Does scratching make eczema worse?

I was just diagnosed with eczema on my elbows and it is so hard not to scratch. Does scratching also make the eczema spread to other parts of the body, or does it just make the existing patch worse?

As a nurse, I can tell you that scratching damages the skin barrier, making you highly susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. If your eczema is extremely itchy, please consult your doctor for a proper topical steroid or antihistamine instead of scratching.

In my personal experience, scratching my eczema skin always made the redness and burning twice as bad the next day. I found that wrapping the area with a wet bandage after moisturizing really helped keep me from scratching.

I know how frustrating and exhausting the constant itching of eczema can be, it can literally drive you crazy. But scratching really does make the inflammation worse and can introduce bacteria into the skin. Please try to stay strong and use ice packs to calm the skin instead.

Scratching is the worst thing you can do for eczema. It thickens the skin, a condition called lichen simplex chronicus, and prolongs the flare-up indefinitely. Stop scratching, wear cotton gloves if you must, and follow your dermatologist's prescription strictly.

I have dealt with eczema on my hands for over thirty years now. Scratching will only thicken the skin and make the patches harder to heal. Over the years, I learned that keeping my nails cut very short and applying cold compresses helps manage the itch without causing damage.

I try so hard not to scratch my eczema patches, but I often do it unconsciously while sleeping and wake up with bleeding skin. Does anyone else struggle with this, and how do you stop yourself at night?