Eczema Guide: Types, Triggers, Treatment and Natural Care
Eczema (dermatitis) is a long-term condition where the skin barrier is weak, so skin becomes dry, itchy, red and easily irritated. It usually comes and goes in flares. This guide gathers every article we have written on eczema, from working out which type you have to choosing a cream and caring for your skin every day.
By Ava Huang Jia Yi, Herbal Science Researcher · Updated
Quick facts
- Atopic dermatitis is the most common type, but hand eczema, nummular eczema, pompholyx and contact dermatitis need slightly different care.
- Daily moisturising is the foundation of every eczema plan; it reduces flares and the amount of steroid cream needed.
- Short courses of steroid cream are safe when used as directed. Steroid-free creams suit daily care, the face and thin skin.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) describes eczema as wind, dampness and heat, and uses herbs such as Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi on the skin.
- See a doctor if eczema weeps, crusts, hurts, spreads fast or keeps you awake most nights.
Start here
- Step 1Types of eczemaThe 7 main types, what triggers each and how to tell them apart.
- Step 2Eczema in Chinese medicine: which type are you?Wind, damp and heat patterns explained with a simple type chart and the herbs used for each.
- Step 3Eczema vs psoriasisSide-by-side signs, typical locations and why the treatments differ.
Types of eczema and where it appears
Each type has its own triggers and pattern. Find yours.
- Hand eczemaWhy hands crack and itch, the main types and a routine that helps them heal.
- Nummular (discoid) eczemaCoin-shaped itchy patches: causes, treatment and how to stop them coming back.
- Pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema)Tiny itchy blisters on the hands and feet: triggers and care.
- Contact dermatitisRashes from things that touch the skin, common culprits and how to calm them.
- Neurodermatitis (lichen simplex chronicus)Thick, leathery itchy patches and how to break the itch-scratch cycle.
- Scalp itch and seborrheic dermatitisFlaky, itchy scalp and face: causes, shampoos and gentle care.
- Baby eczema vs diaper rashHow to tell them apart and soothe a baby's skin safely.
- Perioral dermatitis treatment at homeWhat actually works for the rash around the mouth, step by step.
Triggers and daily care
What makes eczema flare and the habits that keep it calm.
- Eczema in winterWhy cold weather triggers flares and a simple soak-and-seal plan.
- Why skin itches at night8 causes of night-time itch and how to sleep through it.
- Tea tree oil for eczemaDoes it help or make eczema worse?
- Aloe vera for eczemaWhat the evidence says and how to use it.
Choosing a cream
Moisturisers, steroid creams and steroid-free options compared honestly.
- Best creams for itchy skin (2026)How to pick an anti-itch cream by cause and active ingredient.
- QICAOGANGMU vs hydrocortisone, Eucerin and AquaphorWhat each cream does and which one fits your skin.
- Best natural cream for eczemaHow to choose a steroid-free cream and which ingredients have evidence.
- Natural alternatives to hydrocortisoneWhat can replace hydrocortisone for everyday itchy rashes.
- Natural alternatives to steroid creamSteroid-free options for eczema and psoriasis, from moisturisers to prescription non-steroids.
- Chinese eczema creamHow to choose a safe, steroid-free herbal cream.
- Hidden steroids, fakes and qualityHow to check any Chinese herbal cream before you buy it.
Steroid creams: using them and coming off them
How to taper safely and what topical steroid withdrawal looks like.
- How to stop using steroid creamA step-by-step plan to taper safely and switch to steroid-free care.
- Topical steroid withdrawal (TSW)Symptoms, how long it lasts and how to cope.
Chinese medicine and herbs for eczema
The TCM view of eczema and the research on the herbs it uses.
- Best herbs for itchy skinThe herbs TCM uses for itch and rashes, with the research behind them.
- She Chuang Zi (Cnidium fruit)The anti-itch herb in QICAOGANGMU: benefits, research and safety.
- Ku Shen (Sophora flavescens)The bitter root used for red, inflamed skin: research and safety.
- Bai Bu (Stemona root)Traditional use, research and safety notes.
Tools and evidence
Free resources and the facts behind our cream.
- Free 7-Day Itch Relief PlanA one-step-a-day PDF plan with an itch diary.
- QICAOGANGMU reviews 2026An honest analysis of about 300 Amazon reviews, including the negatives.
- Steroid test reportsIndependent TÜV SÜD PSB laboratory reports.
- Is QICAOGANGMU steroid-free?The lab test, the method and why it matters.
Looking for a steroid-free cream? QICAOGANGMU combines She Chuang Zi 3%, Bing Pian (borneol) 2%, Ku Shen 1.5%, Bai Bu 0.5% and menthol 0.5%, and an independent lab (TÜV SÜD PSB) found none of 8 tested corticosteroids. Many people use it on itchy eczema patches alongside their moisturiser. See the 5-tube pack or read what reviewers say.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to calm an eczema flare?
Cool the skin, stop scratching, apply a thick moisturiser and use the treatment your doctor recommends. A short course of a mild steroid cream is often the quickest way to settle a bad flare; steroid-free creams then help with daily care.
Can eczema be cured?
There is no permanent cure for atopic eczema, but most people can keep it well controlled. Many children grow out of it, and good daily skin care makes flares smaller and less frequent.
Is a steroid-free cream enough for eczema?
For mild eczema and daily maintenance, a good moisturiser plus a steroid-free cream is often enough. Moderate to severe flares usually need a doctor's treatment.
Which type of eczema do I have?
Start with our types of eczema guide. Where it appears, what it looks like and what triggers it usually point to the type. A doctor can confirm it.
More guides
Psoriasis guideItchy skin guidePerioral and face rash guideSkin conditions A to ZQICAOGANGMU at a glance
These guides are educational and do not replace medical advice. See a doctor for a rash that is severe, spreading, painful, infected or not improving after 2 weeks.
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