In brief
A common skin condition that affects both children and adults, causing areas of red, dry, itchy skin.
- See your doctor if you or your child has itchy, dry skin.
- Skin affected by eczema can sometimes become infected.
- If itching disturbs sleep, a doctor may recommend an antihistamine.
How it works
It often appears in the creases of the elbows, behind the knees, on the wrists and ankles, and on the face and scalp in babies. Most people have their first symptoms as babies. Nobody knows exactly what causes eczema, but it can run in families, and it is common to also have hay fever, asthma, or dust mite and food allergies.
Triggers include dry weather or changes in the weather, overheating, stress, skin infections, soap, shampoo and bubble bath, sand, carpet or grass, chlorine in pools, and woollen or prickly fabrics. Applying a moisturiser at least 2 times a day and avoiding your triggers help, and corticosteroid creams and ointments treat flare-ups.
Connections
4 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Eczema is linked with
People with eczema commonly also have asthma, and people with asthma commonly have eczema or hay fever.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Eczema; Better Health Channel (Victorian Government), Asthma
It is common for people with eczema to also have hay fever.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Eczema
Eczema affects
Eczema can be worsened by
- Chronic stress (allostatic load) Supported
Stress is one of the triggers of eczema.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Eczema
Medicines and supplements
General education only. Never start, stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect. Sources read on 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.