Eczema at Secondary School

This page focuses on eczema at secondary school. It includes information on how eczema can impact young people at school, and tips for managing eczema and getting support at school. 

There are resources for: 

We also have a list of helpful website links and downloadable or printable sheets with extra information. 

What is eczema? 

Eczema is a common, long-term skin condition that affects about one in five young people. You can’t catch eczema from someone else, and it often runs in families. 

It can make skin dry, itchy, and sore, and scratching can make it worse. 

Having uncomfortable eczema can disturb sleep, make some activities more difficult, and certain fabrics can irritate the skin. Eczema can be triggered by things in the environment like soaps, pollen, heat, or even stress.  

It is more than just itchy skin. There’s no cure, but daily treatment helps keep symptoms under control. This includes using moisturising and flare‑control creams, wearing soft clothes, and avoiding triggers. Eczema is more than just a physical health condition, it can impact many aspects of a young person’s life including their mental health and wellbeing, their confidence, their social life, and their experiences at school. 

You can find out more about eczema on the Eczema Care Online website.

What can be challenging about having eczema at school? 

Eczema can affect many parts of school life. It can make writing, using computers, playing sports, doing woodwork, or wearing certain fabrics uncomfortable. Tiredness from night‑time itching can also make it harder to focus during lessons.  

School soaps, heat, stress, busy classrooms, and exams can also trigger flare‑ups. Moving from primary to secondary school, or starting a new school, can bring extra challenges, as older children often need to take more responsibility for their treatment during the day.  

It also can be harder to find time or a private space to put on creams during the day at secondary school, so having understanding teachers and a plan in place really helps.  

Because eczema is linked to stress, busy times like exams can make symptoms worse and may affect how well a pupil can work.  

Read more about the impact of eczema on school and supporting children with eczema in this blog written by Eczema Outreach Support for Twinkl: Supporting Children with Eczema at School – Twinkl 

What can help young people with eczema at school? 

The good news is, there are things that can help young people look after their eczema at school and make it have less of an impact on their lives: 

  • A private and hygienic space at school to apply creams when needed. Toilets, including staff or disabled toilets, are not appropriate. 
  • Flexible learning arrangements during flare‑ups, including options for home learning if necessary. 
  • Uniform flexibility, such as allowing softer or less irritating clothing, wearing long sleeves, or leggings. 
  • Adjustments for outdoor activities to help avoid triggers like heat or allergens. 
  • A dedicated ‘Eczema Champion’ – a teacher who can act as a key contact and help coordinate support and who the young person can go to. They can also provide an alternative staff contact in case the Eczema Champion is away. 
  • Preparing for stressful times, such as exams or busy school periods, when eczema may worsen. 

You can also find more about tips for managing eczema at school on the Eczema Care Online website: Studying and work | ECO. 

Click the links above to find specific information for young people, parents/carers, and schools/teachers. 

Information sources: