• Stay hydrated
• Bathe in warm water, rather than hot
• Limit the time spent bathing
• Avoid scratching and keep fingernails short. Wearing mittens at night can prevent children from scratching in their sleep
• Avoid known allergens or triggers
• Avoid indoor and outdoor extremes in temperature €“ a humidifier can add moisture
• Wear cotton or silk clothing. Avoid wool and synthetic fibres. Remove clothing tags
• Wash clothes in fragrance-free detergents
• Wear sunscreen during hot weather.

When to refer

Refer any of the following symptoms to the pharmacist:

• First time symptoms of eczema
• Signs of secondary bacterial skin infection, e.g. open sores, crusting or weeping
• Symptoms that affect quality of life
• Large areas of scaling or peeling
• Ineffective use, or unacceptable side effects, of OTC treatments.