Avoiding eczema triggers

An essential element of eczema management is avoidance of trigger factors /irritants and using moisturisers at an early stage to restore skin barrier function.¹⁸

Pharmacy teams should suggest that patients avoid or minimise exposure to trigger factors/ irritants, such as wool fabrics and detergents, psychological stress, certain, inhalants and/ or contact allergens;^1,18 keeping a diary may help patients identify triggers.

Patients should be advised that some soaps, shampoos, bubble baths, shower gels can dry out the skin and aggravate skin conditions. If patients experience this, they should consider using an emollient as a soap substitute.^14,20

Fire risk advice

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Fire risk advice

When recommending, dispensing or selling paraffin-containing emollients, instruct parents not to smoke or go near naked flames: skin, clothing or fabric (eg bedding or bandages) that have been in contact with an emollient can rapidly ignite.²²

Pharmacists should remind patients of the fire risk with all paraffin-containing emollients. A fire risk cannot be excluded with paraffin-free emollients. Although emollients are not flammable, they can increase the speed of ignition and intensity of the fire.²²