Learn how to manage eczema with daily skincare tips, treatment options, and expert advice. Discover what works and when to see a dermatologist.
Hebra Editorial Team
Hebra Journal
If you're living with eczema, you already know the cycle — the itching, the flare-ups, the frustration of skin that never quite feels settled. Learning how to manage eczema effectively can transform your quality of life, and the good news is that most of it comes down to consistent daily habits rather than complicated treatments.
Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) affects around one in six adults and one in four children in the UK, making it one of the most common skin conditions. Yet despite how widespread it is, many people struggle for years without a clear management plan. With NHS dermatology waiting times stretching from 8 weeks to over 18 months depending on where you live, knowing how to care for your skin at home has never been more important.
Before diving into how to manage eczema day to day, it helps to understand what triggers flare-ups. Eczema is driven by a combination of genetic factors, immune system responses, and environmental triggers. Your skin barrier doesn't retain moisture as effectively as it should, which leaves it vulnerable to irritants and allergens.
Common triggers include harsh soaps and detergents, stress, changes in temperature or humidity, certain fabrics (especially wool), dust mites, pet dander, and some foods. Keeping a simple diary of your flare-ups can help you identify your personal triggers over time — what sets off one person's eczema may not affect another at all.
Recent research from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, published in early 2026, used NHS patient records to map the diseases most commonly linked to eczema, reinforcing that the condition often doesn't exist in isolation. Understanding your broader health picture can be a valuable part of managing your skin.
The single most important step in managing eczema is keeping your skin moisturised — and doing it properly. Dermatologists call this "complete emollient therapy," and it means using moisturiser not just after your bath, but as a core part of your entire skincare routine.
Here's what the evidence says works:
Moisturise generously and often. Aim for at least two to three applications per day. If you have generalised eczema, you may need up to 500g of emollient per week — that's roughly a large tub. It sounds like a lot, but adequate coverage is what makes the difference between managing your eczema and chasing flare-ups.
Use emollient as a soap substitute. Regular soap strips the skin of its natural oils and worsens the barrier dysfunction that drives eczema. Washing with an emollient instead helps cleanse without causing irritation.
Avoid aqueous cream as a leave-on moisturiser. While it was once commonly recommended, evidence now shows that aqueous cream used as a leave-on product can actually irritate eczema-prone skin. Use it only as a wash-off product, if at all.
Try cooling your emollient. Applying moisturiser straight from the fridge can provide extra relief from itching, especially during a flare-up.
The right emollient is the one you'll actually use consistently. If you find a product greasy or unpleasant, you're less likely to apply it as often as needed, so it's worth trying different formulations until you find one that suits you.
Even with excellent daily moisturising, flare-ups happen. When they do, topical corticosteroids (steroid creams or ointments) are the standard first-line treatment. They work by reducing inflammation and calming the immune response in the skin.
A key principle is to use the lowest strength that effectively controls the flare. Your GP or dermatologist may recommend a "step-up" approach, starting mild and increasing potency if needed, or a "step-down" approach for more severe episodes.
Apply steroid creams to the affected areas only, and follow your prescriber's instructions on duration. Many people underuse topical steroids out of fear of side effects, but when used correctly, they are safe and effective. The bigger risk is often leaving eczema undertreated, which can lead to skin infections and significant discomfort.
For flare-ups that aren't responding to creams alone, occlusive dressings such as wet wraps can help. Wet wrapping involves applying emollient and steroid cream, then covering the area with a damp layer followed by a dry layer. This technique improves absorption and can break the itch-scratch cycle — though it should be avoided if the skin is infected.
If you have moderate-to-severe eczema that doesn't respond well to topical treatments, it's worth knowing that the treatment landscape is evolving rapidly. Several promising developments emerged in 2025 and early 2026.
Biologic therapies — injectable medicines that target specific parts of the immune system — are showing impressive results. Research from Nektar Therapeutics found that their experimental drug rezpeg helped 71% to 83% of patients maintain significant skin improvements after one year of treatment with monthly or quarterly injections. Meanwhile, Apogee Therapeutics reported that a new long-acting biologic delivered comparable eczema and itch relief to existing biologics but with less frequent injections.
A Mount Sinai study also brought encouraging news for people who don't see immediate results from biologic treatment: patients who continued therapy for up to 52 weeks still achieved meaningful improvements, even if their initial response was slow. The takeaway is that persistence with treatment matters.
On the frontier of innovation, microbiome-based approaches are gaining traction. Research led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases contributed to the development of a topical eczema probiotic based on the bacterium Roseomonas mucosa, which became available over the counter in 2024. The science of the skin microbiome — the community of bacteria living on your skin — is increasingly showing that rebalancing these organisms can help manage eczema from a completely different angle.
These advances are exciting, but accessing specialist treatment in the UK often means navigating long waiting lists. That's where digital health tools can help bridge the gap.
Consistency is the foundation of how to manage eczema successfully. A practical daily routine might look something like this:
Morning: Apply emollient generously after washing. If you have active flare-ups, apply your prescribed topical treatment to affected areas first, wait a few minutes, then layer emollient over the top. Choose breathable, soft fabrics — cotton is usually best.
During the day: Reapply emollient at least once, especially if your skin feels tight or dry. Keep a travel-sized pot at work or in your bag. Avoid known triggers where possible, and try to manage stress through whatever works for you, whether that's a short walk, breathing exercises, or simply taking breaks.
Evening: Bathe in lukewarm (not hot) water for no more than 10 to 15 minutes. Use emollient as a soap substitute. Pat skin dry gently — never rub — and apply emollient within a few minutes of getting out of the bath while your skin is still slightly damp. This locks in moisture far more effectively.
At night: If itching disrupts your sleep, keeping your bedroom cool and using cotton bedding can help. Some people find that applying a slightly thicker emollient at night provides longer-lasting relief.
While daily self-care can manage most mild-to-moderate eczema, there are times when professional input makes a real difference. You should seek help if your eczema is spreading or getting worse despite consistent treatment, if you notice signs of skin infection (increased redness, weeping, crusting, or warmth), if eczema is significantly affecting your sleep or mental health, or if over-the-counter treatments aren't providing relief.
Getting timely access to a dermatologist can be challenging — but it doesn't have to mean waiting months. Digital triage tools can help you understand the severity of your condition, get personalised guidance, and connect with a specialist faster than traditional referral pathways.
Managing eczema is a long game, and you don't have to navigate it alone. If you're unsure whether your skin needs professional attention, or if you're tired of waiting for answers, Hebra can help. Our skin health triage app analyses your skin condition and connects you directly with dermatologists — cutting through the long waiting times so you can get the care you need, when you need it.
Take control of your eczema management today. Visit www.hebra.health to get started.
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