Eczema. Dry, cracked, sore, itchy skin

Your skin needs its own natural oils to keep it supple and moist, and help prevent infection.

When you have eczema, these natural oils are lacking within the skin and it becomes dry, itchy and sometimes crusty and weepy.

Scratching makes it worse, of course, and when the skin is cracked, infection can get in and do even more damage.

The problem is also made worse by the use of soap, shampoo and exposure to detergents.

Sufferers can also be allergic to such things as pet hair, dust, pollen and certain foods. Temperature extremes can be a problem, too, as can certain clothing, such as woolly jumpers and non-cotton garments.

You can get eczema anywhere on your body, although it usually affects the places where skin is creased, such as the backs of knees and the insides of your elbows.

No one is sure why some people get eczema and others don’t, but there is often a family link.

More people than ever have eczema

The number of people suffering from eczema has almost trebled in the last 30 years and today, one in twelve adults has the problem and one in five children.

Eczema is a chronic condition that can’t be cured, but can be managed with attention to diet, environment, skin care and lifestyle.