consistent skincare routine, choose the right moisturizers and treatments, and let you know when it's time for something stronger or a specialist opinion.

 

Products That Can Help Manage Eczema

Living with eczema can be frustrating, especially when flare-ups leave your skin dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. The key is to focus on restoring the skin barrier, locking in moisture, reducing irritation, and avoiding products that can trigger flare-ups.

These products work best when used consistently—even when your skin appears clear—to help reduce the frequency and severity of eczema flare-ups.

1. CeraVe Moisturising Cream (340g/454g) - One of the best daily moisturizers for eczema-prone skin, CeraVe Moisturising Cream contains three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to repair the skin barrier and provide up to 24-hour hydration. It's fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and accepted by the National Eczema Association.

2. Cetaphil PRO Eczema-Prone Skin Restoring Moisturizer - Specially formulated for eczema-prone skin, this rich moisturizer helps relieve dryness, strengthen the skin barrier, and reduce irritation. It's fragrance-free and gentle enough for daily use on sensitive skin.

3. Cetaphil Pro Itch Prone Skin Moisturising Lotion (295ml) - If itching is your biggest challenge, this lotion is an excellent choice. It delivers long-lasting hydration while helping calm itchy, irritated skin using SymCalmin® and Filaggrin technology to support the skin's natural protective barrier.

4. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - Cleansing is an important part of eczema care, but harsh soaps can make symptoms worse. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser removes dirt and impurities without stripping away natural oils, making it suitable for daily use on dry and sensitive skin.

5. Aveeno Cream (100ml) - Enriched with soothing oat ingredients, Aveeno Cream provides intensive hydration for dry, irritated skin. Regular application helps reduce tightness, soothe itching, and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier.

6. Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturising Cream (206g) - Designed for babies with eczema-prone skin, this fragrance-free cream combines colloidal oatmeal and ceramides to relieve itching, calm irritation, and restore the skin barrier. It's suitable for everyday use from infancy.

7. Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturising Cream (141g) - This clinically proven cream offers fast relief from eczema-related dryness and itching. Its gentle, steroid-free formula deeply moisturises while helping protect delicate skin from future flare-ups.

 

Quick Recap

• Eczema is a long-term condition linked to a weaker skin barrier, manageable, even if not curable
• Regular moisturizing is the foundation of managing eczema, flare or no flare
• Knowing and avoiding your personal triggers helps reduce how often flares happen
• Use treatments as directed to balance effectiveness with safety
• Signs of infection need prompt attention from a professional

 

FAQs

Q: Can eczema be cured completely?
There's no permanent cure, but with the right routine and treatment, symptoms can be well controlled and flares minimized.

Q: Is eczema caused by allergies?
It's linked to allergic conditions like asthma and hay fever, and allergens can be a trigger, but eczema itself is primarily about a weakened skin barrier.

Q: Can food cause eczema flares?
In some people, particularly children, certain foods can trigger flares, though this isn't the case for everyone. A symptom diary can help identify personal triggers.

Q: Is it safe to use steroid cream on my child's eczema long-term?
Topical steroids are effective but should be used at the right strength and duration guided by a pharmacist or doctor, to avoid skin thinning with prolonged use.

Q: Why does my eczema get worse in certain seasons?
Dry air and heat are common triggers, so many people notice more flares during particularly dry or hot periods.

 

This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Please consult a pharmacist or doctor for diagnosis and treatment tailored to your specific situation.