Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines

Although eczema cannot be cured, there are a number of things which can be done to help manage and control it. The aims of eczema treatment should be to heal the skin, keep it in good condition and manage the symptoms of an attack or ‘flare’ when they appear.

There are treatments available ‘over-the-counter’ from your pharmacist which may help you to manage your condition:

Emolients

• The most common treatment for eczema
• Consist of creams, lotions or ointments
• Applied as a protective film to the skin
• Help soothe skin and reduce water loss
• Should be used every day, even on those days when your symptoms are fewer or your eczema appears under control

Apply emollients liberally and often because their effects are short-lived and their benefits will be lost with washing or rubbing caused by clothes. A good time to use emollients is just after a bath, while the skin is still moist. Oils or washes are also available which can be used in the shower or added to bath water, but avoid scented bubble bath products, soaps or shower gels as these can cause skin sensitisation, dehydrate the skin and make your symptoms worse.

The degree of greasiness of emollients generally determines the amount of moisture-holding ability they will have. Greasier preparations will be better for dry, cracked and thickened skin. They can be applied thickly overnight to help hydrate the skin, but this can be messy. Thinner creams and lotions are absorbed into the skin more easily, but their benefits don’t tend to last as long. You will need to apply large quantities of emollient on a regular basis throughout the day to keep your skin as hydrated as possible.

Regular use of emollients should help to reduce the frequency and severity of eczema flare-ups. Remember, it is not possible to overuse emollients and you should continue to use them, even if your healthcare professional decides that you need a prescription treatment in addition to help manage your condition. If you have any questions about emollients, including how often you should be using them, please speak to your healthcare professional.

Mild steroid creams

• Used to calm the symptoms of an eczema flare-up
• Suppress the body’s inflammatory response (steroid drugs that reduce inflammation are also known as corticosteroids)

Strength & length of treatment

You should seek advice from your pharmacist regarding the strength (potency) and length of treatment that is best for you. In the UK, steroid creams are graded into one of four groups according to their strength or potency as mild, moderately potent, potent and very potent. Patients are generally advised to use the weakest effective potency for the shortest duration of time to bring their ‘flare’ under control. Stronger, more potent steroids are only available on prescription.