Is eczema contagious?

No. Eczema is not infectious and cannot be passed between children. The flares and scratched-looking patches can look alarming but pose no risk to other children at daycare, school or in shared sleeping arrangements.

Will my child grow out of eczema?

Many children improve significantly with age — eczema commonly becomes milder or remits altogether through later childhood and adolescence. Some children continue to have sensitive skin with occasional flares into adulthood. Severity, family atopic history (asthma, hay fever, allergies) and barrier-gene variants all influence persistence.

Are steroid creams safe?

Used correctly — the right strength for the right site, in short flare courses — topical corticosteroids are generally safe and prevent ongoing inflammation, sleep disruption and secondary infection. The risks of UNDER-treating eczema (chronic itch, infection, scarring, sleep loss, growth and behavioural impact) are usually greater than the risks of careful steroid use. For sensitive areas like the face and eyelids, we often use non-steroid options (pimecrolimus or tacrolimus).

Does diet cause eczema?

Diet does not usually cause eczema. Some children have food triggers if there is a true allergy — but unnecessary restriction often causes more harm than benefit (nutritional deficiency, family stress, and a missed focus on the routine and medications that actually work). If your child has immediate-type reactions (hives, swelling, vomiting after eating), we investigate properly rather than guessing.

Should I see an allergist?

Sometimes. Allergy testing is most useful when eczema is difficult to control despite a good routine, or when there are clear allergic symptoms (immediate reactions, anaphylaxis, severe contact reactions). Routine broad allergy testing in well-controlled eczema rarely changes management and often produces incidental positive results that lead to unhelpful food restriction.

Is moisturiser actually treatment, or just prevention?

Both. In eczema, regular moisturiser is treatment — it restores the skin barrier, reduces inflammation, reduces the need for steroid creams, and reduces flare frequency. It should be used at least twice daily and within 3 minutes of bathing (the 'soak and seal' approach), to the WHOLE body, not just the visible patches. Cosmetic body lotions are not enough — choose a thick, fragrance-free emollient labelled for eczema.

When are bleach baths used, and are they safe?

Diluted bleach baths (sodium hypochlorite at concentrations similar to a chlorinated swimming pool) are used for children with recurrent skin infections or stubborn moderate-to-severe eczema. They reduce skin bacterial load (particularly Staphylococcus aureus) and can significantly improve flare frequency. Done at the correct dilution and frequency they are safe; however the dilution must be precise and the routine should be set up with medical guidance — too strong is irritating, too weak does nothing. See our bleach baths for eczema article for the recipe and safety notes.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is required. You can book directly via the booking panel in the sidebar. Both clinics — Ivanhoe and Diamond Creek — see children with eczema. If you have a referral from your GP or paediatrician for our records we welcome it, but it is not required to book or to be seen.

Inflammatory skin — children

Childhood Eczema(Atopic Dermatitis)

Name: Childhood Eczema Treatment Melbourne — The Skin Doctor
Published: 2026-06-06

Childhood eczema (atopic dermatitis) is one of the most common skin conditions in children under 12. It is an inflammatory condition where the skin barrier is more "leaky" than usual, leading to dry, itchy, inflamed skin that often comes and goes in flares. Eczema is not contagious, and most children get excellent relief with the right daily routine and a simple, stepwise treatment plan.

By Dr Christopher Irwin, MBChB, FRACGP, MMed (Skin Cancer), FACAM, MSCCA

Last reviewed 2026-06-06 · Editorial policy

In brief

Eczema is not contagious and cannot be caught from another child.
Daily moisturising is often the single most important treatment.
Flares are normal — treating early helps stop the itch–scratch cycle.
Most children improve with age, and many improve dramatically with the right plan.
Used correctly, topical steroids are safe and prevent ongoing inflammation and infection.
Diet usually does not cause eczema — assess true allergy properly rather than restricting broadly.
Seek urgent care for spreading redness, pus, fever, or sudden painful blisters.
Bath protocols (including diluted bleach baths) help recurrently infected or stubborn eczema.
The right routine plus early flare treatment usually prevents the need for systemic medication.
Care provided across two Melbourne clinics — Ivanhoe and Diamond Creek.

Quick definition

Childhood eczema (atopic dermatitis) is an inflammatory skin condition where the skin barrier is more “leaky” than usual — skin loses moisture easily, becomes dry and irritated, and then itch and inflammation take over in a self-reinforcing cycle. It commonly starts in infancy, often runs with asthma, hay fever and food allergy (the “atopic march”), and flares come and go. Eczema is not contagious. Most children get excellent relief with daily moisturising (“soak and seal”), gentle bathing, early flare treatment with anti-inflammatory creams, and a clear plan for what to do when the routine isn’t enough. Severity and persistence vary — many children improve dramatically with the right plan, and many grow out of it. ^(1,2,6,7)

A helpful analogy: think of eczematous skin as dry mud cracking — when the surface dries, it forms tiny fissures that make the skin more sensitive and reactive, which drives the next flare. That is why daily moisturiser is treatment, not cosmetic — it patches the barrier so the inflammatory cycle does not restart. ^(2,6)

Eczema toolkit — step-by-step guides

If you want the practical how-to instructions, our companion articles cover each part of the plan in detail:

Daily eczema routine (soak and seal) — the foundation moisturising and bathing rhythm
Triggers and flare control — identifying and managing the top 2–3 triggers that matter for your child
Medications explained — steroid and non-steroid options — what your doctor prescribes, why, and how to use it safely ⁽¹⁾
Bleach baths explained — plain-English recipe and safety — diluted sodium hypochlorite for recurrently infected or stubborn eczema ^(4,7)
Wet wraps, bandages and dressings — for severe flares
Infected eczema and red flags — what to watch for and when to come in
Eczema, diet and allergy testing — the evidence-based approach to food triggers ⁽³⁾

What it looks like at different ages

Eczema can look quite different depending on age and body site — even in the same child as they grow:

Infants (0–12 months) — often starts on the cheeks and face; may spread to scalp and outer arms or legs; the nappy area is usually spared
Toddlers (1–3 years) — commonly on elbows, knees, wrists and ankles; skin may become rougher or thicker from scratching
Children (4–12 years) — often affects skin creases (inside the elbows, behind the knees), wrists, ankles, neck, and sometimes around the eyes; chronic scratching can cause thickened skin (lichenification)

Not every rash is eczema. If a patch is painful, spreading, crusting or not responding to usual care, it is worth checking — read Infected eczema and red flags for what to watch for.

The home routine that makes the biggest difference

If you only focus on a few things, make them these:

1. Moisturise daily — even when the skin looks calm

In eczema, moisturiser is treatment, not cosmetic. ^(1,2,6)

Choose a thick, fragrance-free moisturiser
Apply at least twice daily
Apply within 3 minutes after bathing (“soak and seal”)
Moisturise the whole body, not just the visible patches

See the daily eczema routine for a step-by-step.

2. Keep bathing simple and gentle

Short, warm baths or showers can help if you avoid irritating cleansers and moisturise immediately afterwards. For eczema that is difficult to control or recurrently infected, we may recommend a structured bath protocol — see bleach baths for eczema. ^(4,7)

3. Break the itch–scratch cycle early

The earlier a flare is treated, the easier it is to stop the spiral.

Keep nails short
Use cool compresses for itch spikes
Avoid overheating at night
For severe flares, wet wraps can help significantly

4. Avoid irritants first; be cautious with diet restriction

For most children, product irritation and barrier breakdown matter more than food. If there are immediate-type reactions (hives, swelling, vomiting after eating), we investigate properly rather than guessing — broad elimination diets are commonly harmful and rarely helpful. ⁽³⁾

If your child’s eczema is affecting sleep, comfort, school, sport or confidence — or if you are feeling stuck despite a consistent routine — book an appointment via the booking panel in the sidebar. Clinics at Ivanhoe and Diamond Creek.

Symptoms

Dry, itchy, inflamed skin that comes and goes in flares
Infants (0–12 months) — often starts on the cheeks and face; may spread to scalp and outer arms or legs; nappy area is usually spared
Toddlers (1–3 years) — commonly on elbows, knees, wrists and ankles; skin may become rougher or thicker from scratching
Children (4–12 years) — often affects skin creases (inside the elbows, behind the knees), wrists, ankles, neck and sometimes around the eyes
Lichenification — thickening of the skin from chronic scratching
Sleep disruption from night-time itch
Pigment change (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation), particularly in melanin-rich skin
Secondary infection signs — yellow crusting, pus, spreading weeping patches (urgent review needed)

Causes & contributors

Genetic predisposition and impaired skin barrier function
Atopic immune background — eczema, asthma and hay fever often run together in families
Dry air, indoor heating, especially in winter
Heat and sweat — often worsen itch
Soaps, bubble baths, fragrances and harsh detergents
Rough fabrics (wool), friction, tight clothing
Illness, stress and secondary infection
Environmental allergens (dust mites, pollens, pets) in some children

Diagnosis

Childhood eczema is diagnosed clinically. Not every rash is eczema — if a patch is painful, spreading, crusting or not responding to usual care, doctor review is important to check for infection or an alternative diagnosis. The pattern often varies with age (face and cheeks in infants; flexures and creases in older children).

Treatment options

Daily moisturising (the foundation)

A thick, fragrance-free moisturiser applied at least twice daily, and within three minutes of bathing ("soak and seal"). Apply to the whole body — not just visible patches. This is treatment, not cosmetic.

Gentle bathing routine

Short, warm baths or showers with non-irritating cleansers only where needed, followed by immediate moisturising. For recurrently infected or difficult eczema, structured bath protocols including bleach baths may be recommended.

Early flare treatment

Treating early at the first itch or redness helps stop the itch–scratch cycle escalating. Keep nails short, use cool compresses for itch spikes and avoid overheating at night.

Anti-inflammatory creams

Topical corticosteroids in the correct strength for site and age, used in short flare courses. Used correctly, they are generally safe and prevent ongoing inflammation, sleep disruption and infection.

Steroid-sparing creams

Pimecrolimus or tacrolimus for sensitive areas such as the face, eyelids and folds, where repeated steroid use is best avoided.

Wet wraps and dressings

For severe flares, supervised wet wraps can significantly improve comfort and speed recovery by enhancing moisturiser and medication absorption.

Infection management

Treatment of bacterial superinfection (impetigo) and urgent assessment for eczema herpeticum (HSV complication) when painful blisters develop suddenly.

Allergy assessment (selected)

For children with eczema that is difficult to control or with clear allergic symptoms (immediate reactions to foods, hives, swelling), structured assessment is far more useful than broad food restriction.

When to see a doctor

Seek urgent review if you notice rapidly worsening redness, warmth, swelling or pain; yellow crusting, pus or spreading weeping patches; fever or your child appearing unwell; painful blisters or eczema suddenly becoming very painful; or eczema around the eyes with swelling or severe irritation. Book a regular consultation if eczema is affecting sleep, school, sport or confidence, or if you're feeling stuck despite a consistent routine.

Frequently asked questions

Is eczema contagious?

No. Eczema is not infectious and cannot be passed between children. The flares and scratched-looking patches can look alarming but pose no risk to other children at daycare, school or in shared sleeping arrangements.
Will my child grow out of eczema?

Many children improve significantly with age — eczema commonly becomes milder or remits altogether through later childhood and adolescence. Some children continue to have sensitive skin with occasional flares into adulthood. Severity, family atopic history (asthma, hay fever, allergies) and barrier-gene variants all influence persistence.
Are steroid creams safe?

Used correctly — the right strength for the right site, in short flare courses — topical corticosteroids are generally safe and prevent ongoing inflammation, sleep disruption and secondary infection. The risks of UNDER-treating eczema (chronic itch, infection, scarring, sleep loss, growth and behavioural impact) are usually greater than the risks of careful steroid use. For sensitive areas like the face and eyelids, we often use non-steroid options (pimecrolimus or tacrolimus).
Does diet cause eczema?

Diet does not usually cause eczema. Some children have food triggers if there is a true allergy — but unnecessary restriction often causes more harm than benefit (nutritional deficiency, family stress, and a missed focus on the routine and medications that actually work). If your child has immediate-type reactions (hives, swelling, vomiting after eating), we investigate properly rather than guessing.
Should I see an allergist?

Sometimes. Allergy testing is most useful when eczema is difficult to control despite a good routine, or when there are clear allergic symptoms (immediate reactions, anaphylaxis, severe contact reactions). Routine broad allergy testing in well-controlled eczema rarely changes management and often produces incidental positive results that lead to unhelpful food restriction.
Is moisturiser actually treatment, or just prevention?

Both. In eczema, regular moisturiser is treatment — it restores the skin barrier, reduces inflammation, reduces the need for steroid creams, and reduces flare frequency. It should be used at least twice daily and within 3 minutes of bathing (the 'soak and seal' approach), to the WHOLE body, not just the visible patches. Cosmetic body lotions are not enough — choose a thick, fragrance-free emollient labelled for eczema.
When are bleach baths used, and are they safe?

Diluted bleach baths (sodium hypochlorite at concentrations similar to a chlorinated swimming pool) are used for children with recurrent skin infections or stubborn moderate-to-severe eczema. They reduce skin bacterial load (particularly Staphylococcus aureus) and can significantly improve flare frequency. Done at the correct dilution and frequency they are safe; however the dilution must be precise and the routine should be set up with medical guidance — too strong is irritating, too weak does nothing. See our bleach baths for eczema article for the recipe and safety notes.
Do I need a referral?

No referral is required. You can book directly via the booking panel in the sidebar. Both clinics — Ivanhoe and Diamond Creek — see children with eczema. If you have a referral from your GP or paediatrician for our records we welcome it, but it is not required to book or to be seen.

References

Related conditions

Medically reviewed by Dr Christopher Irwin, MBChB, FRACGP, MMed (Skin Cancer), FACAM, MSCCA · Last reviewed 2026-06-06 · Editorial policy