Quick answer
Red, dry, intensely itchy patches that come and go? That may be eczema. It cannot be "cured" at home, but the right gentle, barrier-first care controls flare-ups. Here is what helps — and when to see a doctor.
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Shop products for sensitive skin →The short answer
Eczema care comes down to: a gentle cleanser, a thick barrier cream at least twice a day, and fewer triggers. In the bath use a small amount of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Normal To Dry & Sensitive Skin, then within 3 minutes Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Dry to Very Dry, Sensitive Skin or Cerave Moisturising Cream For Dry to Very Dry Skin. On the roughest patches at night, Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume. In winter, hot water, harsh soap and wool are the biggest triggers. But this is a medical condition: if a flare isn't settling, is weeping, or is ruining sleep, see a dermatologist, and do not buy any medicated cream from a pharmacy on your own.
What eczema is
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic, non-contagious skin condition where the barrier is weak, so skin gets dry, red, rough and very itchy — often in patches on hands, arms, behind the knees, or the face. It flares and settles. It is a medical condition, so skincare *manages* it, but a doctor treats it.
Many people's eczema gets worse in winter. The air is dry, we take long hot baths, pull wool sweaters over our skin, and run heaters indoors. Each of these strips water and oil from the skin and weakens the barrier further.
Gentle care that helps flare-ups
- Fragrance-free, gentle cleanser — never soap or foaming/stripping washes. See gentle cleansers. On the face, CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser Normal to Dry or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Normal To Dry & Sensitive Skin.
- Rich barrier moisturiser with ceramides + glycerin, applied often, especially on damp skin. See which moisturiser and barrier repair.
- Soothing ingredients — colloidal oats, panthenol, centella. For panthenol on the face, Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream.
- Lower the triggers: hot showers, harsh soaps, wool/synthetic fabrics, sweat, and known irritants.
- Sunscreen — gentle, mineral formulas suit reactive skin, such as Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF-50.
A daily winter routine: when, how much, in what order
- Morning: lukewarm water alone is often enough for the face; if it's dirty, a pea-sized amount of gentle cleanser. Pat dry with a towel.
- Cream straight away: one fingertip amount for the face, two fingertip amounts for each area of hands and arms. Smooth it on in the direction of hair growth; don't rub hard.
- Before going out: mineral sunscreen on the face and exposed hands. Give the cream 5–10 minutes to settle first.
- Midday: cream after every hand wash. Keep a small tube in your office or school bag.
- Bath: 5–10 minutes, lukewarm water. Cleanser only on underarms, groin and feet; water is enough for the rest.
- Within 3 minutes of the bath: cream all over while skin is still slightly damp. A large pump bottle is easier for the body, such as Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra-Nourishing Cream.
- Before bed: a thick layer of Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume on the roughest patches. Sleep in thin cotton.
Read the after-bath rule in detail in the 3-minute rule after a bath.
By type and age
- Eczema on the face: the fewest products. One gentle cleanser, one fragrance-free cream, and mineral sunscreen. Skip makeup during a flare.
- Eczema on the hands (homemakers, cooks, health workers): rubber gloves for dishes and laundry, with thin cotton gloves underneath. Cream after every wash. A dedicated hand cream isn't on our shelf right now; use the thick barrier cream on your hands.
- Oily face but eczema on the body: a light lotion on the face, a thick cream on the body; keeping them separate is fine.
- Older adults: itching on the legs and back rises in winter; have a family member apply cream to the back after bathing. See winter cracking and itching in older adults.
- Children: babies have their own rules; don't use adult creams on a baby, ask a paediatrician.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: a plain fragrance-free moisturiser is usually fine; ask your own doctor about any medicated cream.
What to AVOID
- No actives (retinol, AHA/BHA, strong vitamin C) on active eczema — they burn it.
- No harsh DIY — lemon, scrubs, baking soda make it far worse. See harmful remedies.
- Do not scratch — it worsens and can get infected.
- Don't buy an "itch cream" or any medicated cream from a pharmacy counter on your own. Many such creams thin the skin or hide an infection if used wrongly. Use a medicated cream only as your doctor prescribes, for as long as they say.
Common mistakes
- "I'll use less cream while it's flaring" — the opposite. Flares need more cream, 2–4 times a day.
- Dabbing on tiny amounts — too little doesn't work. Keep a large tube or tub for the body.
- Fragranced body lotion — smells nice, stings eczema skin.
- Rubbing in mustard oil and bathing in hot water — oil irritates many people's skin, and hot water weakens the barrier further.
- Long nails at night — you scratch in your sleep and open sores.
The Bangladesh reality
From November to February humidity drops in Dhaka, road dust rises, and many homes have hard borehole water, which dries skin further. Laundry often uses harsh washing powder and scented softener, a hidden eczema trigger. At home, use a fragrance-free or mild detergent and rinse clothes twice. In winter, quilts and blankets often go months unwashed; they collect dust that drives itching for many people. Air them in the sun now and then, and wash the covers that touch your skin regularly. If you run a heater, a bucket of water in the room makes the air a little less dry. And many people here walk into a pharmacy and ask straight for an "itch ointment"; instead, start gentle care first and see a doctor if it does not ease. You'll find answers to winter problems like these in our Winter FAQ Centre.
When to see a doctor
Eczema often needs prescription treatment (e.g. a medicated cream) during flares. If patches are widespread, weeping, infected, or not settling with gentle care, see a dermatologist — this guide supports care, it does not replace medical treatment. In particular, don't wait if you see:
- Patches not easing, or spreading, after 2 weeks of regular cream and gentle care.
- Yellow fluid or pus, or honey-coloured yellow crusts.
- Patches that are hot, painful and swollen, or a fever.
- Sudden clusters of small blisters or punched-out sores — this is urgent; see a doctor quickly.
- Itching that stops you sleeping or disrupts work or study.
- Eczema on the eyelids or around the eyes.
- Skin that has become thin, shiny or shows red veins after using a medicated cream on your own.
Buy verified
On eczema skin, a fake cream means the risk of unknown fragrance, wrong ingredients, even undeclared medicine mixed in. TheSkinProof is an invoice-verified skincare marketplace: every product is batch-code checked against the importer invoice. If a product is proven counterfeit you get 2× your money back; claims must be made within 7 days of delivery. Delivery across Bangladesh, cash on delivery available. Shop verified skincare or take the skin quiz.
Frequently asked questions
Does eczema get worse in winter in Bangladesh, and what helps most?
Yes, for many people. Dry air, hot baths, wool and room heaters all weaken the barrier. What helps most is short lukewarm baths, a thick fragrance-free cream such as CeraVe Moisturising Cream for Dry to Very Dry Skin within 3 minutes of bathing, cotton next to the skin, and cream again at night.
What kind of moisturizer is safe for a child's sensitive eczema-prone skin?
A fragrance-free, ceramide-based moisturizer is generally a safe starting point for a child's skin, but patch test any new product on a small area before full use. Stop use and see a doctor if redness or swelling increases.
How do I check if a barrier repair cream for eczema is genuine?
Match the batch code on the jar or tube with the one on the box, and check that the seal is unbroken before you start using it. Stop using it if it causes more stinging or itching than expected.
What are signs a barrier cream for eczema might be counterfeit?
Look for a batch code that does not match between the jar and the box, a loose or broken seal, and a texture that feels different from a genuine product. Worsening irritation after switching to a new jar is also worth questioning.