How often does eczema flare up?

Can eczema stay active between flares?

Atopic dermatitis, the common type of eczema, can alternate between quieter periods and sudden worsening. Some people have occasional dry, scaly patches; others have symptoms continuously for prolonged periods. A flare can also happen on top of ongoing eczema, so skin does not have to become completely clear between episodes. Other eczema types have different patterns, including dyshidrotic eczema, which causes itchy blisters and can flare seasonally or after particular exposures.134

What counts as a flare?

A flare generally means symptoms have worsened compared with your usual baseline. There is no single agreed definition. Increased itch, a new eruption, or more inflamed skin can be part of it, but the effects are not limited to appearance. Interrupted sleep, disrupted daily activities and needing more attention to manage eczema also matter. When discussing frequency with your doctor, describe those changes as well as how often the rash appears.15

Why do flares keep coming back?

Repeated exposure to an irritant can keep aggravating eczema. Soap, detergents, perfumes, coarse clothing, temperature extremes and low humidity can contribute. Frequent washing with very hot water can make skin drier and harder to manage. Irritation is not necessarily an allergy, and flares can also occur without an obvious trigger. An unexplained episode does not automatically mean you have missed a particular product or exposure.16

With dyshidrotic eczema, some people flare only during spring and summer, while others react to cold or very humid weather. Stress can trigger episodes without causing the disease itself. Someone sensitive to a soap ingredient could flare each time they use that soap. Avoiding a relevant trigger can prevent further episodes, but identifying the trigger can be difficult.3

How long does a flare last?

Flare length varies from person to person, just as frequency does. There is no universal number of days to expect. In children, keeping eczema controlled can reduce both how severe flares become and how long they last. Eczema often improves as children grow, but clear skin in childhood does not rule out a return later. Adult exposures at work or during domestic duties can aggravate eczema again.247

How can you reduce future flares?

Emollients are moisturisers that help skin retain water, a job description with considerably less theatre than most skincare advertising. Use them frequently and continue when symptoms are quiet. Soap substitutes and moisturisers have practical roles in the routine, without needing an audition for the title of miracle product.16

For everyday washing:

1. 1Take a brief bath or shower using a non soap cleanser, unless your doctor has advised a different bathing routine.
2. 2Pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it.
3. 3Apply moisturiser immediately after bathing.

Follow your prescribed treatment plan rather than treating every recurrence as a new problem. For children with frequent flares, a dermatologist can recommend preventive medicine on areas that repeatedly flare, even between episodes. This is a clinician directed plan, not a reason to change prescription frequency yourself.2

When should you ask for a treatment review?

Ask for a review when flares are frequent, disrupt sleep or daily life, or do not settle with treatment. Infection can worsen eczema and make usual treatment less effective. Eczema that becomes resistant to treatment also warrants reassessment; a dermatologist can consider patch testing to investigate contact allergy.2467