Why does my mum tell me
off when I scratch?

Scratching feels as if it helps – but it doesn’t, really. It makes your skin even itchier and could make you really sore, so your mum is asking you not to scratch, as she knows you’ll feel worse in the end.

What can I do to make my skin feel less itchy?

You can put on a cream called an emollient, which will help your skin feel less dry and itchy. Wearing clothes made from natural materials, like cotton, can also help. When you wash, don’t use soap, but try Epaderm®, which will be nicer on your skin. You could also try avoiding the things that make it worse. Things like pollen in summer, dusty places, some foods such as milk, eggs and oranges, and even furry pets can set your eczema off.

Can I go swimming with eczema?

The chlorine in the water may make your eczema worse. If this happens, you should avoid going swimming. If your eczema is not too bad after swimming, it’s OK to enjoy being in the water. But remember to shower after getting out, don’t use ordinary soap, and put on lots of emollient before you get dressed.

Some lessons and activities make my eczema worse – what can I do?

Sometimes, paint and glue can make you itch, and doing pottery can be a problem because the clay dries your skin. Tell your teacher and bring some gloves to school, then try the activities again. If this still doesn’t work, your teacher will think of some other things you can do. If you learn food technology at school, watch for the foods that irritate you and tell your teacher, who may be able to help by suggesting other ingredients or recipes.

Can my friends catch my eczema?

No, eczema is not catching.

What about school meals?
They make me itchy sometimes.

Get your teacher or a parent to mention your eczema to catering staff. They are usually really helpful people who will try to prepare something you can enjoy safely.