What is Eczema and How to Treat It

If your skin just won’t stop itching, it’s natural to wonder: What is eczema? And is it the culprit behind your skin feeling so angry?

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation, redness, and dryness - and it’s as uncomfortable as it sounds. Millions of adults and kids live with it, and while it’s not something you can “fix” overnight, the good news is: you can calm it, manage flare ups, and find real relief with a little extra TLC.

Understanding the causes, spotting symptoms early, and finding the right eczema treatment all go hand in hand. Let’s explore more so you can stop your skin feeling like it’s in constant SOS mode.

What Is Eczema?

Most people have experienced dry, itchy skin in the winter. Though uncomfortable, this is usually not eczema. Eczema is generally defined as inflammation of the skin and affects about 3% of adults and about 13% of children in the United States.

There are actually a few different types of eczema, each with its own quirks:

- Atopic dermatitis: The most common type, often starting in childhood and linked to allergies or asthma.

- Contact dermatitis: Caused by skin touching an irritant or allergen (like fragrance, detergent, for example)

- Dyshidrotic eczema: Small, itchy blisters that usually pop up on hands and feet.

- Nummular eczema: Round, coin-shaped patches of irritated, inflamed skin.

- Seborrheic dermatitis: Often found on the scalp, behind the ears, or around the nose (it can sometimes be confused with dandruff).

- Stasis dermatitis: Usually on the lower legs, linked to circulation issues.

Different names, different looks. But all forms of eczema have one thing in common: skin that needs extra care and barrier support.

Now here’s something that’s really important to understand: eczema triggers aren’t the same for everyone. For some, it’s cold weather. For others, it’s stress or fragrance. That’s why figuring out your personal “why” is half the battle.

What Causes Eczema?

Definitive causes of eczema flare ups are unknown and up for debate. Many believe that eczema is a response from the immune system when it is overreacting to an irritating bacterium, temperature, chemical or fabric.

Some specific eczema causes, or triggers, may include:

- Allergies to things that physically touch the skin, including soaps and detergents

- Allergies to things inhaled, such as seasonal pollen, dust mites, pet dander and mold

- Extreme temperature differences

- Sweating and overheating

- Prolonged sun exposure

- Adverse reactions to specific foods

- Smoking

- Skin infections and deficient skin hygiene

- Autoimmune diseases, such as Lupus

- Anxiety and stress due to an overproduction of cortisol

What Are the Symptoms of Eczema?

Eczema doesn’t look or feel the same for everyone. But there are some signs of eczema that can help you recognize what’s going on:

- Itchy skin and rashes

- Swelling of the skin and tissues

- Dry or scaly patches

- Skin flaking in the affected area

- Blistering and bumps on the skin

- Skin discoloration, both lighter and darker

- Lesions, or small tears in inflamed areas

Eczema itching often shows up in places like the hands, elbows, knees, and yes — eczema on the face is also common (and extra frustrating when it feels like it’s the only thing people notice).

How to Treat Eczema: Effective Options

You’re probably wondering how to treat eczema, or at least and in all honestly, there’s no cure here. But it’s not all bad news, as there are some tried-and-true ways to calm flare-ups and help your skin feel more like itself:

- Hydrate, always: The richer and gentler, the better. A good eczema moisturizer keeps hydration in and irritants out.

- Topical treatments: Doctors may recommend corticosteroid creams or non-steroid options for flare-ups.

- Barrier support: Look for ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and shea butter — all heroes for eczema relief.

- Lifestyle tweak: Avoid your personal triggers, keep nails short, and find little stress relievers (even just a walk or deep breath helps).

- And remember: if you’re treating eczema on the face, stick to gentle eczema cream for face formulas — because not every formula works everywhere.

Make these part of your eczema treatment plan, and it will help your skin snap out of SOS mode.

Building an Eczema-Safe Skincare Routine

Consistency is everything. Here’s a simple step-by-step eczema skincare routine that won’t overwhelm your skin:

Gently cleanse your skin with a creamy, sulfate-free, non-stripping cleanser. Skip harsh cleansers and scrubs — they only make skin angrier.
Apply your eczema moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp to really lock it in.
Spot-treat flare ups. Reach for your targeted eczema cream for face or body when irritation spikes.
Stick with it. Even on “good skin days,” keep the routine going — it’s what prevents flare-ups.

It’s less about having a 10-step eczema routine and more about doing a few simple things well, every single day.

First Aid Beauty Products for Eczema-Prone Skin

Looking for the best cream for Eczema? We get it: when your skin is sending out an SOS, you want formulas that actually help. At First Aid Beauty, we have award-winning options, some of which are even recognized by the National Eczema Association with the Seal of Acceptance.

According to the FDA, colloidal oatmeal is the only approved ingredient to treat eczema, and it is one of the main ingredients in First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream . Colloidal oatmeal contains fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients shown to benefit the skin. Our cream combines colloidal oatmeal with shea butter, ceramide 3 and a unique antioxidant booster. 100% of those surveyed reported lasting improvements in skin dryness when using this product. This top-rated formula won the 2015 Allure Best of Beauty Award and has over 15,000 5-star reviews.

If you are struggling with dry or distressed skin on your face specifically, add Ultra Repair Rescue Barrier Balm into your routine. This balm is an over-the-counter skin protectant that delivers temporary relief and 24-hour hydration to sensitive, compromised skin.

How Can I Prevent Eczema Flare-Ups?

The first step in being proactive about your eczema flare ups is being aware of your own personal triggers. Many who suffer from eczema find value in keeping a journal of flare ups and possible causes. Once you start seeing your patterns, you can begin to avoid or eliminate those triggers. This process puts helpful systems in place for dealing with your skin condition.

In addition, here are some proactive prevention tips:

- Drink lots of water and use a humidifier to add moisture to the air

- Take note of how certain foods affect your outbreaks (many found irritation with nuts and dairy)

- Take lukewarm baths and consider adding powdered colloidal oatmeal or Epsom salts

- Keep skin moisturized and apply emollients within 3 minutes of bathing/showering to “lock in” moisture. Try Ultra Repair Cream as a head-to-toe moisturizer

- Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity

- Wear loose fitting clothes made of natural materials

- Meditate, breathe deeply and try to reduce your stress

Though atopic dermatitis can be stressful or embarrassing for some, there are many ways to manage your eczema symptoms. Very often a combination of journaling, treatment, preventive care and stress reduction can help calm the outbreaks.

You're not alone in this. Many of our customers have found strength in sharing their stories with others - whether that's in local support groups or through virtual communities. These connections can be a helpful part of your skincare journey.

Eczema vs Psoriasis: What’s the Difference?

Eczema and psoriasis can look alike, but they’re different conditions with different care needs.

Here’s a quick comparison of eczema vs psoriasis:

- Eczema is usually itchy, red, and sometimes oozy, tied to a weaker skin barrier and allergic triggers.

- Psoriasis creates thicker, scaly plaques from an overactive immune system that speeds up skin cell growth.

Not sure which you have? A dermatologist can help — and it matters, because treatment paths aren’t the same. What helps eczema doesn’t necessarily help psoriasis (and vice versa).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best treatments for eczema?

Moisturizing, barrier-repair creams, and (if needed) prescription topicals. The FDA recognizes colloidal oatmeal as the only approved ingredient to treat eczema, with many people finding it especially soothing.

Is eczema curable?

Unfortunately, that’s a no, as eczema is usually chronic. But the good news is that it’s manageable. With the right, consistent care, flare-ups can become less frequent and less intense.

Can diet affect eczema?

For some, yes. Food sensitivities (like dairy, eggs, or gluten) can worsen symptoms.

How do I prevent eczema flare ups?

Stay hydrated (inside and out), know your triggers (and avoid them), and keep a consistent eczema skincare routine full of the skin-loving ingredients your skin is craving — no harsh products.