Fact sheet

Eczema

Dry, itchy, inflamed skin that flares and settles. Common in kids, often improves with age, not contagious. The fix is boring but brilliant: moisturise daily, treat flares early and properly.

The eczema ladder

Moisturiser is the floor you stand on, not a step you leave behind. Climb only if flares keep winning.

  1. Step 1 · Self-careMoisturiser, every dayThick, fragrance-free cream or ointment, at least twice a day, even when skin looks clear.
    Works
    About 60% fewer flares in trials (Cochrane), and less steroid cream needed
    Cost
    About $10–30 for a big tub (500 g)
    How long
    Daily, long term
    Watch for
    Stinging on broken skin. “Natural” products with plant extracts or fragrance can irritate.

    The best moisturiser is the one you actually use. Generously. Twice a day.

  2. Step 2 · PharmacyMild steroid cream (hydrocortisone)For mild flares, especially on the face or in young children.
    Works
    Settles mild eczema, but weaker: a moderate steroid clears 1 extra person per 6 treated, a potent one 1 per 3
    Cost
    About $5–15 a tube
    How long
    Once or twice a day until clear, usually days to 2 weeks
    Watch for
    If it’s not settling in a week, you probably need something stronger, not more of this.

    Using it sparingly “to be safe” mostly makes the flare last longer.

  3. Step 3 · PrescriptionStronger steroid cream or ointment (e.g. methylprednisolone aceponate, mometasone)The main treatment for flares on the body and limbs.
    Works
    Clears most flares in 1–2 weeks; twice-weekly use afterwards prevents a relapse in about 1 in 3 treated
    Cost
    Under the $25 PBS co-payment, about $20–25 a tube
    How long
    Once daily until clear. Then 2 days a week on usual hotspots to prevent flares.
    Watch for
    Skin thinning only with long, continuous overuse. Stopping too early is the commoner problem.

    Steroid fear has caused more itchy nights than steroid creams ever have.

  4. Step 4 · PrescriptionNon-steroid creams (pimecrolimus, tacrolimus)Calm inflammation without steroid. Handy for eyelids, face and long-term use.
    Works
    About as good as a moderate steroid (tacrolimus); pimecrolimus is a bit weaker
    Cost
    Pimecrolimus: $25 on the PBS ($7.70 concession)
    How long
    Short bursts, or twice a week to prevent flares
    Watch for
    Burning or warmth for the first few days. Don’t use on infected skin.

    Stings in week one, then gets on with the job.

  5. Step 5 · SpecialistLight therapy (phototherapy)Controlled UV light treatment at a dermatology clinic for widespread eczema.
    Works
    Low-certainty evidence: improvement about 3 times as likely as with a dummy treatment light in a small trial
    Cost
    Medicare-rebated; gaps vary by clinic, plus specialist fees
    How long
    2–3 sessions a week for 2–3 months
    Watch for
    Sunburn-type redness. Travel time adds up.

    A tanning bed is not the same thing. Not even close.

  6. Step 6 · SpecialistInjections or tablets (e.g. dupilumab, upadacitinib)Newer medicines for severe eczema, started by a dermatologist.
    Works
    About 1 in 2 (dupilumab) to 7 in 10 (upadacitinib) get 75% clearer by 16 weeks, vs about 1 in 7 on a dummy treatment
    Cost
    $25 per script on the PBS for severe eczema ($7.70 concession), plus specialist fees
    How long
    Judged at about 16 weeks; often long term
    Watch for
    Injections: sore, red eyes. Tablets: infections, acne, blood test monitoring, not in pregnancy.

    Life-changing for severe eczema. Overkill for a dry patch on your elbow.

Costs are rough Australian prices in October 2026 and vary by pharmacy and provider. PBS co-payment: $25, or $7.70 with a concession card. Results are typical figures from trials, not promises.

Save your money

Popular, heavily marketed or often asked about, but the evidence is weak or says no.

What you can do

See your GP if

See a doctor the same day for sudden painful clustered blisters or sores, especially near the eyes, or a child with fever who seems unwell.

Common questions

Are steroid creams safe for eczema?

Yes, when used as directed. They are the main treatment for flares: apply to all red, itchy skin once a day until settled, usually 1 to 2 weeks. Under-using them is a bigger problem than overusing them.

What is the best moisturiser for eczema?

A thick, fragrance-free cream or ointment you’re happy to use at least twice a day, even when skin looks clear. Cheap works as well as expensive.

Will cutting out foods help eczema?

Rarely, and it can harm growth in children. Only change the diet on medical advice if a food allergy is confirmed.

Is eczema contagious?

No. It is common in children and often improves with age.

What causes eczema?

Eczema comes from a leaky skin barrier plus an overactive immune response in the skin, and genes play a big part. It often runs in families with asthma and hay fever. It isn’t caused by poor hygiene and it isn’t contagious.

Will my child grow out of eczema?

Many do. Eczema often improves a lot through childhood, and over half of children are clear or much better by their teens, though skin may stay sensitive. Good daily care now helps keep it under control.

What triggers eczema flares?

Common triggers are heat and sweat, soap and bubble baths, wool or scratchy fabrics, dry air in winter, infections, dust mites and stress. Many flares have no clear trigger, so regular moisturiser and early treatment matter most.

Helpful resources

Evidence and more information

Updated 28 October 2026. General education, not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your situation, so talk to your GP or pharmacist.

Related

maladywise.com/eczema/