Managing and prescribing for atopic eczema in children

Atopic eczema is a chronic condition characterised by dry, itchy skin. It can affect individuals of any age, but it is usually seen in children.

Around 20% of children have eczema at some point in their childhood.¹ Most children grow out of the condition before they become teenagers, but for some, the condition persists into adulthood. Many factors affect the expression of atopic eczema; there is thought to be a strong genetic component making an individual not only vulnerable to developing eczema, but also to other atopic conditions, such as asthma and hayfever. This genetic vulnerability, along with environmental factors, can trigger exacerbations or ‘flare-ups’.