Skin

Medicines for Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

A common, long-term condition that makes skin dry, itchy and inflamed in flare-ups — managed with regular moisturisers, treatments for flares, and avoiding triggers.

Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

Quick answer

What is Eczema (atopic dermatitis)?

Atopic eczema is a chronic, relapsing condition in which the skin barrier does not hold moisture well and overreacts to irritants and allergens, becoming dry, itchy, red and inflamed. It often appears in childhood, frequently improving with age, but can continue into or begin in adulthood.

  • How it is treated: Management has two strands that run together: keeping the skin barrier healthy day to day, and calming flares when they happen.
  • Self-care: Using emollients liberally and often, choosing soap substitutes and avoiding fragranced or harsh products, keeping nails short to limit scratching damage, wearing soft fabrics such as cotton, and identifying and avoiding personal triggers (such as certain soaps, heat or known allergens) all reduce flares.
  • When to seek help: See your GP or pharmacist if eczema is not controlled with moisturisers and over-the-counter treatment, or is affecting sleep or daily life.

What it is

Atopic eczema is a chronic, relapsing condition in which the skin barrier does not hold moisture well and overreacts to irritants and allergens, becoming dry, itchy, red and inflamed. It often appears in childhood, frequently improving with age, but can continue into or begin in adulthood. It tends to follow a pattern of flare-ups against a background of dry skin, and the itch can disturb sleep and daily life. Eczema is part of the "atopic" group of conditions and commonly occurs alongside asthma and hay fever, sometimes running in families. Scratching damages the skin further and can lead to thickened areas and infection, so breaking the itch-scratch cycle is central to control.

How it is treated

Management has two strands that run together: keeping the skin barrier healthy day to day, and calming flares when they happen. The cornerstone is the regular and generous use of emollients (moisturisers), applied frequently and continued even when the skin looks clear, including as soap substitutes. When the skin flares, a topical corticosteroid is used for short bursts, with the strength matched to the severity of the eczema and to the body site — gentler preparations for delicate areas such as the face and stronger ones for thicker skin, applied in measured amounts using the fingertip-unit principle. Where steroids are best avoided or a steroid-sparing option is wanted, such as on the face, a topical calcineurin inhibitor may be used. If the skin becomes infected, antibiotics may be needed for that episode. For severe eczema that is not controlled by these measures, specialists can offer injectable biologic treatments. Identifying and reducing personal triggers underpins all of this.

For this condition, these medicines

Medicine classes used for Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.

Emollients Dermatology The cornerstone of treatment; moisturisers used regularly, even when the skin is clear, to protect the skin barrier. Topical corticosteroids Dermatology Treat flares; strength is matched to how severe the eczema is and to the body site. Calcineurin inhibitors Rheumatology Topical steroid-sparing option, useful for delicate areas such as the face. Topical antibiotics Dermatology Used only when the skin is infected, for that episode. Interleukin-targeting biologics Dermatology Injectable treatment for severe eczema not controlled by other measures.

Symptom checker

Symptoms that can point to Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:

RashA change in the colour, texture or appearance of the skin — itchy or not, raised or flat, …ItchingItching, known medically as pruritus, is most often caused by dry or irritated skin condit…Itchy bottomAn irritating itch around the back passage — often worse at night — that is usually caused…Itchy scalpAn itchy, sometimes flaky or sore scalp — most often from common, treatable conditions suc…Discharge from the earFluid running from the ear — which may be wax, watery, pus-like or bloodstained — most oft…Itchy earsAn irritating itch in or around the ears — most often caused by dry or eczema-prone skin, …Blisters on the skinRaised, fluid-filled bumps on the skin that can follow friction or burns, but also arise f…Spreading circular rashA round or ring-shaped patch on the skin that spreads outwards, which most often comes fro…Dry, flaky skinSkin that feels rough, tight, flaky or scaly because it is short of moisture — usually dow…Sore, cracked lips and mouth cornersDry, sore, cracked or split lips, often with painful cracks at the corners of the mouth — …

By active ingredient

Specific medicines used for Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

Dose-free guides to individual active ingredients used in eczema (atopic dermatitis) — what each is, how it works, how to take it, and its advantages and disadvantages:

Hydrocortisone (skin cream)A mild steroid cream used in short bursts to calm the redness and itch of eczema, insect b…BetamethasoneA potent topical steroid cream or ointment used for inflamed skin conditions such as eczem…ClobetasolA very potent topical steroid used for short courses on stubborn inflamed skin.…ClobetasoneA moderately potent steroid cream for eczema flares; used as a thin layer in short courses…FluocinoloneA potent steroid cream or ointment used in short courses to calm inflamed, itchy skin cond…AlclometasoneA moderately potent steroid cream and ointment used in short courses to calm flares of ecz…PimecrolimusA non-steroid cream for eczema, used especially on the face and skin folds when steroids a…Tacrolimus (skin ointment)A non-steroid ointment for moderate to severe eczema, used when steroids are unsuitable, i…DupilumabAn injected biologic that blocks the IL-4 and IL-13 allergic signals, used for moderate to…AbrocitinibAn oral tablet used for moderate to severe atopic eczema that works by calming an overacti…BaricitinibAn oral tablet used for rheumatoid arthritis, eczema and severe hair loss that works by ca…CrisaboroleA non-steroid ointment used to treat mild-to-moderate eczema (atopic dermatitis).…LebrikizumabAn under-the-skin injection used to treat moderate to severe eczema by blocking a key immu…NemolizumabA specialist antibody injection used to relieve severe itch in atopic eczema and prurigo n…TapinarofA steroid-free cream applied to the skin to treat plaque psoriasis and eczema.…TralokinumabA regular injection used to treat moderate to severe eczema by blocking an immune signal t…MethylprednisoloneA steroid medicine used to reduce inflammation and calm the immune system, given as tablet…DesonideA mild steroid cream or ointment used to calm inflamed, itchy skin in conditions like ecze…DesoximetasoneA strong steroid cream or ointment used for stubborn, inflamed skin conditions.…FluocinonideA potent steroid cream or ointment used to calm inflamed, itchy skin conditions such as fl…FlurandrenolideA steroid cream, ointment and medicated tape used to calm inflamed, itchy skin conditions.…HalcinonideA potent steroid cream and ointment used to calm stubborn, inflamed skin conditions.…DiflucortoloneA potent steroid cream or ointment used to calm inflamed, itchy skin conditions such as ec…

Beyond medication

Lifestyle and self-care

Using emollients liberally and often, choosing soap substitutes and avoiding fragranced or harsh products, keeping nails short to limit scratching damage, wearing soft fabrics such as cotton, and identifying and avoiding personal triggers (such as certain soaps, heat or known allergens) all reduce flares.

When to get help

When to see a doctor

See your GP or pharmacist if eczema is not controlled with moisturisers and over-the-counter treatment, or is affecting sleep or daily life. Seek prompt review if the skin becomes weeping, crusted, rapidly worse, or develops painful spreading redness, fever or fluid-filled blisters, which can indicate infection.

999Emergency — call 999 or go to A&E
111Urgent advice — call NHS 111 or use 111 online
GPNon-urgent — see your GP or pharmacist

Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.

Answers

Eczema (atopic dermatitis): frequently asked questions

What medicines are used for eczema?

Emollients (moisturisers) are the foundation and are used regularly, even when the skin is clear. Flares are treated with topical corticosteroids matched in strength to severity and body site, with topical calcineurin inhibitors as a steroid-sparing option for areas like the face. Antibiotics are added only if the skin is infected, and injectable biologics are reserved for severe, uncontrolled eczema.

Are steroid creams safe to use?

Used correctly, topical corticosteroids are safe and effective. The key is to match the strength to the severity and the body site, use gentler preparations on delicate areas such as the face, apply measured amounts using the fingertip-unit principle, and use them in short bursts for flares rather than continuously. Your prescriber or pharmacist can show you how.

Why do I still need moisturiser when my skin looks fine?

Eczema-prone skin has a weakened barrier even between flares, so regular moisturising keeps it protected and helps prevent the next flare. Stopping emollients when the skin is clear is a common reason eczema returns; they are meant to be a daily routine, not just a flare treatment.

How do I know if my eczema is infected?

Signs of infection include weeping or crusting (often golden-coloured), the skin becoming rapidly worse, increasing pain or spreading redness, fever, or clusters of fluid-filled blisters. Infected eczema needs prompt medical review, as it may require antibiotics or, in some cases, antiviral treatment.

Keep reading

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Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NICE CG57: Atopic eczema in under 12s: diagnosis and management.
  • NICE CKS: Atopic eczema.

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