Only half of primary care practitioners are aware of complete emollient therapy (CET) as a principle for managing patients with dry skin and eczema, according to a new survey

And almost two thirds think more education is needed to improve emollient use by patients with eczema. The survey of 250 GPs and 250 practice nurses, conducted by Cetraben, also found inconsistency in the advice given to patients on the use of emollient. 

Just 38 per cent of primary care practitioners advised their patients on how to apply their emollients (in the direction of hair growth and avoid rubbing) and only 73 per cent gave instructions on how frequently to use it. The survey also found two thirds of healthcare professionals believe roughly four in 10 of their patients apply their emollient incorrectly, with just 4 per cent feeling confident the majority of their patients are using it correctly.

The CET regimen consists of the regular use of emollients, including ointments, creams, lotions and bath oils. To maintain an effective CET regimen, people with eczema should be advised to:

• Apply emollients in generous quantities all over the skin, including unaffected areas
• Apply emollients as liberally and frequently as possible – they are best applied when the skin is moist but they can and should be applied at other times, ideally every four hours or at least three to four times daily
• Apply thicker emollients, such as an ointment, at night time or to complement emollients during the day.
  
  Thornton and Ross, manufacturer of Cetraben, is committed to improving education on the management of dry skin conditions including atopic eczema. It has developed several resources for healthcare professionals and patients to help achieve this aim – visit cetraben.co.uk for more details.