Begin with pharmacy advice.
A pharmacist can help with small areas that are dry and slightly itchy, recommend a suitable emollient and explain when the skin should be reviewed.
Read NHS emollient adviceHomeTreatmentsEczema & dry skin
Eczema & dry skin · GP care
Calm the flare. Rebuild the skin barrier.
Dry, itchy or inflamed skin can disturb sleep, concentration and confidence. The right plan starts by identifying the pattern, then matching daily skin care and flare treatment to the area, severity and person.
Eczema is a group of conditions rather than one diagnosis. Any prescription depends on a clinical assessment, and an in-person examination may be needed if the cause is unclear or infection is suspected.
Choose a suitable route
What level of care fits the flare?
The right starting point depends on how much skin is involved, whether this is a first or familiar episode, the impact on daily life and whether infection could be present.
For a new, persistent or troublesome flare.
Arrange a GP review if you or your child may have eczema, treatment is not helping, symptoms keep returning, sleep is affected or a large or sensitive area is involved.
Explore GP appointmentsWhen the skin may be infected.
Blisters, crusting, fluid or pus, increasing pain, warmth or swelling, rapid worsening, fever or feeling unwell need urgent GP advice or NHS 111.
NHS 111 online (age 5+)Call 111 for a child under 5. Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. Do not rely on an online appointment if you or your child is rapidly becoming very unwell.
Recognise the pattern
“Dry skin” can have different causes.
Eczema may look red on lighter skin or dark brown, purple or grey on darker skin. Texture, distribution and timing can be as important as colour.
Atopic eczema
Itchy, dry, cracked or thickened skin with periods of flaring and settling. It often affects skin creases, hands and—in babies—the face.
Contact dermatitis
A reaction linked to an irritant or allergen, often affecting the hands or face after exposure to soaps, detergents, cosmetics, metals or repeated water contact.
Other eczema patterns
Circular patches, small blisters on hands or feet, or inflamed lower-leg skin can point towards discoid, pompholyx or varicose eczema.
Possible infection
Crusting, weeping, pus, warmth, swelling, pain, sudden spread or fever changes the urgency and needs clinical assessment.
Eczema is not contagious. It can, however, resemble fungal infection, psoriasis, scabies and other rashes, so a first or unusual episode should not be self-diagnosed from photographs alone.
A focused GP assessment
Find the pattern before changing the products.
A GP can review what the skin looks and feels like, where it appears, what may be driving it and whether current treatment is being used at the right strength and frequency.
Explore GP appointments01
Examine the skin.
Distribution, colour across your skin tone, dryness, thickening, cracking, blisters, weeping and signs that infection or another diagnosis may be present.
02
Understand the triggers.
Soaps, detergents, work exposures, gloves, cosmetics, temperature, stress, allergies, medicines, family history and the effect on sleep and daily life.
03
Write a usable plan.
Which emollient to use, where and how often; how to manage a flare; medicine strength, quantity and duration; warning signs and when to review.
Two parts, one plan
Protect every day. Treat inflammation precisely.
Eczema care usually combines regular barrier support with extra treatment during a flare. Product, strength and formulation should fit the body site, age and condition of the skin.
01
Emollients & soap substitutes
Apply emollient generously and often—even when the skin is better—and use it instead of ordinary soap. Creams may suit daytime; greasier ointments often suit very dry skin or night-time use.
02
Topical corticosteroids
A steroid cream or ointment may be advised for inflamed areas. The correct potency, amount and course vary by age, area and severity; facial and genital skin need particular care.
03
Escalation or referral
More severe, recurrent or treatment-resistant eczema may need dressings, another prescription treatment, patch testing or dermatology review. Antibiotics are considered only when clinically appropriate.
Leave around 20 to 30 minutes between an emollient and another skin treatment unless your clinician advises differently. Do not use hydrocortisone for longer than 7 days—or on the face, penis or vulva—without advice from a pharmacist or doctor.
Small habits, meaningful difference
Make barrier care part of the day.
Smooth emollient gently in the direction of hair growth whenever the skin feels dry or tight, ideally at least 3 to 4 times a day. Apply again after washing, pat rather than rub the skin dry, keep cool and avoid products or exposures that reliably trigger a flare.
Fire safety matters: keep away from cigarettes, naked flames and other ignition sources. Emollient residue on clothing, dressings and bedding can make fabric catch fire more easily, and washing does not remove the risk completely.
Read NHS guidance on using emollients ↗Good to know
Questions about eczema care.
Clear answers for safer daily care and better-controlled flares.
Is eczema contagious?
No. Atopic eczema cannot be caught from or passed to another person. If the appearance is new or the diagnosis is uncertain, arrange an assessment because other skin conditions can look similar.
Can eczema be assessed by video?
Clear photographs and a video consultation can often support an initial assessment and treatment review. An in-person examination may be better if infection is suspected, the diagnosis is unclear, a large area is affected or close inspection is needed. Explore remote GP formats.
How often should I use an emollient?
Use it whenever the skin feels dry or tight. NHS guidance advises at least twice daily for atopic eczema and says 3 to 4 times daily is ideal for regular emollient care. Continue when the skin improves.
Are steroid creams safe?
They can be effective when the right potency is used on the right area for the advised time. Follow the label or clinician's plan and ask before using hydrocortisone on the face or genital area. Do not simply continue or stop a prescribed treatment without advice.
Should I remove foods from my child's diet?
Do not change your child's diet—or your own diet while breastfeeding—unless a doctor advises it. Unsupervised restriction can create nutritional problems and may not improve the eczema.
When might dermatology be needed?
Referral may be appropriate when the diagnosis or trigger remains uncertain, contact allergy needs investigation, eczema is severe or repeatedly infected, or an appropriate treatment plan has not controlled it.
Clinical information: NHS atopic eczemaNHS emollientsNHS hydrocortisone for skinNHS contact dermatitis. This information is general and does not replace individual medical advice.