Practical advice
PRACTICAL ADVICE
There is plenty of practical advice you can offer customers like Rita to care for babies’ skin that is very dry and prone to eczema:
Advice on emollient use to care for and protect skin effectively3,4,6,9
- Apply emollients often to keep the skin well moisturised and in good condition
- They should be applied even when the child is not experiencing eczema symptoms
- Do not rub the emollient in; instead, smooth it onto skin in the same direction as hair growth
- Pay attention to the hands and face that are exposed to the elements
- Apply an emollient prior to activities that may irritate baby’s skin, for example before swimming
- Hands and cheeks can also be protected from irritation from food and drink by applying an emollient before mealtimes
- Apply emollients after washing hands or after taking a bath when the skin needs moisture
- Apply emollients as soon the skin has been patted dry, while the skin is still moist.
Advice on self-care to help ease symptoms and prevent eczema flare-ups:3
- Keep the child’s bedroom cool
- If scratching is a problem
- Keep their fingernails short
- Try anti-scratch mittens
- Keep the skin covered with light clothing
- Avoid fabrics, such as wool, that may irritate the skin.
Advice for bath time:2,3,9,10
- Avoid soaps, detergents and bubble bath that may trigger a flare-up
- Avoid hot water that may strip away natural oils in the skin
- Avoid frequent, long baths
- Avoid scrubbing the skin with a washcloth
- Avoid rubbing the skin; pat it dry instead.
EMOLLIENTS SAFETY ADVICE
When recommending, dispensing, or selling emollients (regardless of whether or not they contain paraffin), instruct people to not smoke, cook, or go near naked flames while wearing clothing that has been in contact with emollients or emollient treated skin.
Although emollients are not flammable in themselves or when on the skin, when dried on to fabric they act as an accelerant, increasing the speed of ignition and intensity of the fire.
Advise that washing clothing and bedding at a high temperature may reduce emollient build up, but does not totally remove it.
If using a pot or tub of emollient, use a clean spoon or spatula to remove the emollient to minimise the risk of contamination, thereby reducing the risk of infection from a contaminated pot.
Emollients can make the skin and bath slippery and make bath time more difficult – be sure to have a good grip to prevent slips and falls.