'I'm a doctor - these four common eczema myths are completely untrue'

is one of the most common skin conditions in the UK, affecting both adults and children.

Despite this, there are many misconceptions about it. To set the record straight, spoke with Dr Donald Grant, a and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, who helps debunk myths about the condition. Misconceptions about the condition can make it difficult for those who have to live it - from those dealing with random flare-ups to longer-term issues, the best way to tackle this condition is to find the best treatment.

According to the : “Atopic (atopic dermatitis) is a common skin condition that causes itchy skin. It affects people of all ages but is most common in young children. It cannot be cured, but treatment can help manage the symptoms.” It’s a condition that can appear “in different areas of the body, but it's common on the elbows, knees and hands. In and toddlers, it's also common on the face.”

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It’s a childhood condition

Many people mistakenly think eczema is something that only affects children. While eczema is often first diagnosed in childhood, it can appear at any age. Dr Grant explains, “While it’s common for the condition to be diagnosed during childhood, eczema can be brought on at any age. Adult-onset eczema is fairly common and can be caused by exposure to different irritants or hormonal changes.” So actually even if you didn’t have eczema as a child you can still develop it as an adult.

Hygiene

Another widespread myth is that eczema is caused by poor hygiene. Dr Grant disagrees, she says it’s a mix of factors like genetics, environmental irritants and stress.

While keeping your skin clean is important, over-washing or using harsh soaps can actually worsen eczema. Excessive sanitising during the pandemic triggered a rise in eczema flare-ups, as harsh hand gels and frequent washing dried out the skin. She advises using gentle products.

Eczema will resolve itself

It’s a common belief that eczema will eventually go away without treatment. However, Dr Grant warns, not to ignore the condition. “Firstly, with the skin’s natural barrier broken, bacteria could quickly lead to infections. Additionally, ignoring eczema can dramatically impact people’s quality of life – itchiness can impact sleep quality, leading to fatigue and raised stress levels.” This condition is best acknowledged and then treated.

Dry skin and eczema are not the same

Eczema is more than just dry skin. While dryness is a symptom, the condition also causes inflammation, itching, and in severe cases, blisters. Eczema disrupts the skin’s protective barrier and is more serious than dry skin. Dr Grant encourages seeing your GP if you aren’t sure what condition you have.

Dr Grant says being able to spot the signs, and manage flare-ups is the best way to treat eczema.