"Don't wait - hydrate. Eczema skin is thirsty skin. Quench the thirst, be wise & moisturise."

Eczema experts are encouraging people suffering from eczema this week (Eczema Awareness Week) to use moisturisers as part of their daily skin treatment regimen to help soothe, hydrate and protect the skin barrier from breakdown.

Moisturisers play a pivotal role in any management/treatment plan for all dry skin conditions, particularly eczema. In fact, good eczema management is impossible without regular use of a moisturiser. For mild eczema and many cases of moderate eczema, moisturisers combined with good, general skin care measures can be used to successfully treat the condition. Even when prescription medicine is required to treat the affected area, moisturisers should be used regularly and as early as possible, to obtain maximum benefit.

More than 1.5 million Australians suffer from different degrees of eczema and approximately 30 per cent of the population will suffer from dry skin at some stage during their lives. Because eczema skin is dry skin, it has a defective barrier function. It is therefore unable to retain moisture and block irritants and allergens such as dust, grass and wool fibres. This results in eczema patches which can be red, crusty, scaly, flaky, weepy and itchy. Moisturisers help to maintain and repair the skin barrier and can be used at the first sign of symptoms to help control eczema.

For more information about moisturisers or to participate in the Eczema Association of Australasia Inc Moisturiser Survey, please click here or contact the Association on 1300 300 182 or via www.eczema.org.au