What Is Eczema?

Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a very common skin condition, affecting almost 1 in 3 Australian children, particularly infants and preschoolers. It develops due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

In children with eczema, the skin barrier does not function as it should, allowing moisture to escape and irritants or pathogens to enter. This dysfunctional skin barrier combined with a skewed and overactive immune response, leads to chronically dry and itchy skin that periodically becomes red, thickened, scaly, and cracked or weepy in response to external exposures (e.g. soaps, foods) and internal stressors (e.g. illnesses).

The intense itch often leads to scratching, which further damages the skin and creates a “scratch–itch cycle” that can be difficult to break.

How Do We Treat Eczema?

Poorly controlled eczema can significantly impact the quality of life of children, teenagers, and their families. It may cause:

• Disturbed sleep

• Difficulty participating in school, work, or leisure activities

• Reduced confidence or self‑esteem

The good news is that eczema symptoms can usually be well‑managed. Effective treatment focuses on:

• Identifying and reducing triggers such as heat, infection, soaps, or irritants

• Improving skin hydration and barrier function with a consistent skincare routine

• Controlling inflammation during flare‑ups with appropriate prescribed medications

Many children experience improvement as they grow older, although some will continue to have eczema into adolescence or adulthood.

Dr Sophie Willcocks provides comprehensive eczema management plans tailored to each child. For the small number of patients with severe eczema that does not respond to standard topical treatments, she can also offer advanced targeted therapies (biologics). More information is available under the “Biologics” section of this website.