Updated July 13, 2026
Knee eczema most commonly develops behind the knees, where heat, sweat, friction, and constant movement can make flare-ups especially uncomfortable. While it can be stubborn to manage, natural skincare, breathable clothing, and reducing everyday triggers can often help calm irritated skin.
When our foundre's son struggled with severe eczema, she quickly learned there wasn't one product that fixed everything. Healing came from understanding her son's triggers and creating a simple routine that protected his skin barrier every day.
In this guide you'll learn:
- What knee eczema is
- Common causes and triggers
- Natural ways to treat eczema behind the knees
- Products that can help reduce irritation
What Is Knee Eczema?
Knee eczema is a form of eczema that develops on or, more commonly, behind the knees. Because this area bends constantly and traps heat and moisture, it is one of the most common places for atopic dermatitis to appear.
Symptoms may include:
- Intense itching
- Red or inflamed skin
- Dry, flaky patches
- Thickened skin from scratching
- Cracked or weeping skin during severe flare-ups
If eczema also affects your calves, lower legs, or thighs, visit our Leg Eczema Collection for products designed to support eczema across the entire leg.
What Causes Knee Eczema?
Knee eczema develops when the skin barrier becomes weakened and the area is repeatedly exposed to irritation. Because the backs of the knees experience constant movement, sweating, and friction throughout the day, flare-ups are common in both children and adults.
Common triggers include:
- Sweat and heat
- Friction from walking or exercise
- Synthetic clothing
- Dry winter air
- Harsh soaps and cleansers
- Seasonal allergies
- Stress
- Frequent scratching
How to Treat Eczema on Knees
Moisturize
Eczema behind the knees is often treated with an emollient because it forms a healing and protective layer to help the skin retain it's natural moisture. Emollient or moisturizers should be applied twice daily and always after a shower or bath.
You can find an emollient and treatment designed for your specific type of eczema symptoms.
What does your eczema look like? Select from the categories below:
Red, Weeping Eczema – the skin looks angry and very irritated, may be weeping or oozing and could develop a crust. This is often how the skin looks during topical steroid withdrawal (TSW).
Itchy, Red, Dry Eczema – the skin is mostly itchy, with some dryness and redness.
Thick, Scaly Eczema – the skin has thickened and developed a scaly appearance like that of a crocodile. This is more common in chronic cases.
Wet Wrap Therapy
A simple but effective way to allow emollients to work better without the need for corticosteroids, is to use dry wrap or wet wrap therapy. This type of treatment allows emollients to work longer and more efficiently.
Dry wrapping is a good first step as it's easier and less messy than wet wrapping. To make things really easy and effective, try Remedywear™ clothing for eczema, which is designed to wear dry, no need for wet wrapping. It's made from TENCEL with zinc embedded in the clothing, all very therapeutic and great for eczema. Remedywear makes an eczema bandage that works very well for knee eczema. With any of these garments, simply apply a good emollient and then wear them over the areas needing treatment.
If you're up for trying wet wrap therapy for knee eczema, using these special treatment wraps is fast and easy. Wet wrapping works by exposing the skin to constant moisture for an extended period of time, essentially locking in the moisture to provide instant relief. Studies report a dramatic reduction of eczema symptoms within five days of beginning wet wrap treatment.
To begin wet wrap therapy:
- Take a bath with lukewarm water.
- Pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
- Apply an emollient
- For wet wrap therapy, wet the band/sleeve in warm water, gently wring out, and slip around the knee, then cover with a dry layer of clothing or another band/sleeve. For dry wrap therapy, simply apply the sleeve over the knee and you're done.
- Remove the band/sleeve two hours later or the next morning, if using overnight, and apply another layer of emollient.
Wear Breathable Clothing
The skin behind the knees experiences constant bending and friction. Clothing made from rough or synthetic materials can trap heat and moisture, making eczema worse.
Choose breathable natural fabrics whenever possible. While loose clothing is often more comfortable during flare-ups, therapeutic garments like Remedywear® leggings for adults and kids are intentionally designed to fit close to the skin so the zinc-embedded TENCEL™ fibers remain in contact with irritated skin while staying soft and breathable.
Reduce Common Triggers
While you can't always prevent eczema flare-ups, identifying and avoiding your personal triggers can make knee eczema much easier to manage over time. The backs of the knees are especially vulnerable because this area traps heat and moisture while constantly bending throughout the day.
Simple changes that may help include:
- Shower or rinse after exercising to remove sweat and reduce irritation.
- Pat your skin dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing.
- Choose breathable clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton or TENCEL™ to reduce friction and heat buildup.
- Avoid harsh soaps, fragrances, and laundry detergents that may irritate sensitive skin.
- Moisturize immediately after bathing to help lock in moisture and strengthen your skin barrier.
- Keep fingernails short to reduce skin damage if you scratch.
- Learning which triggers affect your skin can make it easier to prevent future flare-ups before they become severe.
Support Your Skin Barrier From Within
Healthy skin starts with a strong skin barrier. While moisturizers help protect the outside of your skin, factors like nutrition, stress management, sleep, and overall health can also influence eczema symptoms.
Many people find that supporting their skin from both the inside and outside leads to better long-term management. Eating a balanced diet, managing stress, staying hydrated, and addressing nutrient deficiencies with your healthcare provider may all play a role in maintaining healthier skin.
If you're looking for additional support, our Eczema Supplements for Skin Barrier Support collection includes carefully selected probiotics, vitamins, and nutritional supplements chosen specifically for people living with eczema.
Remember that supplements work best as part of a complete eczema routine alongside natural skincare, trigger management, and consistent moisturizing.
Find Natural Relief for Knee Eczema
Managing knee eczema often means making small improvements over time rather than searching for a single solution. Protecting your skin barrier with natural skincare, reducing friction, choosing breathable fabrics, and avoiding common triggers can all help keep flare-ups under control.
If you're looking for products specifically selected for eczema behind the knees, explore our Knee Eczema Collection. If your eczema extends to your calves, lower legs, or thighs, our Leg Eczema Collection offers additional natural skincare, therapeutic clothing, and skin barrier support.
References
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/symptoms/
https://skinanswer.com/eczema-on-back-of-knees-diagnosis-symptoms-and-treatments/
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2014/354250/
FAQs
Why does eczema often appear behind the knees?
Because the backs of the knees trap heat, sweat, and friction, making them one of the most common places for eczema flare-ups.
Can exercise make knee eczema worse?
Exercise itself doesn't cause eczema, but sweating and friction during activity may trigger flare-ups. Showering afterward and moisturizing can help reduce irritation.
What clothing is best for knee eczema?
Breathable natural fabrics like cotton and TENCEL™ are often more comfortable than synthetic materials. Therapeutic garments may also help reduce friction while protecting irritated skin.
Can knee eczema spread to the legs?
Eczema itself doesn't spread, but it can develop on other areas of the legs, including the calves, lower legs, and thighs if those areas are also prone to flare-ups.
