Eczema at a glance
Eczema (often called atopic dermatitis) is a long-term inflammatory skin condition. It typically causes dry, itchy, red patches that can crack, ooze and become infected, especially if scratching breaks the skin barrier.
Many people notice patterns. Skin may flare in winter, with stress, after swimming, or when exposed to particular soaps, fabrics or allergens. In some families, eczema sits alongside asthma and hay fever as part of an “atopic” tendency.
At my Hervey Bay clinic, I see children, teenagers and adults who want extra support for their skin, sleep and stress while they continue working with their GP or dermatologist.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a chronic skin condition where the outer layer of the skin (the barrier) does not hold moisture as well as it should and becomes more reactive to irritants and allergens. The result is dryness, itching, redness and sometimes weeping or crusting patches.
Common features can include:
- Dry, scaly or thickened skin
- Intense itch, often worse at night
- Red or darker inflamed patches, depending on skin tone
- Cracks, weeping or crusting when the barrier breaks
- Infections in areas that are scratched a lot
Eczema often starts in childhood, but some people first develop it as adults. It may appear on the face, behind the knees, inside the elbows, on the neck, hands, eyelids or other flexor areas.
The exact cause is complex and may involve genetics, the immune system, skin-barrier changes and environmental triggers. For many people it comes and goes over time, with flare-ups followed by quieter periods.
Australian statistics
Eczema is common in Australia. Large surveys and research projects show that:
- Around 15–20% of Australian children live with eczema at some point, and many show symptoms in the first year of life.
- About 30% of Australian children have eczema in some studies, making it one of the most frequent chronic conditions in childhood.
- Up to 10% of adults continue to experience eczema, sometimes with hand eczema linked to work or ongoing atopic tendencies.
- Recent Australian research estimates that more than 15% of the population may be affected by atopic dermatitis, with significant costs related to medical care, time off work, and reduced quality of life.
These numbers help explain why so many families spend time managing moisturisers, prescriptions, triggers and bedtime routines, and why extra support around sleep, stress and daily coping can be helpful.
Impact on daily life
Eczema affects far more than the skin. People often tell me about:
- Broken sleep from night-time itch and scratching
- Distress when children wake itchy, sore or bleeding
- Self-consciousness about visible rashes or thickened skin
- Time spent applying creams, bandages and doing laundry
- Costs of moisturisers, prescriptions and specialist visits
- Feeling on edge, waiting for the next flare
For children, eczema can affect concentration at school, play, sport and social confidence. For adults, it can influence work, relationships, intimacy and participation in outdoor activities.
On top of the physical discomfort, ongoing itch and sleep loss can feed into stress, irritability and low mood – which then become part of the pattern that needs care.
Modern medicine overview
Medical care for eczema aims to reduce itch and inflammation, repair the skin barrier and prevent infections. Common approaches include:
- Regular use of thick, fragrance-free moisturisers (emollients)
- Short courses of topical corticosteroid creams or ointments during flares
- Non-steroid topical medicines such as calcineurin inhibitors in some cases
- Antihistamines for itch in selected situations
- Antibiotics or antiviral medicines if infection develops
- Phototherapy or systemic medicines (tablets or injections) such as biologic drugs for moderate to severe cases under specialist care
GPs and dermatologists also help identify triggers, manage infections and organise specialist referral when needed. They may discuss allergy assessment for children with severe eczema or clear food-related reactions.
It is important to follow the treatment plan you agree on with your doctor and to discuss any concerns about creams or medicines with them. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine do not replace medical treatment for eczema, but some people choose to explore them as added support.
How acupuncture may help
Many people come to acupuncture when they want help with the symptoms and stress that sit around eczema. In my clinic, acupuncture is commonly used to support:
- Relaxation and stress management, which can influence itch–scratch cycles
- Sleep quality, especially when discomfort makes it hard to settle
- A general sense of wellbeing and resilience
From a modern perspective, research suggests acupuncture may influence nervous-system regulation, stress hormones, local blood flow and inflammatory signalling. Studies in people with atopic dermatitis have explored changes in itch scores, eczema severity measures and quality-of-life questionnaires after courses of acupuncture, with some reporting improvements in certain groups and others showing more modest or mixed results.
In practice, I use acupuncture as a gentle, whole-person approach that sits alongside your existing care. Sessions are tailored to each person’s pattern, comfort level and goals. You can read more about how I work on my Acupuncture Hervey Bay page.
Traditional Chinese medicine view
In Chinese medicine, eczema is usually seen as a pattern of internal imbalance that shows itself through the skin. Rather than one single cause, several patterns can combine, including:
- Wind and Damp-Heat in the skin: itch, redness, oozing and sudden flare-ups that move around the body.
- Blood Heat: more intense redness, heat and restlessness, often in younger people.
- Blood Dryness: long-standing dryness, thickening, cracking and stubborn itch.
- Spleen Qi deficiency with Damp: a tendency to fluid retention, digestive issues and weeping lesions.
- Underlying Kidney or Lung patterns: links with asthma, allergies or long-term skin sensitivity.
When I assess someone with eczema, I look at the whole picture – skin symptoms, digestion, energy, sleep, stress, bowel habits, menstrual patterns (for women), and any history of asthma or hay fever. Tongue and pulse observations help clarify which patterns may be active.
Treatment may draw on acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and diet therapy, all guided by the underlying pattern rather than the diagnosis alone. You can read more about this framework on my Chinese Medicine Hervey Bay page and my Herbal Medicine Hervey Bay page.
Research summary
Clinical research into acupuncture for atopic dermatitis has grown over the past decade, though it is still emerging and not yet definitive.
- A 2019 meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials found that acupuncture, compared with some conventional treatments or control procedures, was associated with greater improvements in certain eczema severity scores in the studied groups. At the same time, the authors called for more rigorous research and careful interpretation of the results.
- A 2024 systematic review published in an open-access medical journal concluded that acupuncture shows promise as a supportive option for atopic dermatitis but highlighted variability between studies and the need for larger, high-quality trials.
- Individual trials have looked at manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture and combined approaches (such as acupuncture with osteopathic care or Chinese herbal formulas). Some reported reductions in itch, better sleep and changes in standard severity scores for a proportion of participants, while others found smaller or less consistent effects.
Overall, the research suggests that acupuncture may have a role as part of a broader management plan for some people, but it does not replace medical treatment. If you are considering acupuncture and already see a dermatologist or GP, I encourage you to let them know and to keep them informed about all parts of your care.
What a session looks like
At your first appointment we spend time talking through:
- Your eczema history – when it started, how it has changed and what flares it
- Areas of the body involved and how severe symptoms feel day to day
- Sleep, energy, digestion, bowel habits and stress levels
- Any other conditions such as asthma, hay fever or food allergies
- Current creams, medications and specialist care
I then carry out a Chinese medicine assessment, including tongue and pulse observations, and discuss a treatment plan with you. If acupuncture seems suitable, I use very fine, single-use sterile needles placed at points chosen for your presentation. Needling is usually gentle, and many people feel quite relaxed during the session.
In some cases, I may also suggest Chinese herbal medicine, topical soaks, diet changes or simple acupressure techniques you can use at home. We review how you are going every few sessions and adjust the plan as needed.
Acupuncture and related approaches are usually scheduled alongside your usual GP or dermatology visits, not instead of them.
Other supportive approaches
Depending on your pattern and goals, your plan may include:
- Chinese herbal medicine: plant-based formulas selected to match your pattern, usually taken as granules or tablets. These are prescribed with attention to safety, digestion and any other medicines you use.
- Diet therapy: using Chinese medicine diet principles to support healthy digestion and reduce internal “dampness” or “heat”, for example by focusing on warm, cooked foods and steady meal patterns.
- Topical soaks or baths: some people use Epsom salt baths or other gentle soaks to support comfort for sore muscles and irritated skin, taking care to avoid very hot water and strong fragrances.
- Stress and sleep support: simple breathing practices, relaxation routines and bedtime habits to reduce the impact of itch on sleep.
Any herbal or topical additions should be discussed with your GP or dermatologist, especially if you use prescription creams, have very sensitive skin or have a history of skin infections.
Self-care and lifestyle tips
Everyone with eczema is different, but many people find benefit in simple daily habits such as:
- Using a thick, fragrance-free moisturiser at least once or twice a day, and within a few minutes after bathing
- Keeping showers short and lukewarm rather than hot
- Choosing gentle, soap-free cleansers and avoiding highly perfumed products
- Wearing soft, breathable fabrics and avoiding scratchy wool against the skin
- Using a mild, fragrance-free laundry powder and an extra rinse cycle if needed
- Planning a calming bedtime routine to reduce scratching triggered by stress or tiredness
- Noticing and recording possible triggers, then discussing them with your GP or dermatologist before making big diet or lifestyle changes
If your skin suddenly worsens, becomes very painful, or shows signs of infection (increasing redness, pus, fever or feeling unwell), it is important to seek medical care promptly.
Related conditions
Book an Appointment
If you’d like to explore acupuncture as part of your care, you’re welcome to get in touch with my Hervey Bay clinic.
Book Acupuncture Online
Or call the clinic on 07 4317 4349 if you’d prefer to speak to someone.
The clinic is located in the arcade between the 50’s Diner and the Thai Diamond Restaurant on the Esplanade in Scarness.
References
- Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (ASCIA). Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) – Fast Facts. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Eczema – Child Health Facts (Australia).
- Children’s Health Queensland. Eczema – Emergency Management in Children Clinical Guideline.
- Chidwick K. et al. Prevalence, incidence and management of atopic dermatitis in Australia. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 2020.
- Drucker AM. et al. The burden of atopic dermatitis in Australia: medical care, quality of life and costs. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 2024.
- Jiao R. et al. The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for patients with atopic eczema. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019.
- Liang S. et al. Acupuncture for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 2024.
- Park JG. et al. Acupuncture improves symptoms in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis: a randomised, sham-controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2018.
- Rotter G. et al. Acupuncture and osteopathic medicine for atopic dermatitis: a three-armed randomised controlled trial. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2022.
- Wang S. et al. Electroacupuncture antipruritic technique for atopic eczema: multicentre randomised trial protocol. Frontiers in Medicine, 2023.
