Kiddipedia
When eczema affects your child’s skin, it can affect so much more
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- Eczema is more than a skin condition — it can affect sleep, confidence, school, relationships and everyday family life.
- The itch–scratch cycle can keep inflammation going and make eczema particularly difficult to manage.
- Stress can aggravate eczema, while living with eczema can itself create stress, creating a frustrating cycle.
- Protecting the skin barrier is an important part of ongoing eczema care.
- Topical corticosteroids remain an established treatment for eczema flares when appropriately selected and used as directed.
- There are also non-steroid and newer treatments available for some people with eczema.
- Food allergy and eczema can occur together, but food allergy does not cause eczema, and unnecessary elimination diets can be harmful.
- Severe, persistent or poorly controlled eczema deserves professional medical review.
- Looking after the emotional wellbeing of both the child and the parent is part of looking after eczema.
Australia has some of the highest percentages of eczema in the world with 10-15 per cent of the population affected. This percentage includes 1 in 3 children, many of which grow out of it in time but sadly 10 per cent of which carry the condition into adulthood.
Whilst the condition is mostly a physical one affecting the skin, the stigma associated with eczema can have considerable mental implications. The visual appearance of the condition, regular pain and itching, and the sometimes never-ending search for relief, can take its toll.
Research shows that people with eczema have higher rates of depression, anxiety and conduct disorders. Statistics also show that 43 per cent of eczema sufferers have reduced self-esteem and confidence, with one in four saying the condition impacts their ability to carry out everyday activities.
Eczema also impacts the all-important sleep patterns with research showing fatigue, daytime sleepiness and even insomnia are common for eczema sufferers. This is especially the case for parents of young children with the condition who spend many waking hours comforting their loved ones.
The mental health issues caused by eczema can in fact make the condition worse. Whilst depression and PTSD are known to increase inflammation and cause eczema, the most commonly known mental health impact on eczema is stress. Experts believe when we stress, our bodies produce inflammation which is an underlying cause of eczema. So our eczema causes stress, and our stress makes the eczema worse.
Mental health issues can also be impacted by how eczema affects the lifestyle of people with the condition. Many people feel angry or embarrassed due to the appearance of the condition. Their overall health can also suffer as they feel less motivated to participate in sporting activity. Work-life balance can suffer as well as personal relationships.
In young people school life can be affected, not just academically but socially amongst their peers. A US study found 40 per cent of school-aged children and teens with the condition had experienced bullying.
Breaking this vicious cycle is not easy. Do we treat the mental health issues first or the condition?
It seems obvious — if we treat the mental health issues the condition will still be there, but if we treat the condition the mental health issues will improve. Of course, treating the condition is not easy.
The most common current treatment for eczema is steroid-based creams, sprays and lotions. They in themselves can cause further issues such as thinning of the skin, stretch marks and spider veins and the effectiveness of the treatment can diminish with regular use.
Every eczema sufferer has a different story to tell but some commonly appreciated advice is below.
- Recent research has seen some great breakthroughs in how eczema can be treated. Look for non-steroid eczema treatments and trial them over time. Some products promote seeing benefits in 5 days with severe cases taking longer.
- Look on eczema association websites for advice. They are full of fact sheets and treatment information.
- Take a wholistic approach to your remedies considering diet, lifestyle and direct treatment.
- Reach out to other sufferers and share stories and tips.
Above all stay positive and look for the combined approach that works best for you. You’ve got this!
But What Does Eczema Actually Do to the Skin?
If you have a child with eczema, you probably know the signs all too well: dry skin, itching, redness, irritation and those frustrating flare-ups that seem to arrive just when life is already busy enough.
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It commonly begins during infancy or childhood. Australian guidance from the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) says infantile eczema occurs in around 1 in 5 children under two, with many improving as they grow.
Eczema isn’t contagious.
That might sound obvious to a parent living with it, but for a child who has visible patches on their face, arms or hands, knowing this matters. Other children may not understand what they are seeing, and a child with eczema can sometimes feel as though their skin makes them look different.
The reality is that eczema is not something a child has caught from someone else, and they cannot pass it to their friends or classmates.
The Skin Barrier: The Part Parents Don’t Always Hear About
One of the most important pieces of the eczema puzzle is the skin barrier.
Healthy skin helps keep moisture in and protects the body from irritants and other environmental exposures. With eczema, the skin barrier doesn’t function as effectively, meaning the skin can lose moisture more easily and become more vulnerable to irritation.
That helps explain why eczema isn’t simply a matter of having “dry skin”.
There is a much bigger process happening.
The skin barrier becomes compromised → moisture is lost → the skin becomes dry and irritated → inflammation develops → the skin becomes itchy → scratching causes further damage.
And that brings us to one of the most frustrating parts of eczema.
The Itch–Scratch Cycle
If you’ve ever told your child:
“Please stop scratching!”
and watched them scratch again thirty seconds later, you’re not alone.
And it isn’t necessarily because they aren’t listening.
The itch–scratch cycle can become almost automatic.
Australian ASCIA guidance explains that when eczema-prone skin becomes dry and irritated, chemicals involved in the inflammatory response contribute to itching. Scratching can then release more inflammatory chemicals, making the skin feel even itchier.
So the cycle can look like this:
Itch → scratch → damaged skin → increased irritation → inflammation → more itch → more scratching.
This is why simply telling a child to stop scratching isn’t always enough.
The underlying itch and inflammation need to be managed.
For parents, understanding this can also take away some of the frustration. Your child isn’t necessarily choosing to make their eczema worse. They may be responding to an incredibly uncomfortable physical sensation.
When Eczema Steals Sleep
This is where eczema can begin affecting the entire household.
A child who is itchy may take longer to fall asleep, wake repeatedly, scratch during the night or become restless and uncomfortable.
And then morning comes.
They are tired.
You’re tired.
Everyone’s patience is a little thinner.
Australian health guidance recognises the relationship between eczema, itching and disrupted sleep, while Australian eczema organisations highlight the effects that poor sleep can have on mood, behaviour, concentration and everyday functioning.
For a young child, chronic sleep disruption can show up as:
- irritability
- emotional outbursts
- difficulty concentrating
- tiredness
- changes in behaviour
- difficulty settling
- reduced enjoyment of everyday activities.
For parents, it can mean:
- broken sleep
- exhaustion
- worrying throughout the night
- feeling helpless
- struggling to work the next day
- becoming emotionally drained.
This is why eczema isn’t simply something happening to the skin.
It can become something happening to the whole family.
The Eczema–Stress Connection
Stress is not the cause of eczema.
But it can be an important aggravating factor for some people.
Australian eczema guidance describes a two-way relationship: eczema can create stress through itching, discomfort, disrupted sleep and the emotional impact of visible symptoms, while stress can make itching and eczema more difficult to manage.
Think about what happens during a particularly difficult week.
Your child has a flare.
They aren’t sleeping.
You’re up during the night.
Everyone is exhausted.
The usual skincare routine becomes harder to maintain.
Your child is scratching more.
You become worried.
Your child becomes frustrated.
And suddenly the whole household is caught in a cycle.
Eczema creates stress.
Stress can aggravate eczema.
The flare creates more stress.
That’s the cycle we’re trying to break.
Importantly, parents should never be made to feel that they have somehow “caused” an eczema flare by being stressed.
Eczema is a complex condition influenced by the skin barrier, immune system, genetics and environmental factors. Stress is one possible aggravating factor — not the explanation for every flare.
Can Stress Actually Affect the Skin?
There is a genuine biological connection between the brain, nervous system, immune system and skin.
During periods of psychological stress, the body releases stress hormones and other chemical messengers. Australian eczema guidance explains that these processes can influence inflammation, itching and skin-barrier function.
Stress can also change everyday behaviour.
You may sleep less.
Your child may scratch more.
You may have less time to apply moisturiser.
A child may sweat more because they’re restless.
A family routine may become disrupted.
So sometimes it isn’t one single factor causing the flare.
It’s the combination of everything happening at once.
When Eczema Starts Affecting Confidence
Imagine being a child and having something on your face that other people notice.
Imagine scratching your arms in front of classmates.
Imagine wondering whether someone is looking at your skin.
Imagine being asked:
“What’s wrong with your face?”
For adults, it can be uncomfortable.
For children, it can be enormous.
Visible eczema can affect confidence, body image and willingness to participate in social situations. Australian eczema organisations recognise the emotional and social burden associated with visible eczema, including self-consciousness, anxiety and social withdrawal.
And sometimes a child’s distress won’t sound like:
“My eczema is affecting my self-esteem.”
It might sound like:
“I don’t want to go.”
“I don’t want to wear that.”
“Everyone will look at me.”
“I don’t want my photo taken.”
Or simply:
“I hate my skin.”
Those comments deserve to be heard.
Eczema, School and Social Life
School isn’t only about reading, writing and mathematics.
It’s friendships.
Sport.
Lunch breaks.
Swimming.
Birthday parties.
School photos.
Sleepovers.
Being part of the group.
Eczema can interfere with all of these things.
Itching and poor sleep can make it harder for children to concentrate, while visible eczema may affect confidence and participation. Australian eczema guidance specifically recognises the potential effects of eczema on school concentration, tiredness and participation.
For some children, the issue is not whether they can participate.
It’s whether they feel comfortable enough to participate.
That distinction matters.
Eczema and Bullying
The original research around bullying has largely come from international studies, including the US study mentioned above.
Because this is an Australian parenting resource, it is important not to replace that statistic with an Australian percentage unless a robust Australian source supports it.
What we do know from Australian eczema organisations is that children with visible eczema can experience teasing, embarrassment, social anxiety and emotional distress.
If your child is being bullied, don’t assume they will simply “get over it”.
Talk to them.
Talk to their teacher.
Talk to the school.
And make sure they understand one very important thing:
Their skin does not define them.
Eczema Doesn’t Only Affect the Child
There is another person in the eczema story who can easily disappear from the conversation.
The parent.
When your child is uncomfortable, you hurt too.
When they’re awake at 1am, you’re awake too.
When they’re scratching until their skin bleeds, you feel helpless.
When you’ve tried one cream after another and nothing seems to settle the flare, it can become incredibly frustrating.
And when you’re exhausted, it can be difficult to remain endlessly patient.
That doesn’t make you a bad parent.
It makes you a tired parent dealing with a difficult chronic condition.
Research involving Australian children has also highlighted the relationship between psychosocial circumstances and eczema severity, reinforcing that eczema management doesn’t happen in isolation from the child’s wider life.
So Which Comes First — The Eczema or the Mental Health?
Breaking this vicious cycle is not easy. Do we treat the mental health issues first or the condition?
It isn’t really an either/or decision.
Both matter.
Treating eczema effectively can reduce itching, improve sleep and make everyday life easier.
Supporting mental wellbeing can help a child cope with the frustration, embarrassment, stress and disruption that eczema can bring.
The most useful approach is often to look at the whole child rather than just the rash.
If eczema is affecting your child’s sleep, mood, confidence, friendships, school attendance or everyday activities, tell your GP.
Those details are clinically important.
Treating Eczema: What Parents Need to Know
The most common current treatment for eczema is steroid-based creams, sprays and lotions. They in themselves can cause further issues such as thinning of the skin, stretch marks and spider veins and the effectiveness of the treatment can diminish with regular use.
There is an important modern Australian treatment context to add here.
Topical corticosteroids remain an established mainstay of eczema treatment, and Australian healthdirect guidance states that side effects are rare when these medicines are used as prescribed. Different strengths are used according to factors such as the severity and location of the eczema.
That doesn’t mean topical corticosteroids are suitable for unlimited or unsupervised use.
It means the conversation needs to be more nuanced than “steroids are bad”.
The appropriate treatment depends on:
- where the eczema is
- how severe it is
- the person’s age
- how extensive the eczema is
- how often flares occur
- what has already been tried
- how the individual responds to treatment.
The Australian TGA describes topical corticosteroids as a mainstay of atopic dermatitis treatment and notes that different strengths and dosage forms are available.
So if you’re worried about steroid creams, don’t simply stop prescribed treatment or switch products without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Instead, ask questions.
What strength is this?
Where should I apply it?
How much should I use?
How long should I use it?
What should I do when the flare settles?
What are my non-steroid options?
Those are much more useful questions than simply asking whether steroids are “good” or “bad”.
Are There Non-Steroid Treatments for Eczema?
Yes.
This is one of the areas where eczema treatment has changed considerably.
Depending on the individual situation, steroid-sparing topical treatments can include medicines such as topical calcineurin inhibitors and other topical anti-inflammatory therapies.
Australian eczema guidance also describes treatments including topical phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, phototherapy and systemic treatments for selected patients with more severe disease.
These treatments are not necessarily suitable for everyone, and they are not simply alternatives that every parent should try independently.
They need to be matched to the age, severity, location and individual circumstances of the person with eczema.
The New Generation of Eczema Treatments
This is where eczema treatment becomes particularly interesting.
For people with moderate-to-severe eczema that isn’t adequately controlled with topical treatment, specialist treatment options have expanded significantly.
Depending on the diagnosis, age and circumstances, treatment may include:
- phototherapy
- systemic medicines
- JAK inhibitors
- other immunomodulating medicines
- biologic therapies
- newer targeted treatments.
The Eczema Association of Australasia describes the expansion of topical, systemic and biologic treatments for moderate-to-severe eczema.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has also registered newer medicines for atopic dermatitis.
For example, nemolizumab (Nemluvio) was registered in Australia in May 2025 for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults and patients aged 12 years and older who meet specified criteria for systemic therapy.
This doesn’t mean every person with eczema needs a biologic or a newer medicine.
It does mean that the treatment conversation has moved well beyond “moisturiser versus steroid cream.”
For someone whose eczema is severe, persistent or significantly affecting quality of life, a review by a GP or dermatologist can be worthwhile.
When Eczema Treatment Isn’t Working
If you’ve been faithfully following a treatment plan and your child’s eczema still isn’t settling, it is reasonable to go back and review the whole picture.
Ask:
- Is the diagnosis definitely eczema?
- Is there a secondary infection?
- Is the treatment being applied correctly?
- Is the treatment strong enough for the affected area?
- Is the child reacting to an irritant?
- Is scratching keeping the cycle going?
- Is poor sleep making everything harder?
- Are there environmental triggers?
- Is the eczema affecting mental wellbeing?
- Does your child need referral to a dermatologist or allergy specialist?
Sometimes the answer isn’t simply “try another cream.”
It may be time to reconsider the diagnosis or develop a more comprehensive treatment plan.
What About Diet?
This is one area where parents can easily become overwhelmed.
Search online for eczema and you’ll quickly find claims about:
- dairy
- gluten
- sugar
- preservatives
- “inflammation”
- gut health
- supplements
- elimination diets.
Some children with eczema also have food allergies.
But food allergy does not cause eczema.
ASCIA explains that food allergy and eczema can occur together, particularly in infants with moderate or severe eczema, but food allergy is not the underlying cause of eczema.
This distinction matters.
Parents should not automatically remove foods from a child’s diet because they have eczema.
Unnecessary food restriction can result in nutritional deficiencies, poor growth and other problems, and ASCIA recommends that elimination diets for suspected food allergy are medically supervised and involve an appropriately experienced dietitian.
So if you suspect food is triggering your child’s eczema, talk to your GP or an allergy specialist rather than starting a long list of food exclusions yourself.
What Can Trigger an Eczema Flare?
Every person with eczema is different.
There may not be one obvious trigger.
Australian ASCIA guidance identifies a range of possible irritants and aggravating factors, including:
- dry skin
- overheating
- soap
- perfumes
- prickly fabrics
- scratching
- infections
- some environmental allergens
- swimming pools
- sand
- temperature changes
- stress.
The important word is individual.
Your child’s trigger might be completely different from another child’s.
That is why keeping a simple record of flares can sometimes help identify patterns.
What Can Parents Do Every Day?
Every eczema sufferer has a different story to tell but some commonly appreciated advice is below.
- Recent research has seen some great breakthroughs in how eczema can be treated. Look for non-steroid eczema treatments and trial them over time. Some products promote seeing benefits in 5 days with severe cases taking longer.
- Look on eczema association websites for advice. They are full of fact sheets and treatment information.
- Take a wholistic approach to your remedies considering diet, lifestyle and direct treatment.
- Reach out to other sufferers and share stories and tips.
There is also a strong evidence-based foundation that can sit underneath these suggestions.
Moisturise Regularly
Australian healthdirect and ASCIA guidance recommends regular moisturising to help maintain the skin barrier, including when eczema is relatively settled.
For many children, this becomes part of everyday life.
After bathing:
pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it vigorously, then moisturise according to your healthcare professional’s advice.
Keep Baths and Showers Comfortable
Very hot water can dry and irritate eczema-prone skin.
Lukewarm water is generally recommended, and soap and heavily fragranced products can be irritating.
Keep Your Child Cool
Heat and sweating can aggravate eczema for some people.
This can be particularly important during Australian summers.
Think About Clothing
Soft, breathable fabrics can be more comfortable for sensitive skin.
If a particular fabric consistently seems to aggravate your child’s eczema, take note.
After Swimming
Chlorinated water can irritate some people’s eczema.
Australian guidance recommends rinsing after swimming and moisturising afterwards.
What About “Natural” Eczema Treatments?
Natural doesn’t automatically mean harmless.
Essential oils, fragrances, herbal preparations and other “natural” products can still irritate sensitive skin or trigger contact reactions in some people.
The same rule applies to every eczema product:
If it is being used on a child’s skin, it deserves to be treated with care.
Be particularly cautious about replacing prescribed treatment with an unproven remedy.
Complementary approaches may form part of someone’s broader wellbeing routine, but they should complement rather than replace evidence-based eczema care. Australian allergy guidance also recommends evidence-based approaches to allergy testing and treatment.
Don’t Keep Changing Everything at Once
When your child’s skin is bad, it’s completely understandable to want to try everything.
A new cream.
A new detergent.
A new bath product.
A new diet.
A new supplement.
A new treatment.
But if you change five things at once, you may never know what helped — or what irritated the skin.
Where possible, work with your healthcare professional to develop a simple, manageable treatment routine.
Consistency can be much easier to maintain than constantly starting again.
When Should You See a GP?
You don’t have to wait until eczema becomes unbearable.
See your GP if:
- you aren’t sure whether the rash is eczema
- your child’s eczema is getting worse
- treatment isn’t helping
- itching is interfering with sleep
- eczema is affecting school or everyday activities
- your child is becoming distressed or withdrawn
- the skin is painful
- the skin is bleeding or weeping
- you notice pus or crusting
- you suspect an infection
- your child has a fever or is generally unwell
- you are worried about a possible food allergy.
Australian ASCIA guidance recommends medical review when eczema is not improving or when a child is unwell, while healthdirect advises assessment of possible infections and more severe disease.
Could It Be Infected?
Eczema can make the skin more vulnerable to infection.
Watch for changes such as:
increasing pain, pus, significant weeping, worsening inflammation, crusting, fever or your child becoming unwell.
If you are concerned about infection, seek medical advice.
Healthdirect notes that eczema-affected skin can become infected with bacteria or viruses and that treatment depends on the cause and severity of the infection.
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
Treating the skin is important.
But don’t forget to treat the experience of having eczema.
Ask your child:
“How are you feeling about your skin?”
Not just:
“Is it itchy?”
Ask:
“Is anyone saying anything at school?”
“Do you feel uncomfortable when people look at it?”
“Is there anything you are avoiding because of your eczema?”
These conversations can reveal problems that a skin examination cannot.
If eczema is affecting your child’s confidence, friendships, school life or mood, talk to your GP about additional support.
A psychologist or counsellor may be appropriate where emotional distress has become significant.
Getting support doesn’t mean the eczema is “all in their head”.
It means you’re treating the whole person.
And Don’t Forget the Parent
There is no prize for doing this completely alone.
If you’ve spent night after night trying to stop your child scratching, you are allowed to admit that you’re exhausted.
If you’ve tried treatment after treatment, you’re allowed to feel frustrated.
If you feel guilty because you can’t make your child’s skin better, please remember:
eczema is not a parenting failure.
You didn’t cause it because you didn’t use the right washing powder.
You didn’t cause it because your child ate the wrong food.
And you haven’t failed because you haven’t found the perfect cream.
Sometimes eczema is simply difficult.
What matters is getting the right support and continuing to work towards a treatment plan that suits your child.
MYTH VS FACT: Eczema
MYTH: Eczema is contagious.
FACT: Eczema isn’t contagious.
MYTH: A child just needs to stop scratching.
FACT: The itch–scratch cycle can be driven by inflammation and damaged skin, making scratching difficult to control.
MYTH: Steroid creams are automatically dangerous.
FACT: Topical corticosteroids are an established treatment for eczema. Their safety depends on using the appropriate treatment correctly and according to medical advice.
MYTH: Steroids are the only treatment available.
FACT: Depending on the severity and individual circumstances, treatment can also include steroid-sparing topical medicines, phototherapy, systemic medicines and biologic therapies.
MYTH: Eczema means my child has a food allergy.
FACT: Food allergy can occur alongside eczema, particularly in some infants with moderate or severe eczema, but food allergy does not cause eczema.
MYTH: I should remove foods just in case.
FACT: Unnecessary elimination diets can create nutritional and allergy risks. Food exclusion should be medically supervised when food allergy is genuinely suspected.
MYTH: If eczema isn’t improving, I just need to find another product.
FACT: Persistent eczema may need a review of the diagnosis, treatment plan, triggers, infection risk and severity — and sometimes referral to a dermatologist or other specialist.
What Parents Wish They’d Known
Sometimes the most useful eczema advice isn’t another list of products.
It’s the things another parent wishes someone had told them sooner.
“I wish I’d known how much eczema could affect sleep.”
“I wish I’d understood that scratching wasn’t simply bad behaviour.”
“I wish I’d asked for help sooner.”
“I wish I’d known there were more treatment options.”
“I wish I’d stopped blaming myself.”
“I wish I’d talked to the school.”
“I wish I’d realised my child’s emotional wellbeing mattered just as much as their skin.”
And perhaps most importantly:
“I wish I’d known I wasn’t alone.”
A Simple Whole-Family Eczema Plan
There isn’t one magic solution.
Instead, think about eczema management as a collection of pieces that work together.
1. Protect the skin barrier
Moisturise regularly and follow your healthcare professional’s skincare recommendations.
2. Treat inflammation
Use prescribed treatments correctly rather than waiting until a flare becomes severe.
3. Manage the itch
Reducing inflammation is central to breaking the itch–scratch cycle.
4. Protect sleep
If eczema is repeatedly waking your child, tell your healthcare professional.
5. Identify individual triggers
Look for patterns without assuming there is one universal trigger.
6. Watch for infection
Know the signs and seek medical advice when necessary.
7. Protect emotional wellbeing
Talk about confidence, embarrassment, friendships and school.
8. Review treatment when needed
If eczema isn’t adequately controlled, ask whether the treatment plan needs to change.
9. Get specialist help when appropriate
Moderate-to-severe or difficult-to-control eczema may require dermatology or other specialist input.
10. Look after the parent too
Because the person caring for the child needs care as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eczema and Mental Health
Can eczema affect a child’s mental health?
Yes. Eczema can affect sleep, confidence, social participation, mood and quality of life. Australian eczema organisations recognise the emotional burden associated with persistent itching, visible symptoms and disrupted sleep.
Can stress make eczema worse?
It can. Stress does not cause eczema, but it can aggravate symptoms for some people and may contribute to increased itching and inflammation.
Can eczema cause sleep problems?
Yes. Persistent itching can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Sleep disruption can then affect mood, behaviour and daytime functioning.
Will my child grow out of eczema?
Many children improve as they grow, although some continue to experience eczema into adolescence or adulthood.
Is eczema contagious?
No. Eczema is not contagious.
Are steroid creams safe for children?
Topical corticosteroids are an established treatment for eczema and can be used safely when the appropriate product is used correctly and according to medical advice.
Are there non-steroid treatments?
Yes. Depending on age, severity and location, treatment may include steroid-sparing topical medicines and, for selected patients with more severe disease, phototherapy, systemic medicines or biologic therapies.
Should I remove dairy or gluten from my child’s diet?
Not simply because your child has eczema. Food allergy and eczema can occur together, but food allergy does not cause eczema. Unnecessary food exclusion can cause nutritional problems and should be medically supervised when indicated.
Can my child play sport with eczema?
Generally, eczema does not mean a child has to stop being active. However, heat, sweating and particular environments can aggravate eczema in some people. Identifying individual triggers and working around them can help.
Can my child swim?
Children with eczema can swim, although chlorine and prolonged water exposure can irritate some people’s skin. Rinsing after swimming and moisturising afterwards may help.
When should I see a dermatologist?
Consider discussing referral with your GP if eczema is severe, persistent, recurrent, difficult to control, significantly affecting quality of life or not responding adequately to treatment.
The Bottom Line for Parents
Eczema can look like a skin problem.
But when you’re living with it, you quickly realise it can become a sleep problem, a confidence problem, a school problem, a family problem and sometimes a mental health problem too.
That doesn’t mean eczema has to take over your child’s life.
Modern eczema care is about much more than finding one miracle cream.
It’s about protecting the skin barrier, controlling inflammation, managing the itch, protecting sleep, understanding individual triggers, recognising infection, supporting emotional wellbeing and reviewing treatment when the current approach isn’t enough.
And if your child is struggling emotionally, don’t wait until things become overwhelming before asking for help.
Their mental health matters.
Your sleep matters.
Your wellbeing matters.
And the condition deserves to be treated as more than something that simply needs to be covered up.
Above all stay positive and look for the combined approach that works best for you. You’ve got this!
You don’t have to find the perfect answer overnight.
Sometimes the most important step is simply finding the right person to help you take the next one.
Australian References and Further Reading
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) – Fast Facts. Australian and New Zealand specialist allergy organisation.
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) – Frequently Asked Questions.
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Eczema and Food Allergy – Fast Facts.
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Evidence-Based Versus Non Evidence-Based Tests and Treatments for Allergic Disorders.
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care / Healthdirect Australia. Eczema – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment.
Eczema Association of Australasia. Eczema and Mental Health: Understanding the Emotional Toll.
Eczema Association of Australasia. Stress and Eczema: How They Are Related.
Eczema Association of Australasia. How Stress Hormones Affect the Eczema-Prone Skin Barrier.
Eczema Association of Australasia. Advances in Eczema Treatments: What You Need to Know.
Eczema Association of Australasia. Understanding Eczema Guide.
Raising Children Network. Eczema in Babies, Children and Teenagers. Australian parenting resource supported by the Australian Government.
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Australian Public Assessment Report – Nemluvio (nemolizumab).
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Australian Public Assessment Report – Anzupgo (delgocitinib).
Australian paediatric research: Psychosocial Determinants and Atopic Dermatitis Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study From an Australian Paediatric Centre. The study examined 908 children attending a Melbourne tertiary paediatric centre and found associations between psychosocial determinants and disease severity and healthcare use.
Australian general-practice research: Prevalence, incidence and management of atopic dermatitis in Australian general practice using routinely collected data from MedicineInsight. The study reported substantial psychosocial and quality-of-life effects associated with atopic dermatitis and provides Australian primary-care context for the condition.
Medical note
This article is intended as an Australian parent information resource, not a substitute for individual medical advice. Eczema can look different from one child to another, and treatment needs to be tailored to the individual’s age, symptoms, severity, skin location and medical history. If a child has severe, persistent, infected or poorly controlled eczema, or if eczema is affecting their sleep, school, mood or quality of life, speak with a GP or appropriate healthcare professional
Aditi Mamtani
Aditi Mamtani is a biochemist and co-founder of Arete Labs, an independent R&D lab founded in 2019 specialising in personal care, cosmeceuticals, babycare, homecare, petcare, and pharma. In 2023, Arete Labs launched Curezma, a ground-breaking treatment that not only relieves the symptoms but addresses the root cause of the condition. Aditi and her partner Jai Uniyal were inspired to develop the Curezma range by their firsthand experience when their 5-year-old daughter developed the condition. They have developed Curezma to bring relief and renewed hope to families affected by eczema.
