Symptoms
Symptoms of eczema and dermatitis
Dryness and itch are the core features. Weeping golden crusts, rapidly spreading redness, or fever suggest infection and need a different plan from a stronger steroid cream alone.
Treatments
Eczema Treatment Online
Get eczema and dermatitis treatment online. A UK-registered clinician reviews creams and steroids, with discreet UK delivery if treatment is suitable.
Introduction
Treatment overview
Eczema (dermatitis) is an inflammatory skin condition that causes dry, itchy, red skin. Flares can be triggered by soaps, allergens, infection, or stress.
We will review emollients and topical anti-inflammatory treatments after checking for infection and whether a GP or dermatologist is needed.
The condition
What is eczema (dermatitis)?
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a long-term tendency to dry, itchy, inflamed skin. The skin barrier is leaky, so water escapes and irritants get in more easily. Flares come and go. Other forms of dermatitis include contact allergy to nickel or fragrances, and irritant dermatitis from repeated hand washing.
Itch can be intense, especially at night. Scratching thickens the skin and can break it, allowing bacterial infection. Eczema is not caused by being dirty. Food allergy is only relevant for some people, mostly young children, and restrictive diets should not be started without professional advice.
Private Pharmacy Care may review emollients and topical anti-inflammatory treatment when this service is open. A clinician decides potency, site and duration. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Painful punched-out sores with fever (eczema herpeticum) are an emergency. Always read the patient information leaflet.
Causes
Causes and triggers of eczema
Genetics and a faulty skin barrier sit underneath most atopic eczema. Day-to-day flares are often driven by soap, infection, heat and allergens.
Treatments
Available treatment options
This is a guide to UK eczema care. A clinician decides steroid potency and whether an anti-infective is needed. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Phototherapy and tablet immunosuppressants are specialist treatments.
Products
Hydrocortisone 1% Cream
Hydrocortisone 1% cream — a mild steroid for irritated, inflamed skin such as eczema and dermatitis. Ages 12+.…
Benefits
Benefits and uses
Daily emollients are the base of care. Prescription steroid or other anti-inflammatory creams are used in short, directed bursts on active patches.
Flare control
When suitable, topical steroids or related creams can calm inflamed skin.
Moisturiser strategy
Leave-on emollients beat soap and repeated washing with detergent.
Infection check
Weeping, crusting, or rapidly worsening pain may be infected eczema that needs different care.
Steroid-safe directions
How much, how long, and which body area all matter.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Mild to moderate flares in adults may be suitable. Eczema herpeticum (painful punched-out sores with fever) is an emergency.
May be suitable if
- Dry, itchy patches consistent with eczema
- You can apply emollients frequently
- You will use topical steroids only as directed
- You can tell us about asthma, allergies, and current creams
May not be suitable if
- Painful blisters, fever, and rapidly spreading punched-out sores
- A very widespread flare with inability to sleep or dress
- You need phototherapy or systemic eczema medicines
- Allergy to proposed ingredients
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Ready to check if Eczema treatment is right for you?
Start a confidential consultation. Seek urgent care for fever with a painful blistering eczema flare.
- UK-registered clinician review
- Confidential online consultation
- Discreet UK delivery
How it works
How it works
Emollients repair the skin barrier. Topical corticosteroids reduce inflammation. Use the fingertip unit as a dose guide. Stop steroid creams when the flare settles, but keep moisturising.
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Complete a consultation
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
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Clinician review
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
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Dispensing and delivery
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
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Support if you need it
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Safety information
Do not use strong steroids on the face or groins unless a clinician has specified that product and duration.
Infected eczema and eczema herpeticum need urgent in-person care.
- Apply steroid to inflamed skin, emollient to all dry skin, unless told otherwise.
- Avoid soap; use an emollient as a wash.
- Seek help if skin is hot, swollen, golden-crusted, or you have fever.
- Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Side effects
Side effects
Burning on application can happen at first. Long-term overuse of potent steroids thins skin.
- Stinging when first applied Often brief. Stop if the skin breaks down.
- Skin thinning (steroid overuse) Follow duration and potency advice.
- Folliculitis or stretch marks More likely with prolonged potent steroid use under occlusion.
- Allergic reaction to a cream base Worsening itch after a new product should be reviewed.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
How to take or use the treatment
Always read the patient information leaflet. Steroid creams are safe when used correctly; problems come from the wrong strength, the wrong site, or using them for too long without review. The steps below are general.
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Moisturise all dry skin, often
Apply emollient in the direction of hair growth. Allow it to soak in. If you use a steroid, a common approach is steroid to inflamed patches and emollient to the rest, unless you have been given a specific order of application.
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Use fingertip units for steroids
A strip of cream from the last crease of an adult finger to the tip covers about two adult hand areas. Do not plaster thick layers on the face.
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Stop the steroid when the flare settles
Continue emollients. If you need a potent steroid most weeks of the year, you need a review, not a bigger tube by default.
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Avoid soap and fragranced products
Wash with an emollient. Pat dry. Keep nails short. Seek help rather than adding more steroid if the skin is hot, swollen and golden-crusted.
Safety netting
When to seek medical advice
Stinging when a cream is first applied can happen. Fever with a painful blistering flare is an emergency.
Seek urgent help (A&E) if
- Painful, rapidly spreading punched-out sores on eczema with fever — possible eczema herpeticum; go to A&E.
- Spreading hot redness, swelling, and feeling very unwell — possible cellulitis or sepsis; go to A&E if severely ill, otherwise urgent care the same day.
- Severe allergic swelling of the face or breathing difficulty after a new cream — go to A&E.
- A baby or child who is not drinking, is lethargic, or has a non-blanching rash.
Contact a clinician or NHS 111 if
- Weeping, yellow crusts, or a flare that is not responding to your usual cream — a GP may need to treat infection.
- You are using a potent steroid on the face, groins, or large areas for weeks — ask for a review because of skin thinning risk.
- Sleep is destroyed most nights, or eczema covers large areas of the body — GP or dermatology referral may be needed.
- You think a specific product, occupation, or jewellery is the cause — a GP can advise on patch testing rather than endless cream changes.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Is this service available now?
Yes. Start an online consultation. Keep using emollients; see a GP if a flare is severe or infected.
Are topical steroids dangerous?
Used correctly they are a standard, effective treatment. Problems come from the wrong potency, the wrong site, or using them for too long without review.
Should I stop moisturiser when skin looks better?
Usually no. Emollients are maintenance, not just flare treatment.
Can diet cure eczema?
Food allergy is only relevant for some people, mostly young children. Do not start restrictive diets without professional advice.
Why choose us
Why choose Private Pharmacy Care?
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
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UK-registered clinicians
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
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Confidential consultations
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
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Discreet UK dispensing
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
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Clear safety checks
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
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Support after you order
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
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Regulated pharmacy care
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Sources
References and medical sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
- NHS: Atopic eczema Patient-facing NHS guidance.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries UK clinical reference used by healthcare professionals.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) UK Summaries of Product Characteristics and patient information leaflets.
- MHRA UK medicines regulator.
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