Free standard UK delivery
on orders over £70. Click here for delivery information
Eczema and dermatitis are the most common skin conditions in the UK. Our online clinic offers a diverse range of treatments to manage eczema and dermatitis, including prescription eczema treatment and over-the-counter products.
Takes less than 5 minutes
100% confidential
UK registered & regulated
Please complete the consultation form before selecting your chosen treatment.
Complete our free online consultation for our pharmacists to review.
Choose your eczema treatment & complete the checkout process.
Once approved, your treatment is discreetly delivered to your door.
We offer a variety of delivery options including next day. Spend over £70 for FREE delivery.
We are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council & NHS registered.
Our pharmacy, clinic & prescribers are based in Greater Manchester.
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It is also known as atopic dermatitis. There are several different types of eczema with unique characteristics. The main types are:
Atopic eczema is often linked to a genetic predisposition and is commonly associated with other atopic disorders, such as asthma and hay fever. Environmental factors, skin barrier defects, and your immune system can also play a role. It is characterised by dry, itchy skin and typically starts in childhood.
The exact cause of dyshidrotic eczema (also known as Pompholyx) is unknown, but it’s often linked to seasonal allergies, stress, and moist hands and feet. It appears as small blisters on hands and feet and may also be associated with other skin conditions.
Nummular eczema is usually triggered by skin injuries like burns, abrasions, or insect bites. Dry skin, particularly during winter months, can also lead to nummular eczema. It typically presents as round, coin-shaped spots on the skin that are very itchy.
If eczema is flaring up, there will be warning signs on the skin. Knowing these common symptoms can help you notice when your condition is getting worse. Paying attention helps manage eczema better.
Common symptoms of eczema include:
Eczema can appear all over the body, though typically in adults, common locations are the hands, especially fingers. In children, eczema often affects inside elbows and backs of knees. Children and adolescents may also see it on faces and scalps. Among children with brown or black skin, outsides of elbows and fronts of knees are common.
Understanding what triggers eczema helps to better manage the condition. Different factors can cause flare-ups, and these vary from person to person:Â
The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Â
If your parents have eczema, you are more likely to develop it too as a result of the genes you inherit from them. A 2015 study found that the chance of inheriting eczema is approximately 75%, where children with one or both parents affected by eczema or who have siblings with the condition are more prone to developing eczema themselves compared to children without a family history of the skin problem.Â
This increased likelihood is thought to be because eczema often runs in families due to genetic factors like shared mutated genes that protect your immune system.Â
Everyday items and materials in your environment may be triggering your eczema flares. Things like certain soaps, cleaning products, dyes or other chemicals you come into contact with through your work or personal care routines could be causing contact dermatitis and exacerbating symptoms.
If you work in a profession where you regularly handle potential irritants, like healthcare, mechanics, or custodial work, the things you touch on the job may be contributing to increased eczema flares.
The most effective eczema treatments include a combination of lifestyle changes, skincare routines, and medical treatments, particularly during flare-ups.Â
For all types of eczema, treatment includes regular use of emollients and mild soaps helps relieve dry, itchy skin, repairs the natural skin barrier and prevents further inflammation.
Dermatitis is a term used for various forms of skin inflammation. Whether triggered by external irritants or internal factors, it typically presents as red, swollen, and itchy skin. The main types of dermatitis are:
Contact dermatitis is triggered by skin contact with allergens like metals or fragrances, or irritants such as detergents or solvents. It results from either an allergic reaction or direct irritation of the skin, causing red, itchy, and inflamed skin.
Seborrheic dermatitis is linked to an abnormal immune response to a yeast commonly found on the skin, and other factors like stress and cold, dry weather. It is more common in people with oily skin and commonly affects oily areas of the body, such as your scalp, eyebrows, ears and chest, leading to red, scaly, itchy skin. Seborrheic dermatitis can’t be cured but you can alleviate symptoms.
Treating dermatitis often involves medical creams, emollients or gels to help moisturise the skin to relieve dryness. However, the type of dermatitis you have determines the best long-term treatment options.
Eczema and dermatitis are often used interchangeably because dermatitis is a broader term for skin inflammation. Eczema specifically refers to a group of conditions characterised by itchy, inflamed skin.
One of the biggest myths about eczema is that it’s contagious. Eczema cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is not contagious. It is believed to be related to an overgrowth of normal skin inhabitants which triggers the condition.
Early signs of eczema include itching, red or brownish-gray patches, and small, raised bumps that may leak fluid when scratched. These symptoms can appear anywhere on your body, with common areas including arms, behind the knees, hands, or on the face and scalp in infants.
Diet can play a role in eczema. Certain foods may trigger flare-ups, especially in people with food allergies. Common triggers include dairy, nuts, soy, and gluten.Â
Topical corticosteroids are a common treatment for eczema, but their long-term use can cause thinning of the skin. Using the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time is the best way to avoid this.
Your GP or pharmacist will advise you how long you can use steroid creams for to treat eczema, and should help you with other skincare products to help manage symptoms so you don’t need to stay on them long term.
There is no cure for eczema, but it can be managed effectively with the right treatment and skincare strategies. Many children with eczema find that their symptoms improve as they get older.
Natural remedies like coconut oil or oatmeal baths can help soothe eczema symptoms. However, they are often not enough to effectively treat eczema on their own.
When considering natural remedies for eczema treatment, consult your GP or pharmacist to discuss your options, as not all natural remedies are safe or effective for everyone.
As eczema causes skin inflammation, you should use fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturisers that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin. Ointments and creams tend to be more effective than lotions.
Severe eczema can increase the risk of skin infections due to the breakdown of the skin barrier. There is also an association between eczema and other atopic conditions like asthma and hay fever.
While stress does not directly cause dermatitis, it can exacerbate the symptoms or trigger flare-ups, especially in types like atopic dermatitis (eczema) and seborrheic dermatitis.
If over-the-counter treatments are ineffective in treating your eczema or dermatitis, it’s important to consult a GP or pharmacist. They can prescribe stronger medications or suggest alternative treatment strategies.
ExcellentBased on 68 reviewsIbrahim Ahsan01/07/2023Very helpful staff, never had any issues with this pharmacy, 100% recommendJulie Beardsley17/05/2023Very professional service. Just like having your very own pharmacist. BrilliantMohammed Khan09/05/2023Just had private bloods taken short wait time very thorough good price nice lady would recommend.Sarah Smithies07/05/2023It is great to have somewhere local that does blood testing. The staff are lovely, helpful and experienced. They fit me in last minute. There is never a wait and the results back within a day or two.Bob.b27/03/2023After refusal of doctors appointment same old same old ring back etc. I was invited at 5.25 to see doctor I drove over immediately. Everything fully explained and checked over I was leaving by 6pm with penicillin for strep throat. Had I followed my doctors receptionist I would probably have suffered longer and increased the chances of a worse infection.I Great efficient service.Lisa Lowther17/03/2023Fantastic service went for blood done very fast very friendly fantastic customer service
on orders over £70. Click here for delivery information
Manage Cookies
We use website cookies to ensure that you receive the best experience. If you're happy and would like to carry on browsing click "Accept", or find out more about our Cookie PolicyCookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
Login