My eczema is such a pain

How do I get rid of my eczema?

Freya , 15

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Dear Freya

Roll on summer. Millions of us with eczema are counting the days, just like you. One in three of us gets eczema and most people's conditions get better improve as the weather does. Central heating, prickly jumpers and no sunlight. It's enough to make anyone itch.

What your skin needs most is moisture. Imagine your skin is like a brick wall. It's so dry that the cement is crumbling. The wall is less of a barrier. So things that your skin normally keeps out can irritate your body. Making your skin red and itchy.

Here's your 14 day plan:

1) Visit your GP for a check up. Make sure your eczema isn't infected and get a prescription for big tubs of cream.

2) Bath every day. Don't add soap or bubbles.

3) Turn your heating down. Sleep in cotton sheets. Avoid nylon or woolly tights.

4) Moisturise as often as you can, using the cream from your GP. These may not smell fabulous, but they work. You should get through a 500g tub every couple of weeks.

5) If your GP has prescribed other eczema treatments (like steroid creams), follow the instructions carefully.

6) Don't scratch. That may sound harder than resisting a cupcake when you're hungry. But the less we scratch, the less we itch. It's a cycle to break. Cotton gloves at night help.

7) Stick with it. I can't promise you a cure. Eczema has a habit of coming back. But your legs and arms will thank you for all this.

8) If no joy after two weeks, go back to the start. And back to your GP. It's time for a rethink. And some different creams. Good luck.