If you have eczema, you've probably been told to "just stop scratching." But you know it's not that simple. You've tried everything—distracting yourself with your favorite TV show, rubbing ice on the spot, wearing gloves.
Breaking the itch-scratch cycle is one of the hardest parts about having flare-prone skin. If you're struggling to do so, it's not because you're doing something "wrong" or that your routine isn't working.
When it comes to easing your eczema symptoms, including itch, it's important to support your skin through the entire Flare Cycle. Patches designed for each stage can help with that, and they also provide a physical shield from scratching.
If your itch is impossible to ignore, you may be in Active Flare. Take the Flare Quiz to check your stage in 60 seconds.
How to Relieve Eczema Itch
You may start to notice a light itch during Pre-Flare, and it typically gets more severe as your skin moves into Active Flare. For many, it becomes extremely disruptive: In a poll on TYB, 40% of our community said that itch bothers them more than other symptoms, like dryness, redness, and the emotional toll. Scratching the itch brings brief yet intense relief, which is why it's so difficult to resist. However, it leads to more inflammation and dryness, which results in more of a need to itch. This is known as the itch-scratch cycle.
According to the National Eczema Association, there are a few ways you can combat this cycle: moisturizing consistently, wearing soft fabrics, taking a lukewarm bath or shower, and avoiding triggers. While this is good general advice, there's not a one-size-fits-all solution for treating eczema itch.
How Patches Help With Scratching
Patches are formulated to address the Flare Cycle stage your skin is in, meaning they can provide the exact support it needs directly to the problem area. If you're in Active Flare, Surge patch helps soothe itch and inflammation with ingredients like zinc oxide, beta-glucan, and ectoin. It also uses hydrocolloid technology to lock in hydration and protect the skin from external triggers.
While they can't physically stop you from scratching, patches provide a physical barrier that shields your flare from your fingernails. After a few days of protection, the skin gets a chance to break away from the itch-scratch cycle. In a 4-week consumer perception study, 90% of people reported less itching, some within the first day. By day seven, 94% reported calmer looking skin.
Surge supports your skin's barrier and helps break the itch-scratch cycle during Active Flare, helping it settle sooner without the thinning effects of topical steroids.
FAQs
Do eczema patches help stop scratching?
While they can't literally stop you from scratching, patches can help by soothing the itch, hydrating, and blocking you from making direct contact with your skin. Wearing one also serves as a reminder to try to avoid scratching.
What is the itch-scratch cycle?
The itch-scratch cycle is a symptom of flare-prone skin. The skin feels itchy, and when you scratch, it increases inflammatory mediators and dryness. This leads to more itchiness, which is why it's a cycle and why it's so hard to break.
Does scratching make eczema worse?
Typically, yes. Scratching breaks down the already-compromised skin barrier and can prolong the flare. If you're scratching frequently, it can cause more inflammation, redness, and dryness.
How do you break the itch-scratch cycle?
To break the itch-scratch cycle, your skin needs time to recover and rebuild the barrier. Moisturizing, wearing soft fabrics, and avoiding triggers can help, along with wearing a patch to keep the targeted spot hydrated, protected, and supported.