6 ways to beat eczema

Eczema affects 1 in 5 kids in the UK and 1 in 12 adults and for those who do suffer, it can feel like their skin is boiling.

What's more there's no cure for eczema, so what can you do to ease the itching and dry skin?

1. Keep your skin moist

The drier your skin gets, the more irritated it will become and make you scratch. Keeping it smooth and supple will help, so using an emollient is a really good idea.

An emollient is basically a more oily type of moisturiser and is not for cosmetic use.

Emollients can come in the form of a cream, ointment, lotion or a gel and for people with mild eczema they might be all you need to keep it under control.

2. Using the right washing products

Soap dries out the skin very quickly and is bad for people with eczema. Hands are affected particularly because people wash them more often, so eczema sufferers should steer clear.

This includes liquid soaps, shower gel and bubble bath which all dry out skin and potentially cause itching.

You can buy emollient soap substitutes, such as Oilatum soap or Dermol Shower Emollient.

If your child has eczema, it helps to have a bath every day for at least 10-20 minutes using a suitable emollient. They work by allowing the water to get through the skin and then sealing in it in with a protective barrier.

3. Steer clear of wool and man-made fabrics

Both wool and materials such as polyester, nylon and rayon can irritate your skin and cause itching, so make sure you use cotton bedding and try to avoid your skin coming into contact with synthetic fabrics.