Why eczema keeps coming back

The eczema calmed down, the skin became smooth and you stopped your skin care. Two weeks later it all started again. Sound familiar? Eczema, especially atopic dermatitis, is a chronic condition with flares and quiet periods. The biggest mistake after a flare is stopping skin care completely.

Why it comes back

Eczema-prone skin has a weak protective barrier: moisture is lost quickly, and irritants and allergens get in easily. Even after the rash clears, the barrier is not fully restored. Soap, household chemicals, wool clothing, sweat, stress and some cosmetics trigger a new flare.

Care in quiet periods too

A systematic review shows that regular use of moisturisers delays the next eczema flare and reduces the number of flares and the need for steroid creams. In other words, moisturiser is not just cosmetics but part of the treatment.

Proactive treatment

In frequently recurring eczema, an anti-inflammatory cream can be applied twice a week to areas where the rash used to be, even in quiet periods. A meta-analysis of randomised trials showed that this approach significantly reduces the risk of flares. Only a doctor prescribes this plan: which cream, where and for how long.

Daily rules

• Short, lukewarm showers and a gentle soap-free cleanser
• Moisturiser right after the shower, while the skin is still slightly damp
• Cotton-lined gloves for washing dishes and cleaning
• Fragrance-free cosmetics and detergents, cotton clothing
• Postpone manicures and irritating procedures during a flare

When to see a doctor

• The rash weeps, crusts or produces pus
• Itching disturbs your sleep
• The rash spreads over a large area or keeps coming back
• Home care has not helped within two weeks