What should you know about O'Keeffe eczema?

Eczema commonly causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin and can flare when the barrier loses moisture or is exposed to irritants. A cream marketed for eczema may soften rough skin, reduce water loss, or seal in moisture, but it does not establish the diagnosis or treat every flare. Check whether the product contains fragrance, exfoliating ingredients, or other components that sting your skin.

Atopic dermatitis can affect the face, hands, folds, or other areas, and scratching may lead to thickening, cracks, crusting, or darker marks after inflammation. Symptoms can overlap with contact dermatitis, infection, and other conditions.

Patch-test a new product on a small area when practical, then apply a plain moisturiser to damp skin after washing. Use lukewarm water, fragrance-free cleansers, and soft fabrics; keep nails short to reduce damage from scratching. If a product burns, causes a new rash, or worsens itching, stop it and seek advice.

For repeated flares, a dermatologist can match anti-inflammatory treatment to the body site and severity. Do not use a strong steroid or another prescription treatment on the face or around the eyes without instructions.

Seek prompt care for rapidly worsening redness, warmth, pain, pus, honey-coloured crusting, fever, or painful blisters, which can indicate infection or another condition. Arrange review when itching disrupts sleep, cracks bleed repeatedly, the rash involves the eyes, or moisturising alone is not controlling flares.

Does this look like atopic dermatitis or contact irritation? Which ingredients should I avoid? What treatment is suitable for this body site? How should I manage night-time itching and cracked or crusted skin?