Specialist is defined by the APC as a clinician who has undertaken an appropriate formal qualification or recognised training programme within the described area of practice and has a working experience and knowledge within a speciality area Your skin feels dry, itchy and scaly when the outer layer of skin cells, known as the stratum corneum, loses too much water. The stratum corneum normally contains natural water-holding substances that retain water seeping up from the deeper layers of the skin. Water is also usually kept in the skin by a film of natural oil (sebum) and broken-down skin cells that slow down evaporation of water from the skin surface. Epimax ®ointment - First line option for severe dry skin as per Notts Emollient Formulary. Comparable to Hydromol ®, Zeroderm ®,Cetraben ®, and Epaderm ®.

Aqueous cream may be associated with skin reactions (stinging, burning, itching and redness) when used as a 'leave-on' emollient, often within 20 minutes of application, and especially in children with atopic eczema. See MHRA Drug Safety update March 2013. Use in confirmed staphylococcal infection e.g. recurrent folliculitis and impetiginised eczema as per Notts Emollient Formulary. function e(){var e=document.createElement('script');e.type='text/javascript',e.async=true,e.src='//staticw2.yotpo.com/MCN0waWlSaGnmquVBtpvetg2aznN9nNnQb9m8rPf/widget.js';var t=document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];t.parentNode.insertBefore(e,t)})(); Your doctor or pharmacist will talk to you about which type of emollient will work best for your skin condition.Medicines suitable to be prescribed in primary care / general practice after specialist* recommendation or initiation. If you're using a steroid cream or another treatment for your skin condition, wait 20 to 30 minutes between using an emollient and using the other treatment. Ask a doctor which one to use first.

Third line gel for moderately dry skin if Isomol ® and Aproderm ® are not tolerated as per Notts Emollient Formulary. First line options are Epimax ointment, Zeroderm ® emulsifying ointment and Liquid & white soft paraffin ointment (Fifty:50). If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to a GP, nurse or pharmacist. Safety advice when using emollients Fire safety an overheating, burning sensation or stinging that does not settle after a few days of treatment – usually caused by a reaction to a certain ingredient in the emollient A supporting prescribing guideline may be requested which must have been agreed by the relevant secondary care trust DTCs and approved by the Nottinghamshire APC.Can be used for existing patients if switching toExocream/Zerocream is not acceptable to the patient. Emollients are moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe and hydrate it. They cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture. Only for patients unable to use ointment/creams/lotions, or where application without touching skin is required, as per Notts Emollient Formulary. You may need to experiment with different emollients or try a combination. For example, you may decide to use a cream during the day and an ointment at night. How to wash with emollients No new patients to receive prescriptions in primary care. Patients already receiving Red Medicines in primary care should be handled on a case by case basis with the support of the Medicines Optimisation team.

The emollient should be applied as soon as you have patted your skin dry to make sure it's properly absorbed. Skin reactions It may help to apply an emollient before and after swimming. Leave enough time for it to be absorbed into your skin before you swim. Certain activities, such as gardening, can irritate the skin. It may help to apply an emollient before doing these. It's a good idea to protect babies' hands and cheeks with an emollient before mealtimes to stop them getting sore from food and drink. If your skin stings after using an emollient wash product and does not settle after rinsing, ask a pharmacist to recommend a different product. Using emollients with other skin treatments

Everyday soaps, shampoos and shower gels usually dry out the skin and can make skin conditions like eczema worse.