Eczema causes skin to dry and break apart, so the risk of bacterial infection increases around the cracks. Excessive scratching or incorrect treatment regimens will further increase this risk. Typical symptoms of infected eczema include:
Swelling and soreness
Yellow discolourations on the flaked skin
White or yellow spots on the affected skin
Fluid or pus around the affected area
Fever and other flu-like symptoms
Infections can cause existing symptoms to worsen, and prevent normal medication from being effective. You should consult your GP immediately if you notice that you or your child might have infected eczema.
Infections are typically treated with antibiotics and by ensuring the skin is clean and protected from further infection. When the infection has cleared, you will be required to switch to brand new creams, so as to prevent further contamination.