One in five children and one in 10 adults in the UK are affected by eczema. So it is hugely important that pharmacy staff are able to advise on how to manage this problem.

First of all, here is a reminder of what happens underneath the skin to make it feel dry and itchy. The diagram above shows a cross-section of the skin in its normal, healthy state compared to skin with symptoms of eczema (also known as dermatitis). If skin loses moisture (water, fats and oils), it becomes dry and irritants and bacteria pass through cracks to its deeper layers, causing irritation. White blood cells and fluid rush to the area in response, and an accumulation of white cells causes swelling and a rash, which causes further irritation and itchiness. The swelling can become chronic and the natural barrier of the skin compromised, which leads to dryness and an uncomfortable, irritable long-term rash.