Eczema Treatment for Children in London: What Parents Need to Know

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions affecting babies and children in the UK, yet for many families it remains frustratingly difficult to manage. Broken sleep, distressed children, and conflicting advice can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. If your child is struggling with eczema, specialist paediatric care can make a significant difference — and it's more accessible than you might think.

At The London Allergy Clinic, based in Marylebone, we provide expert paediatric eczema assessment and treatment for children of all ages, from newborns through to teenagers. Our Children's Eczema service is led by Dr Emily Derrick and Dr Tammy Rothenberg, both Consultant Paediatricians and Allergists with years of extensive specialist experience in eczema and allergic skin disease.

What Is Childhood Eczema?

Eczema — also known as atopic dermatitis — is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It causes the skin to become dry, itchy, and inflamed, and is characterised by recurring flare-ups. In babies, it often appears on the face, scalp and body. In older children, it commonly affects the creases of the elbows and knees.

Up to 1 in 5 children in the UK will develop eczema at some point, and symptoms typically begin within the first year of life. While many children improve as they grow older, some continue to experience eczema into adolescence and beyond.

Eczema is not contagious. It has a strong genetic component and is often associated with other allergic conditions, including food allergy, hay fever and asthma — a progression sometimes referred to as the "atopic march."

Is Allergy Causing My Child's Eczema?

This is one of the most common questions parents ask, and it's an important one. Eczema in children can be associated with food allergies — such as reactions to egg, cow's milk, peanut or wheat — as well as environmental triggers like house dust mite. However, not all eczema is driven by allergy, and unnecessary dietary restrictions without proper testing can sometimes cause more harm than good.

Identifying whether allergy is playing a role requires careful, specialist assessment. As paediatric allergists, Dr Emily Derrick and Dr Tammy Rothenberg are uniquely placed to evaluate eczema within the broader context of allergic disease — ensuring that any investigations are targeted, appropriate, and evidence-based.

When Should My Child See a Specialist?

You don't need to wait until things are severe before seeking specialist input. A paediatric eczema assessment at our London clinic may be particularly helpful if:

• Your child's eczema is moderate to severe, or is not responding to standard treatments

• Eczema is affecting your child's sleep, behaviour, or daily life

• You have concerns about possible food allergies or feeding difficulties

• Your child has a history of wheeze, asthma or hay fever alongside their eczema

• You want a clear, expert diagnosis and a joined-up management plan
  

What Happens at a Paediatric Eczema Consultation?

Every child is assessed as an individual. A consultation with Dr Emily Derrick typically includes a detailed medical and allergy history, an assessment of eczema severity and distribution, a review of your child's current skincare and treatments, and consideration of possible allergic triggers.

Where clinically appropriate, allergy testing may be recommended. This may include skin prick testing — which provides immediate results in clinic — or blood tests to check for specific IgE antibodies.

Dr Derrick places a strong emphasis on parent education and practical management plans, helping families feel confident in day-to-day eczema care.

Our Paediatric Eczema Specialists

Dr Emily Derrick (MBChB, MRCPCH, MSc Allergy) is a Consultant Paediatrician and Allergist. She trained in paediatric allergy at St Mary's Hospital, the Royal London Hospital, and the Evelina Children's Hospital, and completed a Masters in Allergy during her training. She is currently Clinical Lead for Paediatric Allergy at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, and has a particular specialist interest in eczema in babies and young children, for which she has developed a community-based eczema education service.

Dr Derrick is also actively involved with the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI), where she serves as Paediatric Scientific Programme Director.

Our Children's Allergy Services team also includes Dr Tammy Rothenberg, Consultant Paediatrician and Allergist, who brings further specialist experience in the management of childhood eczema alongside her particular expertise in paediatric asthma.

Eczema treatment for children: Book a consultation in London

The London Allergy Clinic is located in Marylebone, central London, and is easily accessible from across the city. We see children from birth upwards and can usually offer appointments within a short timeframe.

To book an appointment or find out more about our Children's Eczema service, please contact us by phone, email or WhatsApp. Our team is available Monday to Saturday, 9am–7pm.

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