Eczema causes a dry, red, itchy rash; it may be scaly, weep, bleed or crust over. Eczema affects 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults.
The words eczema (which comes from the Greek word meaning ‘to boil’) and dermatitis (meaning inflammation of the skin) are often used interchangeably to describe several conditions that cause the skin to become dry, itchy, inflamed or irritated.
There are a number of different types of eczema but the term is most often used to refer to atopic eczema (also called atopic dermatitis).
The word atopic refers to hypersensitivity reactions to something in the environment.
Atopic eczema is a very common, non-contagious, chronic (long-term) inflammatory skin condition. If you have atopic eczema, your skin barrier function (which prevents water loss and protects against allergens and irritants) is impaired or weakened. This makes the skin dry out and become more vulnerable to infections by bacteria and viruses.
Our What you need to know about Eczema booklet has been prepared by people with eczema, parents, carers, dermatology nurses and consultant dermatologists to help you understand your condition, learn about management and find useful tips for living with eczema.
While the exact cause is not known, certain factors are thought to be important in its development, these include an inherited (genetic) predisposition to have a weakened skin barrier, as well as altered inflammatory and allergy responses. Atopic eczema most frequently begins in infancy but may also develop for the first time in adulthood. It affects approximately 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults in Ireland.
For most children affected, the disease is mild. However, often those who have seemingly outgrown the condition will continue to have life-long sensitive skin and may have recurrences of eczema following long symptom-free spells.
Atopic eczema can run in families and frequently occurs alongside other atopic conditions, including hay fever and asthma.
Although there is no cure for eczema yet, treatment are available to manage the condition.
Symptoms include red, dry, itchy skin, which can sometimes weep, become blistered, crusted and thickened. However, the appearance of eczema and the locations of the body affected can vary greatly depending on the age of the person affected.
The main symptom is an intense itch. Scratching only provides temporary relief, and leads to more itching and scratching (the itch-scratch cycle), which can worsen eczema and make the skin more vulnerable to infection. Scratching in response to itch can cause some of the changes seen on the skin in eczema.
The intense itch is very uncomfortable, can be severe enough to interfere with sleep, and negatively impact on the quality of life of the person affected, as well as his/her family. Some people with more pronounced eczema can also experience social embarrassment due to the visibility of their condition.
Typically atopic eczema goes through phases of being severe, then less severe. During a ‘flare up’, when eczema is very active, symptoms such as redness, dryness and itch worsen, while at other times, symptoms settle.
Irritants and allergens
Atopic eczema can be triggered or aggravated by exposure to a number of environmental irritants or allergens. Common irritants include soap, bubble bath, shampoo, laundry detergents, fragrances, clothing that feels ‘itchy’ next to the skin (e.g. wool), changes in temperature, or allergens like animal dander, the house dust mite or pollen, but sometimes no cause can be identified.
Stress
Emotional stress can aggravate eczema. Finding ways to reduce stress may lessen the frequency and, hopefully, the intensity of the flare-ups. Whilst stress is associated with flares of atopic eczema, it is not yet fully understood.
Infection
Atopic skin is more vulnerable to infection and infection is often associated with a worsening of eczema.
Seek urgent medical advice if skin becomes:
• Wet or weepy, with yellow/brownish crusts
• Very sore, with clusters of painful itchy blisters, particularly if there has been contact with someone who has a cold sore
The main aim is to improve symptoms and achieve long-term control. In atopic eczema, the skin’s protective barrier is weakened which allows moisture to be lost, and irritants and allergens to pass through the skin more easily. Some common everyday substances e.g. soap, contribute to the weakening of the skin’s barrier and should be avoided.
It is important to remember that on-going (every day), frequent and generous use of emollients form the basis of eczema management, but when your eczema flares up, other treatments, such as topical steroids, are needed and are usually prescribed by your healthcare professional.
For more detailed information about prescribed medical treatments including: topical steroids and other topical treatments (creams or ointments applied directly to the skin), ultraviolet light therapy (also called phototherapy, delivered in hospital dermatology departments), and systemic medications (medicines that work inside your body), please see our What you need to know about eczema booklet above.
For eczema, the good news is that there is a range of treatment options available, as well as on-going research examining potential new treatments. Treatment depends on the severity and location of eczema, as well as the age of the person affected.
Talk with your doctor to find a treatment regimen that is most appropriate for you.
Emollients
Emollients are an essential part of daily care, even when skin is clear. Emollients are moisturizers that are used in two ways – applied directly to the skin as a leave-on moisturizer, and as a soap substitute instead of soap or shower gel.
Used several times a day, emollients help to soothe dry, itchy skin and repair the skin’s barrier, thereby preventing entry of irritants and allergens, which can trigger eczema flares.
Soap substitutes/emollient wash products
Ordinary soaps, bubble baths and shower gels should be avoided as they dry out the skin by stripping away its natural oils. Instead, choose emollient wash products when bathing which leave the skin coated with a protective film afterwards.
Choosing an emollient
Emollients come as lotions, creams and ointments. Finding the right emollient is often a matter of trial and error but the best emollients are ones that you (or your child) prefer to use and will continue to use every day.
Remember, a higher price doesn’t necessarily indicate a better product – ask your healthcare professional for advice.
Some practical tips for emollient therapy
It is very important to establish the right diagnosis, so if you are concerned about your skin, you should always speak with your doctor.
Sometimes it can be difficult for children or indeed anyone who suffers with eczema to find comfortable clothing, particularly when there has been a flare up of the condition. Clothing can aggravate eczema as skin can be very hot and heat increases itch.
Basic tips:
Bedtime
Itchy Little Monkeys*
Offer a practical solution in the form of the Shruggi™ which protects your child’s skin from the damage of scratching. Made from 100% organic cotton and silk, with the Shruggi™ you can say goodbye to traditional scratch mittens. They also offer a refreshing change for bed-time routines through story books. Introduce your kids to the characters of Max & Mimi, they have itchy skin too so they know what your little ones are going through. Their stories are created with both child & parent in mind – fun for kids & educational for you!
To find out more about them and their products:
Visit: www.itchylittlemonkeys.com
Contact: info@itchylittlemonkeys.com
Clinifast Garments
Made in the UK but Irish agents are Ovelle in Dundalk. Ovelle stock Clinifast garments in adult and children’s sizes, all of which are available to order on their website: Clinifast Range
Free shipping within Ireland on orders over €25.
Clinifast garments are a convenient quick and simple way to wet or dry wrap in the treatment of paediatric atopic eczema.
Due to its readymade design, there is no need to cut, tie or pin bandages together, making it easier for parents and carers to apply.
Clinifast garments are made from breathable ‘staysoft’ fabric with two way stretch design. They are comfortable to wear both at night and during the day and they allow complete freedom of movement to encourage a full and active life.
Skinnies
Skinnies have developed a range of Therapeutic Clothing Products that help aid recovery from Eczema & other skin conditions. Garments are completely seamless, utilising technologically advanced yarns that are designed to be anti-irritant.
Skinnies are high quality, robust garments for every day and wear and tear, with a combination of colour, style and comfort, which belies a serious medical purpose.
For further information about the Skinnies range and order information, please go to the website:
Dermasilk
DermaSilk® – a unique range of Therapeutic Clothing. DermaSilk® Therapeutic Clothing is used in the treatment of various forms of dermatitis, eczema and allergic skin conditions that affect different areas of the body across all age groups.
DermaSilk Therapeutic Clothing is made of a special, knitted medical grade silk which has been stripped of its outer coating and bonded with Microbe Shield technology. It is far superior to cotton because it retains up to 30% of its own weight in moisture without feeling damp.
DermaSilk® products are available through Irish supplier, Medearly Healthcare.
Other:
Cotton Comfort UK www.eczemaclothing.com
The Irish Skin Foundation does not endorse any particular products, any statement on this page should not be construed as a testimonial. Contact us for further details or guidance about clothing.
answered by the experts at IFAN
Parents and carers today have many questions about food allergy. It can be difficult to avoid misinformation when looking for answers. Misinformation can cause parents to worry without cause and to remove foods from their child’s diet unnecessarily. The aim of this booklet is to provide families with bite-size pieces of practical, evidence based, reassuring information about food allergy.
This booklet has been written in the form of common questions, put to senior members of the Irish Food Allergy Network (IFAN), by parents attending their allergy clinics. The booklet is not intended to replace a clinic visit and full evaluation with a paediatrician with an expertise in food allergy. We hope you find this booklet about allergy and eczema helpful and informative.
The UK’s National Eczema Society has developed a new school pack to help teachers and parents with back-to-school season.
New schools packs from the National Eczema Society are now online! You can have a look and/or download it here.
The ISF gratefully acknowledges the National Eczema Society for their work on these resources.
Some general tips
For more tips on managing your eczema, please see our What you need to know about eczema booklet above.
You may find “Childhood Eczema: Recent Advances and Patient Perspectives”, presented by Prof. Alan Irvine, useful and helpful in learning more about eczema.
Videos about atopic eczema, recorded at the Irish Skin Foundation’s (ISF) skin health event, SkinSideOut on 22 April 2023 are available to view below.
Atopic eczema talk
Talk on atopic eczema, presented by Prof Alan Irvine, Consultant Dermatologist, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Atopic eczema panel discussion
Atopic eczema panel discussion with Prof Alan Irvine Consultant Dermatologist, St James’s Hospital; Paul Herriott, Eczema Patient Advocate; and Glenn Kenneally, Eczema Patient Advocate.
Atopic eczema emollient therapy Workshop
Atopic eczema emollient therapy ‘How to’ workshop with Sheila Ryan, Dermatology Advanced Nurse Practitioner, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland. In this workshop Sheila discusses the different types of moisturisers, often called emollients, used to treat eczema and answers audience questions about ointments, creams and lotions.
Do you have questions about your skin? Ask a dermatology clinical nurse specialist by filling in the Ask-a-Nurse form. Learn more about how the ISF Helpline here and about our Terms of Use.
Irish Skin Foundation, Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin D04 V1W8, Ireland.
tel: (01) 486 6280 | e-mail: info@irishskin.ie | www.irishskin.ie
Registered Charity Number: 20078706