NICE support bath emollients for eczema

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has released new guidelines that recommend the use of nonperfumed emollients for children with atopic eczema.

The guidelines, produced for NICE by the National Collaborating Centre for Women and Children's Health, include the most comprehensive review on ways to improve the quality of life for those with eczema.

Despite recent controversy surrounding the use of bath emollients, NICE say nurses should offer children with atopic eczema a choice of emollients to use every day for moisturising, washing and bathing.

They add that treatments should be tailored to suit children's needs and preferences and may include a combination of products.

NICE recommend that healthcare professionals should adopt a "holistic approach" when assessing children with eczema, taking into account the eczema severity and children's everyday activities and sleep, and psychosocial well being.

Nurses should also spend time educating children with atopic eczema and their parents or carers about the disorder and its treatment.

Peter Littlejohn, NICE clinical and public health director, said: "The publication of this guideline will improve the management of atopic eczema in children from birth up to the age of 12 years in primary, secondary and community care.

"For the first time, people suffering from this condition will benefit from a consistent approach to managing their condition, regardless of where they live."

NICE