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Your Questions Answered
You may have lots of questions you want to ask about eczema, without wanting to bother your doctor every time. We have put together below a list of frequently asked questions about eczema we hope this will answer some of your concerns.
Q. Is eczema caused by stress?
Q. Is it OK to go swimming if you have eczema?
Q. Will my child grow out of their eczema?
Q. Is eczema catching?
Q. Could changing my diet cure my eczema?
Q. I have heard that Chinese herbal creams can be very effective in eczema - is this true?
Q. Are there any 'natural' creams to treat eczema?
Q. Why does my eczema itch more in the summer?
Q. Can eczema affect any part of the body?
Q. Does exercise make eczema worse?
Q. If I have eczema will my children get it?
Q. What are flares? What is the itch-scratch-itch cycle?
Q. What are triggers? What can I do about them?
Q. How do I use topical steroids, TCIs and emollients? When and in what sequence?
Q. Applying emollients to my sore skin hurts. Is there a way to make it less painful?
Q. I do not like the way emollients make my skin look. What can I do about it?
Q. How do I ensure that my child is sufficiently moisturised?
Q. Is eczema caused by stress?
A. A link between eczema and stress has not been definitely proven, but many people with eczema feel that their flare-ups tend to happen when they are stressed. Having eczema can be stressful so the stress may be a consequence of having eczema.
Q. Is it OK to go swimming if you have eczema?
A. Some peoples eczema is made worse by chlorine in swimming pools. Applying a barrier cream or emollient ointment before swimming may limit the irritation. Rinse well in the shower afterwards, and try to apply an emollient cream within 5 minutes of showering, to trap moisture in your skin.
Q. Will my child grow out of their eczema?
A. Not every child grows out of their eczema, but the majority does. By the time they reach their teens, 60-70% of children who have had atopic eczema are virtually clear of their eczema.
Q. Is eczema catching?
A. No, eczema is not contagious.
Q. Could changing my diet cure my eczema?
A. There is no cure for eczema. For some people, eczema may be linked to something in their diet, but there are many other potential triggers apart from diet. It is worth trying to notice if any particular food makes your eczema worse, and trying to avoid that food if possible. It is important, though, that babies and children should not eliminate any particular food from their diet without advice from a dietician. It is important to understand that eczema being triggered by diet is different from an immediate hypersensitive reaction, sometimes called anaphylactic shock syndrome, such as peanut allergy. The trigger of eczema from food is not life-threatening, but should be investigated with the help of your doctor or healthcare professional.
Q. I have heard that Chinese herbal creams can be an effective treatment for eczema is this true?
A. There are limited scientific data from research on whether these creams are actually effective. Some of these natural creams have been found to contain potentially harmful levels of synthetic steroids. Talk to your doctor before using any alternative or complementary therapy for eczema.
Q. Are there any 'natural' creams to treat eczema?
A. The scientific data from research on natural and homeopathic treatments is limited. However some people find these can help, whereas others find they can make their eczema worse. Talk to your doctor before using any alternative therapy for eczema and avoid stopping your prescribed treatments in favour of alternatives.
Q. Why does my eczema itch more in the summer?
A. Hot weather can make the skin drier, and more prone to eczema. The same is true of indoor heating in the winter. Keeping within a comfortable temperature and wearing loose cotton clothing may help. Try to stay in the shade during the midday heat.
Q. Can eczema affect any part of the body?
A. Yes it can, but people with eczema tend to have vulnerable skin areas. Areas that are frequently affected with atopic eczema include the crooks of elbows, behind the knees, face, hands and trunk.
Q. Does exercise make eczema worse?
A. Sweating caused by exercise can make eczema worse. Try to minimise sweating by wearing loose 'breathable' sports clothes. Avoid exercise in very hot weather. After exercising have a shower to remove sweat and then apply emollients.
Q. If I have eczema will my children suffer as well?
A. Atopic eczema does tend to run in families, so your child is more likely to develop eczema if you have eczema but it does not mean your child will definitely get eczema. Whether or not your partner suffers from eczema may also affect their chance of developing eczema.
Q. What are flares? What is the itch-scratch-itch cycle?
A.Eczema tends to get better and worse, better and worse and so on. Flare or flare-up is a term used to describe an episode where your eczema gets worse (technically this is known as relapsing and remitting you get a relapse, treat it, then get a period of remission and so on). You may also come across the term the itch-scratch-itch cycle. Eczema can be extremely itchy, and a normal response to itching is to scratch. However, because scratching damages the skin, it actually makes the eczema worse, which leads to more itching (and in turn, to more scratching). It is difficult to stop scratching the body if it itches, but anti-inflammatory treatments can help.
Q. What are triggers? What can I do about them?
A. As discussed in Question 5, triggers are things that make eczema worse. If you can find out what triggers your eczema, you have a better chance of removing or avoiding it. Many triggers, however, are found in your everyday environment and are largely unavoidable. But if you know that, for example, sharp changes in temperature or allowing yourself to become overheated triggers your eczema wyou can sit by an open window or avoid sitting too close to a radiator. Patient support groups can provide information about triggers and avoiding them.
Q. How do I use topical steroids, TCIs and emollients? When and in what sequence?
A. Topical steroids or TCIs are applied to the sites of the body with eczema once or twice daily (morning and/or evening), or as directed by your doctor. Emollients can be used all over the body or where the skin is dry at least twice a day (morning and evening) and throughout the day as often as you can. Apply the topical steroid or TCI first. Leave a gap before applying the emollient to allow the treatment to be absorbed properly into the skin discuss this with your doctor as the gap can vary between treatments.
Q. Applying emollients to my sore skin hurts. Is there a way to make it less painful?
A. Apply the emollient immediately after bathing, since it will help keep the moisture in the skin and will be much easier to spread when the skin is slightly damp, which will reduce irritation.
Q. I do not like the way emollients make my skin look. What can I do about it?
A. Apply lots of thick greasy emollient creams or ointments before bed and leave it to work over night. Try using lighter cream with a high lipid content during the day for practical reasons.
Q. How do I ensure that my child is sufficiently moisturised?
A. It isn't easy to apply emollients to children and babies. It's best to do it at night, when the skin recovers and rebuilds. Make the evening bath a happy moment between Mum/ Dad and the child. Play music, sing, or tell stories while applying the emollient. Getting your child involved in the process as much as possible can help. Your child might enjoy putting emollients on Mum and Dad as well as.