Chapter 1: Clinical Overview
Corticosteroid creams/ointments - Pharmacy Only
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Active ingredients: Hydrocortisone 1%
Note: Your pharmacist must recommend this to the patient and provide counselling.
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Usually applied up to four times a day.
Not suitable for long term use – can cause thinning of the skin.
Tip: Side effects may include a slight stinging sensation on application.
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Patients over two years of age with mild to moderate eczema symptoms.
Should NOT be used in patients with poor blood circulation in the skin region as it may cause skin ulcers.
Corticosteroid creams/ointments - Pharmacist Only
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Note: These corticosteroid products are stronger than the ones available without prescription.
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Some antihistamines, especially the Pharmacist-Only ones may cause drowsiness, so the patient must be careful and avoid operating heavy machinery and driving.
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Patients with moderate to severe skin irritation and itch, to the extent that it is causing significant discomfort and may be interfering with their sleep.
Corticosteroid creams/ointments - Prescription Only
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There are a number of brands with different ingredients, such as:
EGO QV Cream and Lotion
Derma Veen Cream and Lotion
Many more – check in your pharmacy what brands you have.
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Moisturisers should be used every day, at least once especially after showering or bathing, to ensure the skin is well moisturised. This will help to prevent cracking and itching and help to ‘block out’ germs which may cause an infection.
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Patients with dry, itchy skin, or prone to developing dry itchy skin and those with an eczema flare up.
Moisturisers
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There are a number of brands with different ingredients, such as:
EGO QV Gentle Wash
EGO QV Dermacare Eczema Daily Wash
Derma Veen Wash
Many more – check in your pharmacy what brands you have.
Note: Soap and some shampoos tend to leave the skin dry and prone to cracking, and therefore may increase the likelihood of an eczema flare-up.
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Soap alternative washes should be used every day.
Most of these products are pH balanced to the skin to reduce drying and cracking.
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Patients with dry, itchy skin, or prone to developing dry itchy skin and those with an eczema flare up.
Soap Alternative washes
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There are a number of brands with different ingredients, such as:
EGO QV Flare Up
Derma Veen Sensitive Relief Eczema Ointment
Many more – check in your pharmacy what brands you have.
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These products contain a number of different ingredients, such as ceramides, moisturisers, antibacterials and others.
Check the products you have in your pharmacy, so that you know what to recommend when the need arises.
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Patients with an eczema flare up – should be started as soon as the condition is recognised as getting worse.
Eczema flare up products
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There are a number of brands with different formulations.
Check in your pharmacy what brands you have.
Note: Specialised skin-oriented probiotics have been shown to significantly improve the skin during trials.
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These products contain beneficial bacteria that may help reduce the risk and symptoms of eczema.
Check the age suitability, dosage and storage conditions on the products you have in your pharmacy.
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Patients prone to eczema, or during an eczema flare up.
Probiotics
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Moisturise Daily
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Soap
Hot showers and circumstances where you may overheat
Avoid wearing woolen fabrics next to the skin
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Rinse off chlorine after swimming
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Keep children’s fingernails cut short to avoid further skin damage from scratching.
Lifestyle Choices
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Your patient may need a strong steroid cream and/or medicine for a secondary infection, so a referral to the doctor may be appropriate.
Their doctor may want to conduct allergy testing to identify triggers.
The Australasian society of clinical immunology and allergy has an Eczema Action Plan that may prove useful for some patients and their doctor can complete this for them.ASCIA Eczema Action Plan - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
Other health professionals
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Active ingredients: Hydrocortisone 0.5%
Note: Hydrocortisone reduces inflammation and itching of the skin.
Note: Hydrocortisone cream/ointment should NOT be used on a viral, fungal or bacterial skin infection.
Note: Special care must be taken around the eyes so that the cream does not go into the eye.
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Usually applied up to three times a day.
Not suitable for long term use – can cause thinning of the skin.
Tip: Side effects may include a slight stinging sensation on application.
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Patients over two years of age with mild eczema symptoms.
Should NOT be used in patients with poor blood circulation in the skin region as it may cause skin ulcers.
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