Atopic eczema:

Abstract

Children Paediatric nursing Eczema Atopic eczema is a common problem. In the GP’s surgery, 10-12 per cent of consultations will be related to skin problems and, of those, about 30 per cent are for atopic eczema (Watts 1996). Studies suggest that 80-90 per cent of affected children first develop symptoms before the age of five and that the majority of these show signs of the problem before the age of six months (Holden 1997). This chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin condition may be just a minor inconvenience for some but many will suffer recurrent and debilitating problems that are not only distressing to the child, but may have severe and stressful repercussions on the whole family. Traditionally, the first port of call for help is the GP who may refer the child to a consultant dermatologist when control of the condition is not achieved. Basic advice, emollients, steroid applications and antibiotics may be prescribed, but when all else fails, hospital admission may be on the agenda. With relapse of the condition, further admissions may follow. At the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals, the team approach to the management of atopic eczema in children has been shown to be effective in helping families to cope. A specialist nurse in the team plays a crucial part in offering time, practical advice, planned treatment regimes and support, without the need for admission. Treating children in the home setting, thus avoiding hospital admission and its expense to the NHS, brings long-term benefits to the child and the family (Edwards 1997).