Optimising moisturiser use
OPTIMISING MOISTURISER USE IN CHILDHOOD ECZEMA
Optimising moisturiser use
The pharmacy team should ensure that children with eczema are offered a choice of unperfumed moisturisers to use every day for moisturising, washing and bathing.14
Moisturisers should be suited to the child's needs and preferences. Some children may need several moisturisers, such as a cream during the day and an ointment at night. Other children may find one moisturiser for all purposes. Choosing the right product for each patient may mean trying a variety of products and formulations.14,18,20,23
Leave-on moisturisers should be prescribed or sold in large quantities (250 g to 500 g weekly) for children younger than 12 years.14
Pharmacy teams should ensure that parents and carers are given the appropriate advice on managing eczema so they understand the practicalities of using moisturisers, including:11,18
- How to apply
- How often to apply
- How much to apply
- How long to apply
- How to use more than one product (e.g. different moisturisers or with other topical products).
When to refer
Pharmacists should be aware of when to refer patients - e.g. when eczema does not respond adequately to treatment or eczema appears 'atypical' (i.e. symptoms are not representative of expected.