Dry skin is a common problem during winter but, if you're an eczema sufferer, winter can be an especially trying season.

According to the Eczema Association of Australasia, symptoms can include itchy or weeping skin, and rashes.

Association president Cheryl Talent said ways to manage your skin condition during winter months included more frequent application of a suitable moisturiser, adding moisture to the air - if the heating is on - by putting bowls of water around the house, and changing from a soap-free wash to a hypoallergenic bath/shower oil.

Ms Talent also advised against too many bedclothes: "This will cause you to overheat and scratch," she said.

Grahams Natural Alternatives director Geoff Graham said it was crucial to keep eczema-prone skin moist at all times.

"Once the top layers of the skin dry out, this starts the scratching cycle, which can lead to infections in the skin," he said.

Warming up with extra layers of clothing tended to heat the skin more, which also started the scratching.

"So keep the skin moist, drink a lot of water, eat a healthy diet, and older sufferers need to get adequate exercise," he said.