Itching is the over-riding symptom for anyone with eczema. It leads to damaged skin through repeated scratching, considerable discomfort and often disturbed sleep. The itch-scratch cycle is where itching leads to scratching that provides temporary relief but causes the release of inflammatory mediators in the skin, which in turn leads to more itching and more scratching – and so on.

In addition to non-tickly clothing, humidified atmospheres and cool bedrooms, other things that can help include:

• Treatment with TCS (itching is often the first sign of a flare-up)
• Use of emollients that contain lauromacrogols (these have some anti-itch actions)
• Short-term use of a sedating antihistamine (to enable restful sleep).

Patient support groups

One of the most helpful things pharmacists can do for people with eczema is to signpost them to the various patient support groups in this field, in particular the National Eczema Society (eczema.org). In addition to running a helpline, producing a journal and providing information to patients and healthcare professionals, the NES also has local groups that can provide additional support.