Atopic eczema in under 12s: diagnosis and management

Complementary therapies

The term 'complementary therapies' covers a very wide range of therapies, including homeopathy, food supplements, massage and herbal medicines. There is very little evidence about how well complementary therapies work in the treatment of atopic eczema, or how safe they are. However, it's possible that regular massage with emollients may help to improve atopic eczema.

You should tell your healthcare professional if you decide to try any complementary therapies and keep using emollients as well.

Your healthcare professional should advise you to use herbal medicines with caution, especially if they aren't labelled in English or don't come with information on how to use them safely. Some herbal medicines sold for treating eczema in children contain topical corticosteroids, and this may not be disclosed on the packaging, so you may end up using more than you need or using them on too much of your child's body. Some herbal medicines have been associated with liver damage.