Our children’s skin is soft and delicate, which also makes it more sensitive to everyday irritants. Eczema, also known as atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common skin conditions in childhood - affecting around one in five children in the UK.
While it can look worrying, eczema is very manageable. With the right skincare routine and awareness of common triggers, most parents can keep their child’s symptoms comfortable and under control.
So, how can you spot the signs of eczema and keep your child’s skin protected? Anmol Thakor - Medical Detailer for Eucerin at Beiersdorf - shares his advice.
What causes eczema in children?
Children’s skin is thinner and more delicate than adults’, meaning it can lose moisture more easily and react more strongly to irritants.
Eczema can develop for a number of reasons, including:
Genetics: Children are more likely to have eczema if one or both parents have eczema, hay fever or asthma.
Environmental factors: Urban pollution, hard water and sudden temperature changes like cold weather in winter can irritate the skin.
Skin barrier weakness: Some children naturally produce fewer lipids, which help to lock in moisture, making their skin drier and more prone to flare-ups.
The good news? Many children’s symptoms improve or disappear entirely as they grow older.
What triggers eczema flare-ups in kids?
According to Anmol, “Eczema flare-ups happen when the skin barrier is weak or damaged. In eczema-prone skin, the outer layer (the stratum corneum) doesn’t hold together as well because it has fewer lipids, fewer ceramides and fewer natural moisturising factors (NMFs).
“This means:
Moisture escapes too quickly
Irritants, allergens and microbes can enter more easily
The skin becomes dry, cracked and inflamed.”
He adds that “children with eczema often have filaggrin gene mutations, which make the skin more alkaline, less hydrated and more open to irritants. Whenever the barrier becomes more compromised [...], flare-ups are more likely.”
Common symptoms of eczema in children
Eczema can appear at any age, but it’s most common before the age of five.
In babies: You might first notice dry, itchy patches on their cheeks, chin, scalp (cradle cap), elbows or knees.
In toddlers and older children: Eczema can develop in the creases of the elbows and knees, around the neck, wrists and ankles or behind their ears. Their skin may feel dry, bumpy or thicker than usual.
The key thing to remember is that eczema looks different on every child - so if you’re unsure, it’s always worth asking your GP or health visitor for advice.
Caring for your child’s eczema
The best approach to managing eczema is consistency. Gentle, fragrance-free skincare and a few practical tweaks at home can make a big difference. As Anmol explains, “Home care focuses on restoring and protecting the skin barrier while reducing dryness and itch.”
1. Choose gentle products
Avoid anything that could irritate the skin, such as bubble baths, soaps or detergents with fragrance or harsh chemicals. Choose mild, non-bio washing powders and simple, unscented bath products.
Anmol emphasises that you should “use gentle skincare – avoid fragrance and soap-based cleansers that can weaken the barrier. [...] Products designed for sensitive or dry skin are formulated to be gentle and barrier-protective.”
2. Opt for soft, breathable fabrics
Clothing made from cotton or bamboo feels soft and allows air to circulate. Avoid wool or synthetic fabrics like polyester, which can make skin feel itchy.
3. Keep the home environment calm
Dust mites, pollen and pet dander can trigger irritation. Vacuum and dust regularly to minimise build-up and keep pets out of bedrooms where possible.
4. Moisturise regularly
Emollients are the cornerstone of eczema care. These rich moisturising treatments – available as lotions, creams, gels or balms – help restore the skin barrier and lock in hydration.
Anmol notes that a key part of home care is to “prevent moisture loss – apply emollients regularly to stop water from escaping too quickly.” He also recommends focusing on formulas that “strengthen the skin barrier – use barrier-repairing creams that replenish ceramides, Omega oils and NMFs, helping the ‘bricks and mortar’ of the skin stay intact,” and that “soothe inflammation and itch” with ingredients such as Licochalcone A, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-redness properties.
Before applying, make sure your hands are clean and smooth the product gently in the direction of hair growth to avoid clogging pores. “Daily use helps the skin stay calm, hydrated and more resilient between flare-ups,” Anmol adds.
Tried and trusted: Eucerin AtoControl Calming Balm
Eucerin AtoControl Calming Balm is formulated specifically for eczema-prone and sensitive skin. It’s fragrance-free, dermatologically tested and suitable for babies from birth.
According to Anmol, when choosing a cream for children you should look for something that “supports and strengthens the skin barrier,” “provides long-lasting moisture,” “contains ceramides or lipid-replenishing ingredients,” “soothes redness and itching,” and is “gentle enough for babies, including newborns,” with “no fragrance or harsh irritants.”
AtoControl Calming Balm meets these needs. The lightweight, non-greasy formula contains:
Licochalcone A (from liquorice root) to help calm redness and irritation. As Anmol notes, the balm “includes Licochalcone A, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-redness properties.”
Ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture. It “contains ceramides and Omega oils to reinforce the weakened ‘mortar’ in eczema skin.”
Shea butter for long-lasting nourishment. The balm “provides long-lasting hydration for up to 48 hours, helping compensate for the rapid water loss common in eczema.”
Anmol also highlights that it “relieves itch – proven in a study with 160 volunteers – 91% said it relieved long-lasting itchiness,” and that it’s “gentle enough for newborns” and “designed specifically for eczema sufferers.”
Daily use is important too. “Using AtoControl Calming Balm every day keeps the barrier stronger, reduces water loss, helps restore the lipids eczema skin lacks, prevents dryness that can trigger flare-ups and keeps skin calmer and more comfortable over time.”
It’s a popular pick amongst our Mumnetters, with Zigzag19 sharing: “It's an effective moisturiser and barrier type cream that helps with dry skin conditions. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good quality moisturiser for delicate skin.”
“Normally my daughter's skin is dry and always feels and looks irritated but this cream helps with this problem,” Fairy10 added. “It hasn't irritated her skin at all and leaves it feeling soft and hydrated. It’s non greasy, absorbs quickly and is thick and easy to apply.”