Eczema is a common group of skin conditions that cause the skin to become dry, itchy, inflamed, and irritated. The most common type is atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis).
Typical symptoms include:
- Dry, flaky, or cracked skin
- Itching, sometimes intense
- Red, swollen, or darker patches depending on skin tone
- Small bumps or areas that may ooze or crust when severely irritated
- Skin that can become thicker from repeated scratching
Eczema isn't contagious. It can flare up in response to things such as soaps, detergents, dry weather, heat, stress, allergens, or friction, although triggers vary between people.
Treatment usually focuses on regular moisturising, avoiding personal triggers, and reducing inflammation during flares.
if you have eczema, the main things to avoid are anything that dries, irritates, or overheats your skin. Common triggers include:
- Harsh soaps and shower gels — especially fragranced or antibacterial products.
- Fragrances and perfumes — including scented moisturisers, laundry products, and cosmetics.
- Products with irritating ingredients — if a particular cream or cosmetic consistently makes your skin sting or flare, stop using it.
- Long, hot showers or baths — use lukewarm water and keep bathing relatively short.
- Scrubbing and exfoliating — avoid rough washcloths, scrubs, and vigorous rubbing.
- Rough or tight clothing — wool and some synthetic fabrics can irritate; loose, soft cotton is often more comfortable.
- Overheating and excessive sweating — heat can trigger itching and flares in some people.
- Harsh laundry detergents or fabric softeners — consider a fragrance-free detergent and an extra rinse if these seem to trigger symptoms.
- Scratching — difficult when you're itchy, but scratching can damage the skin and increase the risk of infection. Keeping nails short can help.
- Known personal triggers — eczema triggers vary considerably, so it's useful to notice what consistently precedes your flares.
Don't automatically avoid foods. Food allergies can sometimes be associated with eczema, particularly in children, but unnecessarily eliminating foods isn't recommended unless there's a suspected allergy and you've discussed it with a healthcare professional.
I am a big believer in improving your gut microbiome, but is there a link between eczema and the gut?
Yes — there appears to be a link between eczema (especially atopic dermatitis) and the gut microbiome, often called the gut–skin axis. But the science is still developing, and it's not yet clear whether gut microbiome changes cause eczema, result from it, or both.
How might the gut affect eczema?
The gut microbiome interacts with the immune system. Changes in the balance and activity of gut bacteria may influence:
- Immune regulation and inflammation
- Production of substances such as short-chain fatty acids, which can affect immune responses
- The integrity of the intestinal barrier
- Potentially, the skin's immune response and skin-barrier function
Studies have found differences in gut microbiome composition between some people with eczema and healthy people. However, findings aren't completely consistent, particularly in adults.
What about probiotics?
This is where things get interesting. Some newer studies suggest that certain probiotics, synbiotics, or other microbiome-targeting treatments may modestly improve eczema, but results vary substantially between studies, strains, ages, and formulations. A 2025 meta-analysis found an improvement in atopic dermatitis with microbial interventions, but also found substantial variation between studies.
Importantly, major dermatology guidelines do not currently recommend probiotics as a standard treatment for eczema because the evidence isn't consistent enough. The American Academy of Dermatology's 2026 pediatric guidelines, for example, found insufficient evidence or no benefit for probiotic supplementation as an eczema intervention.
What you can realistically do?
Rather than trying to "fix" your microbiome with supplements, the most evidence-based approach is generally to support a healthy gut through a varied, fibre-rich diet containing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, while avoiding unnecessary restrictive diets.
If you are an eczema sufferer, please make sure that you take medical advice, particularly if you are using any prescribed treatments.