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From dry skin in the newborn to atopic eczema in the infant and child, health professionals in primary care play a crucial role in supporting families in the care of skin, and the treatment and management of skin conditions in children. The evidence base can be conflicting and guidance changes frequently. With so much information to share with new parents, baby skincare is often seen as a lower priority when imparting health promotion advice than other areas such as safe sleep or infant feeding. It has been argued that, with the rising prevalence of atopic eczema in the UK population, advice to parents about what to be concerned about and when to seek medical advice is imperative. This article explores the evidence on general skincare from the newborn period to the treatment and management of common skin conditions, including atopic eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the psychosocial aspects of dermatological care in the community that nurses and patients should be aware of. Other topics include the psychological effects of skin diseases like itching or pruritis, erythema, and scaling to a person's sexuality, body image and self-esteem, and the use of emollients as effective skin barrier mechanisms to prevent skin diseases.

Age-related changes lead to an increase in skin problems, and around 70% of older people have a treatable skin condition. However, ageing and poor physical health can make it difficult for older people to care for their skin. Eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, where the skin becomes red, inflamed, itchy and scaly, can develop easily in older adults. This can, in turn, become infected and cause discomfort and health problems. This article explains how ageing affects the skin, how eczema can develop and how it can be treated, also touching upon the different types of eczema. It aims to equip community nurses with knowledge about this common condition and how to recognise and manage it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the main types of eczema that are common in older patients. Topics covered include the significance of a holistic assessment and the use of emollient therapy, percentage of older people living in Great Britain who have a skin condition, and the impact of eczema on a person's quality of life.

Parental concern over infant dry skin is a common challenge that midwives and other maternity professionals frequently address in the early postnatal period. Although infant dry skin is a normal process of adaptation to extra-uterine life, parents often wish to treat it, and there is uncertainty among health professionals about what is safe and best practice. For decades, health professionals have recommended the use of topical natural oils to prevent or treat infant dry skin, but more recently, there has been increasing concern that use of these oils on the skin may be a contributory factor in the rising prevalence of childhood atopic eczema. This article will consider how infant skin may be affected by topical products, the role of the health professional giving infant skin care advice and current evidence to support clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this regular feature, aesthetic nurse Claudia McGloin presents a brief synopsis of a range of recently published articles on medical aesthetics. Research roundup aims to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary and critique, of the papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided at the end of each study summary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an update regarding atopic eczema research as of 2018, and it mentions the Global Resource of EczemA Trials (GREAT) database, the Softened Water for Eczema Prevention Pilot Trial, and an Eczema Priority Setting Partnership. The treatment of eczema is examined, along with research studies such as the Bath Additives for the Treatment of Childhood Eczema trial, Choice of Moisturiser in Eczema Treatment project, and ChildRen with the Eczema Antibiotic Management study.

Atopic eczema is a common childhood condition. This article gives guidance on patient assessment; developing a patient-centred plan of care; the topical products most effective for managing the condition; how optimal adherence to the treatment may be achieved; and when referral to services in secondary care is appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic eczema (AE) is a common condition in children and tends to improve with age; however, 2–10% of patients will continue to be affected as adults. When managing the adult patient with eczema it is essential that an assessment of the signs and symptoms, as well as the effect the condition is having on quality of life, is carried out. This article focuses on the presentation of AE, complications that may be experienced by patients with AE, management of the condition and when to refer to a specialist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic eczema is a common skin condition affecting approximately 20% of school-age children. The management of complex atopic eczema can be challenging. This paper aims to provide guidance on the management of complex cases and when to refer children for specialist advice. Emollients should form the basis of management and be used even when eczema is clear. When children experience a flare of their eczema, topical treatments should be stepped up accordingly. With clear guidance relating to management and referral, it is important when caring for these children that the health practitioner has a depth of knowledge and expertise to provide a comprehensive plan of care, is able to answer the many questions children and their parents may have, and intervene and refer appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurses can support older people with eczema by understanding the condition and treatment principles, including the use of emollients to prevent acute flares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive oil is commonly recommended by health professionals to new parents for use in the prevention and treatment of the term baby's dry skin, and for baby massage. There is no evidence to support this practice. The use of olive oil may be harmful to skin, affecting skin barrier function. This effect may be a contributory factor in the prevalence of childhood conditions such as atopic eczema. This paper discusses a national online audit of UK maternity hospitals (n = 67) and neonatal units (n = 33) performed between November 2010 and January 2011. Our findings confirm that oil use on babies' skin is common practice. As the direct cost to the NHS for treatment of atopic eczema is high, it is imperative that further research in this area is performed, preferably in the form of a randomized controlled trial. Health professionals will then be in a position to provide accurate information to parents with regard to oil in baby skin care regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing atopic eczema and other dry and itchy skin conditions is a skill required in all nursing specialties. Nurses need to assess and address their patients' skin-care needs. Atopic eczema and all dry and itchy skin conditions require emollient therapy to restore the skin barrier. Nurses are ideally placed to educate patients in the importance of emollient therapy and provide practical information on the individual selection of bath additives, soap substitutes and moisturizers, as well as education on application and self-management. Nurse prescribers will benefit from understanding specific individual patient needs and individual emollient properties to enable them to make informed prescribing decisions and foster patient choice in selecting the best emollient therapy for the individual. This will restore the skin barrier function, reduce itch and suit the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breakdown of the skin barrier is the first event in the development of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis). Research over the past five years has indicated that this arises as a result of the interaction of environmental agents such as soap and other detergents with the products of changes in several genes. These genetic changes predispose to the breakdown of the skin barrier, which allows the penetration of allergens, triggering a flare of atopic eczema. This new understanding of how breakdown of the skin barrier is the first event in the development of atopic eczema provides a rationale for a renaissance in the use of a complete emollient therapy regimen in atopic eczema and related skin barrier breakdown diseases, such as asteatotic eczema and irritant contact dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this regular feature, aesthetic nurse Claudia McGloin presents a brief synopsis of a range of recently published articles on medical aesthetics. Research roundup aims to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary and critique, of the papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided at the end of each study summary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this regular feature, aesthetic nurse Claudia McGloin presents a brief synopsis of a range of recently published articles on medical aesthetics. Research roundup aims to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary and critique, of the papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided at the end of each study summary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]