At a glance

• Moisturise regularly with a product that suits the skin.
• Treat active areas early with the prescribed anti-inflammatory cream.
• Seek review for infection, poor control or uncertainty about the plan.

Daily skin care

• Use short lukewarm baths or showers and a soap-free wash if needed; gently pat the skin dry.
• Apply moisturiser generously and often, including when the skin looks clear.
• Avoid known irritants such as fragranced products, overheating and rough fabrics where these cause problems.
• Keep fingernails short and use practical measures to reduce damage from scratching.

Apply the plan correctly

• Apply topical corticosteroid or other prescribed treatment to active eczema as shown in your plan.
• Different body sites may need different strengths; do not substitute or dilute treatments without advice.
• Ask for a demonstration if you are unsure how much to use or when to step treatment up or down.

When to book a GP review

• Skin becomes increasingly painful, hot, swollen, crusted, weeping or develops pus-filled spots.
• There are rapidly spreading small blisters, punched-out sores, fever or marked illness.
• Eczema is rapidly worsening or prescribed treatment is not controlling the flare.

Follow-up

• Arrange review when sleep, school, work or daily life is affected despite following the plan.
• Review possible allergy only when the history supports it; broad food exclusions can be harmful, especially for children.
• Ask for a written flare plan if treatment instructions are difficult to remember.

Emergency advice

Seek urgent medical care for rapidly spreading painful blistered or eroded skin, especially around the eyes, with fever or marked illness. Call 000 for breathing difficulty, facial or tongue swelling, collapse or another severe allergic reaction.

Rochedale Family Practice is not an emergency service.