Dry and scaling skin disorders Flashcards
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/emollient-and-barrier-preparations/ https://bnfc.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/emollient-and-barrier-preparations/?ref=switch (14 cards)
Borderline substances: What are preparations marked ‘ACBS’ regarded as?
Drugs when prescribed in accordance with the advice of the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances for the clinical conditions listed.
Borderline substances: Will prescriptions issued in accordance with this advice and endorsed ‘ACBS’ will be investigated?
Normally not (see About Borderline Substances)
What do emollients do?
Emollients soothe, smooth and hydrate the skin and are indicated for all dry or scaling disorders.
Do emollients’ effects last long?
Their effects are short lived and they should be applied frequently even after improvement occurs.
When are emollients useful?
They are useful in dry and eczematous disorders, and to a lesser extent in psoriasis.
The choice of an appropriate emollient will depend on…
The severity of the condition, patient preference, and the site of application.
Do some ingredients commonly cause sensitisation?
Some ingredients rarely cause sensitisation and this should be suspected if an eczematous reaction occurs.
Is it good to use aqueous cream as a leave-on emollient?
The use of aqueous cream as a leave-on emollient may increase the risk of skin reactions, particularly in eczema.
Preparations such as aqueous cream and emulsifying ointment can be used as…
Soap substitutes for hand washing and in the bath; the preparation is rubbed on the skin before rinsing off completely. The addition of a bath oil may also be helpful.
Urea is occasionally used with other topical agents eg
Corticosteroids to enhance penetration of the skin.
Should emollient bath additives be added to bath water.
Yes. Hydration can be improved by soaking in the bath for 10–20 minutes.
Some bath emollients can be applied to wet skin undiluted and rinsed off.
In what conditions should soap be avoided?
In dry skin conditions.
Quantities of bath additives for children vs adults
The quantities of bath additives recommended for adults are suitable for an adult-size bath. Proportionately less should be used for a child-size bath or a washbasin; recommended bath additive quantities for children reflect this.
