Abstract
Aim
To determine the effectiveness of a community pharmacist intervention to promote effective use of emollients in children with atopic eczema.
Design
Pre-post intervention pilot study.
Subjects and setting
Children aged 1–7 years with eczema and their parents currently using emollient bath oils, recruited through advertisements in local schools and playgroups and through the National Eczema Society. The intervention was delivered by community pharmacists in Brighton, Coventry and London.
Outcome Measures
Parent- or child-rated severity of itch; parent- or child-rated severity of sleep disturbance, irritability and skin appearance; emollient use (adherence); attitudes to eczema and emollient therapy.
Results
50 subjects completed the intervention and follow-up. 20% had previously been shown how to apply emollient creams by a GP or nurse but only 10% were applying them correctly. There was a small, statistically significant reduction in itch following the intervention (mean reduction 1.43, SD 2.76, t=3.61, P=0.001), a small, statistically significant reduction in irritability (mean reduction 1.23, SD 2.84, t=2.86, P=0.006) but little reduction in sleep disturbance or skin appearance. 44% of subjects experienced a 50% or more reduction in itch and irritability. Following the intervention, there was an increase in the number of subjects who applied emollient creams correctly.
Conclusions
A community pharmacist intervention to promote the effective use of emollient creams in children with eczema is effective and is valued by parents. The intervention increases the correct use and application of emollients (adherence to recommended use) and significantly reduces symptoms.
