Atopic eczema in children

Poor access to effective, sustained eczema management may contribute to morbidity.

Eczema affects approximately 20% of children and the severity of eczema is worse in Māori and Pacific children.

Eczema (atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis) is an itchy inflammatory skin disease most commonly seen in children. It is characterised by itchy, inflamed, dry, scaling, and crusted skin.  If the condition becomes chronic lichenification (thickening) and hyperpigmentation of the skin are seen.

Following completion of this short course you will:

• Know how to advise about and prescribe emollients appropriately.
• Know how to advise about and prescribe topical corticosteroids appropriately.
• Be aware of strategies to manage itch.
• Know how to recognise eczema herpeticum.
• Know when to refer patients with eczema.

Acknowledgements

Content created and updated by Dr Karen Falloon MBChB, FRNZCGP, PhD, and revised by Connie Kang BPharm(Hons).