At EOS, we offer emotional support and practical tips about managing eczema. Please note that we are not a medical charity so we are unable to provide medical advice.  Instead, we signpost to reputable organisations and websites for reliable information about eczema. Here, we share links to useful information eczema treatments and triggers. 

Treatments 

New treatments for severe eczema are occasionally approved and can be real game changers. At the same time, guidance on existing therapies often evolves. For instance, recent research has shown that applying topical steroids only once a day is just as effective as twice a day. With frequent updates and sometimes conflicting information, staying on top of the latest advice can be challenging. 

Below are some reliable sources of up-to-date information about eczema treatments: 

• The National Eczema Society has provided reliable information about eczema for many years. They have excellent factsheets about treatments and other topics. Take a look here for more information. 

• Eczema Care Online is a newer website and also has lots of very useful information.  

• British Association of Dermatologists provides patient information leaflets about atopic eczema and about the various treatments. Anyone can access these on their website. 

• The NICE Guidelines provide information about the pathway of care that a GP/dermatology team should follow when treating eczema.   

Triggers

While identifying and avoiding triggers can be very helpful in reducing flare ups, eczema will still require ongoing management. This is often a key topic parents and carers want to discuss with us. Many are eager, sometimes desperate, to pinpoint the cause of their child’s eczema. We often have to explain that, unfortunately, it is not always that straightforward. It’s important to understand that flares can sometimes occur without any obvious cause, which is one of the most frustrating aspects of the condition.  

The websites mentioned in the section above have some information on triggers. Below are some other websites that offer practical information about eczema triggers. 

• Scratchsleeves has a useful step by step guide to follow if you want to identify possible eczema triggers.  

• Allergy UK has a helpline you can call if you suspect your child has an allergy. Their website also provides a comprehensive list of potential triggers to be on the lookout for. 

• Eczema tracking apps can be useful to track eczema symptoms over time. This can also help to work out potential triggers. They can be used to store photos of eczema flares to show at appointments and to track the treatments used. One that people find good is EczemaLess. Another one that’s been around a while is My Eczema Tracker App.