What Pholi said...a bad flare up needs steroids to get it under control, then lots of moisturiser (I use sorbolene too). Avoid hot baths and showers, pat skin dry rather than rubbing them. Oatmeal sock in the bath I find is nice too. Don't get overheated, so breathable fabrics.
Control any hayfever or asthma too as I find they go hand in hand. I've got all three atm