Dr Phil Kieran: My son's childhood eczema is back and it's painful

Eczema often settles down to some extent with age. For your son, this means that although it hasn’t settled yet, there is a decent chance it will over the next few years

Eczema is characterised by a dry, itchy, sometimes flaky rash. It can occur on any skin but is most common in areas where the skin bends (flexures), such as the insides of the elbows and behind the knees. Picture: iStock 

My 12-year-old son suffered from asthma, ear infections, and eczema when he was younger. He has become more robust with age, but recently, eczema has flared up behind his knees, and he finds it quite painful. I got an over-the-counter cream, which helped, but the skin still looks quite inflamed. Is there anything else I can do, or should we be patient and let it heal on its own?

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a very common condition affecting approximately one in five children in Ireland. It’s more likely to be present in children with other conditions that fall under the medical umbrella of ‘atopy’. These include asthma, hay fever, and food allergies.