Childhood eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that affects millions of children worldwide. The condition is characterised by dry, itchy, and inflamed patches of skin that can appear anywhere on the body. While the physical symptoms of eczema are often the focus of treatment, the condition can also have
a significant impact on a child’s emotional wellbeing. Added to this, the strain that it can put on families in terms of loss of sleep, time off work, financial and time of managing a chronic condition, and sibling jealousy of attention given to the child with eczema can mean that the stresses of eczema are shared by the whole family, not just the affected child. This article examines these issues further with recommendations for how the emotional impact of eczema may be more effectively managed.