Can Eczema be Prevented?

Although Eczema cannot be prevented totally, you can try different approaches to minimise symptoms.

One of the major things you can do to reduce flare-ups of eczema is to identify potential triggers. Use our Eczema Support Diary to find out what makes your eczema worse.

Apart from this approach, as mentioned, the tendency to develop eczema is usually in-born and linked within families. One approach that has been shown to be of value is prolonged breast-feeding of babies (at least six months). Some studies indicate that babies who are breast-fed for a prolonged time are less likely to develop eczema than those who do not have prolonged breast-feeding. If possible, it may be worth considering this extra benefit of breast-feeding, particularly in families where there is a history of eczema.

For more tips on trying to minimise eczema symptoms, see the website of the National Eczema Society.