Infected eczema

Eczema is a common skin condition and patients will be advised by their GP to use moisturising products (called emollients) such as creams and ointments. You may also be using a moisturising bath cream or oil.

Some patients are also prescribed steroids to be used when the eczema gets inflamed (flares up).

Does eczema get infected?

Good hygiene measures are important to aid healing and stop infection.

Antiseptic shampoos and products that combine an antiseptic with an emollient, or with a bath emollient, are available. These may reduce the bacterial population on the skin and make infection less likely.

Daily baths are a treatment for eczema and help to clean and remove the bacterial load from the skin, and using moisturising products will add moisture to the skin will help reduce redness (inflammation) and can make the skin less itchy.

If you have been prescribed creams to use when you get a flare up it is important that you understand when to start using these. They should be started as soon as you notice that your eczema is starting to flare up. It is also important to remember that once the symptoms subside you should stop using the “flare up cream” so that you only use it when it is needed. If you are not sure about how and when to use your medication, please ask your pharmacist or GP.

Sometimes your eczema may become infected, if you think this has happened to you visit our pharmacy and we may be able to treat you instead of needing to see your GP

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Unfortunatly NHS funding has stopped for this service, but it is still provided as a private chargable service

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