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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]

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.

Atopic eczema (AE) is one of the most common dermatological diseases, with the number of cases in the UK rising. The use of emollients to maintain skin hydration and restore barrier function remains the principal treatment, in conjunction with topical corticosteroids (TCS) to reduce inflammation. Unfortunately, many health professionals, and patients themselves, fail to consider emollients as an active treatment and may overlook the vital role they play in the maintenance of intact, healthy skin. Despite the overwhelming acceptance of the importance of emollient therapy, there remains a lack of good quality evidence on their effectiveness or whether one is better than another. Patients often receive conflicting or limited advice from health professionals as to how to use them, and if using TCS as well, which to apply first. This may result in incorrect use, reduced therapeutic effect and poor concordance. This article aims to explore normal skin barrier function, the disruption caused by AE, and some of the contemporary issues surrounding emollient therapy and topical corticosteroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pruritus (itching) is a common problem in children and may stem from a number of causes, such as eczema, urticaria, insect bites, infections or occasionally from more serious generalized disease. Prescribing nurses should be able to recognize common conditions that children may present with and recommend treatment and management options to parents. This article discusses signs and symptoms that help in diagnosis, and the appropriate management and treatment of these conditions. [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]

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]

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]

Atopic eczema often develops during infancy and can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. However, despite this the condition is often not taken seriously by health-care professionals. Atopic eczema is also a widespread problem, affecting as many as 15-20% of children in Britain. The incidence of atopic eczema has risen over the last few decades and genetic factors are no longer thought to be the only aetiological factor--it is now postulated that environmental may also play a part in the development of the condition. Recent research highlights how a defective skin barrier can be a significant issue for atopic skin. This article looks at how atopic eczema affects the quality of life of patients and details the management techniques that are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic eczema is a chronic skin condition affecting between 5% and 20% of children aged up to 11 years, and the numbers are increasing. While eczema is often seen to be a minor problem, research has shown that it can cause considerable disruption to the lives of children and their carers, and can incur significant cost for the family and the healthcare system. Access to good quality, relevant information on the seriousness of atopic eczema, problems that are likely to occur during the illness, and how these may affect the child and his/her family's everyday life is an important consideration when providing care. This article focuses on the information needs and the role that support groups can have in relation to caring for children and their families living with atopic eczema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]