Eczema self-care – what you can do to get relief

Prevent and treat eczema flares with our at-home care tips, including foods to avoid, wet wraps, moisturizers, antihistamines, steroid creams and coconut oil.

Treatments for an eczema flare-up you can try at home 

The best eczema cream 

When to see a doctor

Alternative treatments for eczema

Skin care: 7 home remedies for eczema treatment

Video: 7 ways to avoid an eczema flare-up

Itching, scratching, rashes, bleeding – eczema can cause a range of difficult symptoms, but there are ways to manage the condition and carry on living your life to the full.

Eczema brings with it many troubling symptoms. For some of you, the itchy, dry, sore skin can become debilitating and affect how you go about your daily life. 

The good news: there are many tried and tested self-care tips and treatments that can help you manage the worst of the symptoms. 

There are also effective ways to avoid triggers and prevent an eczema flare-up in the first place.

## Treatments for an eczema flare-up you can try at home 

![Infographic for using wet wraps](//images.ctfassets.net/iqo3fk8od6t9/xOxMbR4DkIPZ55pS0CYkb/9b4ced77d525bc34ac436805fec46b93/Wet-Wrap-Graphic-1024x823.jpg)
*Infographic created by the [National Eczema Association](https://nationaleczema.org).

- __bandaging and wet wraps__ – during a bad flare these can help moisturizer or medication soak into your skin better. They can help stop scratching and keep your skin hydrated. Read about [how to use wet wraps at home](https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/wet-wrap-therapy/). Doctors may also prescribe them for you, especially if you need medicated wraps or wraps on your face. You can read more about [treatments from a doctor](/health-library/conditions/eczema-atopic/#what-treatments-are-there-for-eczema). 
- __antihistamine tablets to help with the itching__ – in most cases people don't find this particularly useful, but it can be helpful to take a sedating antihistamine at night to help break the scratch-itch cycle, which often affects your sleep. Remember to use antihistamines only in the short-term as they’re not safe for a long period – use for a max of 14 days at a time and then speak to a doctor 
- __moisturizers you can buy over the counter__ – find out more about moisturizers below
- __steroid creams available over the counter can help reduce inflammation__ – they’re usually weaker in strength than those prescribed by a doctor, but they can be helpful. They should be applied in a thin layer so your skin looks shiny. Read more about [how to apply steroid creams](https://nationaleczema.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FactSheet_Topical_STEROIDS_FINAL.pdf). Remember, it’s better to see a doctor if you have a severe flare-up, or if the cream isn’t helping

### Treatments you can try to stop eczema itching 

The aim of these tips is to help reduce any skin damage. This is because constant itching can lead to more bleeding and a risk of infection or scarring. 

To help reduce your itching symptoms:

- keep your nails short
- gently rub your skin if you feel very itchy
- wear gloves at night if you noticed you're itching a lot

Get help with this

## The best eczema cream 

The best moisturizer or best lotion for eczema will depend on many factors. Dr. Ann Nainan of Healthily says: “It’s recommended to moisturize at least 2 to 3 times a day. You might prefer a thicker, greasier moisturizer at night while you’re sleeping, and a lighter moisturizer during the day. The general rule is the greasier the better but don’t choose one you won’t want to use. Build regular moisturizing into your skincare routine, to help prevent eczema flares. It can also help to reduce itchiness.”

### How to apply eczema creams 

- there’s no clear answer on which order to apply your steroid and your moisturizer, but remember to leave around 30 minutes between them. This is to stop the moisturizer from diluting the steroid and to avoid spreading the steroid to other non-inflamed parts of your body  
- make sure you wash your hands first so that you have less chance of infection when applying creams 
- it's best to use a spoon and avoid putting fingers into the creams. This can help avoid contamination, which would be a potential source of infection. You can use the spoon to put the cream on a piece of kitchen roll and then apply it to your skin
- stick to moisturizers that are hypoallergenic, fragrance and dye-free, as they’re usually the safest and least irritating 
- apply the emollient in the direction of your hair to reduce the risk of a hair follicle infection called folliculitis

## When to see a doctor

If self-care hasn't worked, your symptoms are getting worse or they’re affecting your daily life, it's best to see a doctor.

There are lots of treatment options that will soothe your symptoms like strong steroids and specialist creams. 

Find out everything you need to know about [eczema](/health-library/conditions/eczema-atopic).

Seek urgent medical help if your rash is:

- spreading quickly 
- affecting a large proportion of your body
- developing small blisters
- very painful 

You should also get medical help if you feel unwell or have a fever. 

The [National Eczema Association](https://nationaleczema.org) can also be a great place to get help and support.

## Alternative treatments for eczema

### Can Argan oil help my eczema? 

Argan oil has traditionally been used for cooking, but it’s thought that using it daily could improve skin hydration and keep your skin barrier healthy. We don’t know specifically about its effects on atopic eczema, or whether it could irritate the skin, so if you want to try argan oil, make sure you test it on a small patch of skin first. 

### Can coconut oil help my eczema?

When compared with other natural remedies and oils for eczema, coconut oil has the most evidence going for it. While there’s still a lot of research to be done, some suggests it could help with eczema. 

In one of these studies, 117 children with eczema found that virgin coconut oil moderately improved symptoms in just under half of the children using it. Another study looked at babies with eczema and found that applying virgin coconut oil for 8 weeks improved skin hydration. 

Every person with eczema is unique and not everyone responds well to the same treatment. If you want to try it, make sure you choose a virgin product with no added scent or chemicals, and be aware that some people can have an allergic reaction. 

![Coconut oil for eczema](//images.ctfassets.net/iqo3fk8od6t9/3EQizPVEnWyuzyLCtRUVVK/222ef5f59ae83f53668366b3dbf57eb5/Eczema_coconut_oil-2.jpg)

### Can calamine lotion help treat eczema? 

Calamine lotion is best known for being used to help with minor skin itching, for example, irritation caused by mosquito bites. So it could help soothe very itchy eczema, but calamine can also be drying, which can make eczema worse. For this reason, avoid using it on your skin for more than a few days.

### Can Chinese herbal treatments help my eczema? 

Some people prefer to try complementary therapies, such as herbal medication and treatment. There’s little evidence this works and it's better to speak to a doctor first before you try any new treatments. 

Some patients have tried Chinese herbal treatment before, but it can have potentially serious side effects, such as liver inflammation, so it's best to avoid it.

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References

Dr Ann Nainan

Amelia Glean

Dr Adiele Hoffman

Article information

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Prevent and treat eczema flares with our at-home care tips, including foods to avoid, wet wraps, moisturizers, antihistamines, steroid creams and coconut oil. 