Eczema

While it cannot be cured, there are simple daily actions you can take to keep skin healthy. Doing these actions can mean fewer eczema flares and a faster recovery when flares do happen.

How common is eczema?

Eczema is one of the 10 most common chronic conditions in Australia. It currently affects nearly 3 million Australians (Eczema Support Australia). 

• About 1 in 3 children aged 6 years or under have eczema.
• Close to half a million Australians live with moderate to severe eczema.
• Some children outgrow eczema, but for others, it can continue through teenage years and adulthood.

How can I get control of Eczema?

Many people can feel confused about how to treat eczema. This is because eczema changes over time, and it can be hard to know what treatments to use and when to use them.

There are two main treatments for eczema that work together.

1. Flare control creams (usually steroid creams) – to get control of eczema.
   – Used when skin is flaring up.
2. Moisturising creams (‘emollients’) – to keep control of eczema.
   – Used every day to protect the skin barrier.

Both treatments are needed because they help control eczema in different ways. When these two treatments are used well together, most eczema can be managed.

Start here if you have eczema or care for someone who does: 

• Eczema Care Online Toolkit
  Find information on how to manage your eczema.
• Eczema Care Plan
  Use this to record important information about your eczema management plan, and share it with all your healthcare professionals.
  

Helpful resources

You can also explore these helpful resources:

• Topical Corticosteroids for Eczema Flare Control
  A factsheet to help you learn more about flare control creams.
• Caring for your baby or small child with eczema
  A factsheet to help you learn more about eczema in babies and young children.
• 5 Questions to Ask When Your Eczema is Hard to Manage
  Questions to take to your healthcare professional and find a treatment plan that works for you.
• Eczema Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
  A factsheet with clear and practical information to help families understand eczema and keep skin strong and healthy.
• Eczema Care for Everyone – Resources in Your Language
  Simple tips on eczema care, common triggers, and treatment options to help you, your family, or anyone you support manage eczema. This resource is available in 11 different languages.

What causes Eczema?

The exact cause of eczema is not fully understood. It is likely to be a combination of:

• Genetics – eczema can run in families
• Environment – the skin works less well as a barrier to things that might irritate the skin
• Immune system – the immune system over-reacts.

Eczema affects more than just skin

Eczema care is not just about your skin. It can have a significant effect on the quality of life for the person with eczema, and for their family and carers.

Let your health professionals know if:

• Your mental health feels worse
• You are having trouble sleeping, or
• You are finding it difficult to concentrate at work or school.

If you have eczema, or care for someone with eczema, you might find it useful to connect with others through trusted organisations like Eczema Support Australia.