Clean gently
One bath or shower a day, 5 to 10 minutes at most, in lukewarm (not hot) water, without bubble bath. Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.3,6
Health education · SkinSkin health
Eczema: understanding symptoms, soothing flare-ups and protecting your skin
Itchy skin, patches that keep coming back, cracked hands or nights disrupted by scratching: eczema can take many forms and affect daily life.
Eczema is not contagious.1 It cannot be cured, but regular care and suitable treatment help control it and keep flare-ups in check.1,6
Eczema
What is eczema?
“Eczema,” or “dermatitis,” refers to a group of diseases that cause skin inflammation.1 Atopic dermatitis is the most common form.1,2 It often runs in families, is linked to asthma and hay fever, and almost always starts before age 5.1,2
A fragile skin barrier
In atopic dermatitis, the skin barrier does not hold moisture well.3 The skin becomes dry and more sensitive to irritants.
That is why frequent moisturizing is at the heart of care.3
Scratching
Scratching damages the skin and keeps the irritation going.
Proper treatment reduces pain and itching, and prevents infections and skin thickening.1
Types
Are there different types of eczema?
| Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Atopic dermatitis | Most common form; dry, itchy skin, in both children and adults.2 |
| Irritant contact dermatitis | Caused by repeated exposure to harsh soaps, detergents or cleaning products. It is the most common form of contact dermatitis.2 |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Delayed immune reaction after contact with an allergen, such as nickel, a dye, a fragrance or poison ivy.2 |
| Dyshidrotic eczema | Many small, very itchy water blisters, mostly on the hands or feet.2 |
| Nummular eczema | Oval or coin-shaped patches, often dry, sometimes oozing, on the arms or legs.2 |
| Seborrheic dermatitis | Mostly affects the scalp and oily areas of the face; in infants, it is called “cradle cap.”2 |
| Stasis dermatitis | Affects the lower legs; linked to varicose veins and poor circulation.2 |
The type of eczema shapes the advice and treatments.1
Symptoms
What are the symptoms?
The skin is red, bumpy or swollen, and itchy. Fluid-filled lesions can ooze and form crusts.1
Eczema isn’t always red: on darker skin, it often looks brown or ashy grey.1 Colour alone therefore can’t tell you whether eczema is active: itching, texture and how it changes matter too.
Triggers
What can trigger a flare-up?
Triggers vary from person to person. Some can be avoided, such as harsh soaps; others can’t, such as sweating during exercise.3
A flare-up can also happen for no apparent reason: it doesn’t mean the care was done wrong.3
Diagnosis
How is eczema diagnosed?
The professional examines the skin and looks at where the patches are, how they change and which products are used.
When a contact allergy is suspected, a patch test can diagnose it: small amounts of substances are placed on the skin to look for a delayed reaction.1 This test answers a specific question and isn’t needed for everyone with eczema.
Daily care
Which daily routine should you follow?
Treatment rests on three pillars: baths and moisturizers to repair the skin, anti-inflammatory medications and avoiding triggers.1
Moisturize right away
Pat the skin dry. First apply prescribed treatments to the patches, then a fragrance-free moisturizer on the rest of the still-damp skin.3,6
Choose your clothing
Choose cotton and loose clothing. Wash with a mild detergent, without fabric softener.1,6
Adjust your home
A temperature of about 19 °C and humidity of 30 to 45 % in winter help protect the skin.6
Drinking lots of water isn’t enough to hydrate the skin: moisturizer acts directly on the skin barrier.3 Keep moisturizing even when the skin is better.3
Treatments
Are cortisone creams useful?
Topical corticosteroids, often called “cortisone creams,” are a first-line treatment for atopic dermatitis. They quickly reduce inflammation and itching.4
Their strength ranges from mild to very potent: the mildest are sold without a prescription, the most potent are prescribed. They come as creams, ointments, lotions, foams or shampoos depending on the area.4 They are applied until the skin has healed, then stopped.4
Before you start, make sure you know:
- which product to apply to which area;
- how much to use: ask your professional;4
- how often to apply it;
- when to stop, and what to do if the patches come back.
What about safety?
Side effects mainly occur with long-term use of potent products, often on the face. On the other hand, poorly treated atopic dermatitis can lead to infections and a risk of scarring.4
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe twice-weekly application to areas that often flare, to prevent flare-ups.4 If cortisone worries you, ask for a clearer plan rather than improvising.
Other treatments
What if usual treatments aren’t enough?
Other non-steroid medications applied to the skin may be offered, such as calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) or crisaborole. Calcineurin inhibitors can also be used as maintenance to lengthen flare-free periods.3
For moderate to severe eczema, a specialist may offer phototherapy, oral medications or biologic injections, such as dupilumab.3
Before changing treatment, it helps to review the products used, how they are applied and aggravating factors. Also mention the effects on sleep, work and activities.
Diet
Should you cut out certain foods?
No: eczema is not caused by a specific food.5
In some people, a food can trigger a flare-up, but this is rare.5 A food allergy and eczema are two separate problems.
Eliminating foods or doing random food allergy tests is not recommended. Unnecessary restrictions are a burden and can be harmful.5 If you suspect a food allergy in yourself or your child, see a health professional.5
Seeking care
When should you see a professional?
Relieving itch also helps you sleep better: talk about how eczema affects your sleep.6
Which signs may point to an infection?
Seek care promptly if the skin becomes warmer, redder, painful or swollen, or if yellow fluid drains from it.6 Infection of eczema-affected skin is common and can reduce the response to treatment.3
Clusters of painful blisters or sores that spread quickly, especially with fever or feeling unwell, need assessment the same day. This may be a herpes virus infection, rare but potentially serious, treated promptly with an antiviral. If the area around the eyes is affected, same-day eye specialist advice is needed.7
The visit
How can you prepare for your visit?
The goal is a clear plan for daily care, flare-ups and follow-up.
Bring:
- the names or photos of the products you use;
- a list of the affected areas;
- treatments tried and their effects;
- photos of flare-ups, useful if the patches are less visible at the appointment.
When to consult at the Clinique IPS du Palais?
A nurse practitioner can examine your skin, identify the type of eczema, set up a care and treatment plan, review a treatment that no longer works and refer you to a dermatologist when indicated.
Painful blisters that spread quickly, especially with fever or near the eyes, need assessment the same day.
Sources
- Canadian Dermatology Association. Eczema. Update date not stated, accessed October 29, 2026. dermatologue.ca
- Eczema Society of Canada. Types of eczema. Modified March 5, 2026, accessed October 29, 2026. eczemahelp.ca
- Eczema Society of Canada. Treating atopic dermatitis. Modified March 5, 2026, accessed October 29, 2026. eczemahelp.ca
- Sibbald C, Eczema Society of Canada. A doctor talks about topical corticosteroids. February 17, 2026, accessed October 29, 2026. eczemahelp.ca
- Eczema Society of Canada, reviewed by Dr. Vipul Jain. Can food cause eczema? October 2024, accessed October 29, 2026. eczemahelp.ca
- Lavoie I, Leblanc J, Marcoux D, CHU Sainte-Justine. Vivre avec l’eczéma (in French). Revised May 2022, accessed October 29, 2026. chusj.org
- Primary Care Dermatology Society (United Kingdom). Eczema: eczema herpeticum. Updated May 30, 2024, accessed October 29, 2026. pcds.org.uk
This sheet provides general information and does not replace an assessment by a health professional. Published October 29, 2026.