Enabling self-management of eczema in primary care

Abstract

Eczema is a very common and, generally, long-term condition found across all age groups. Practice nurses are skilled in chronic disease management and are ideally placed to manage eczema in general practice, and the step-wise principles of asthma care can also be applied to eczema care. These principles are aimed at enabling patient self-management by supporting and educating them in ‘preventers’, daily complete emollient therapy and ‘relievers’, treating symptoms quickly, generally with a short course of topical steroids. Patients with eczema can be educated in identifying individual triggers (such as irritants and allergens), recognising flares and complications, such as infection, and knowing when to seek health professional support.