Learning scenario
Learning Scenario
Tanvi, a 37-year-old mum, comes to the counter for advice. She has always suffered with dry skin but recently her skin has started to feel especially dry and itchy. A friend recommended hydrocortisone cream but Tanvi tells you she'd like to explore other options first. She adds that she uses body lotion, but mainly in the summer months when she's wearing dresses. Her diet is healthy and she drinks plenty of water.
What advice could you give to Tanvi?
CORRECT - Emollients can be very effective in managing dry and eczema-prone skin. Explaining to Tanvi that Dermexa is clinically proven to soothe very dry skin and part of the well-established Aveeno range will reassure her that this product can help with her troublesome symptoms.
CORRECT - As this is Tanvi's first experience of eczema symptoms, something in particular might have triggered this flare-up. Talking her through possible triggers may help her work out the root of the problem.
CORRECT - People's skin needs can vary. Depending on the symptoms that Tanvi is experiencing and her own personal preferences, you should go through all the different options available, such as creams, ointments, lotions and washes.
INCORRECT - There are other steps Tanvi can take to help. Offer self-care tips such as suggesting she showers in warm, not hot, water. She should avoid using harsh, alcohol-based products as these can dry skin out. A wash such as Dermexa Wash will help cleanse her skin without drying it. You should also recommend that she uses a body lotion all year round to reduce dryness.
References
- Van Onselen, J. Dry skin conditions: an evidence-based focus on natural oatmeal emollients. Primary Health Care 2011; 21(2):31-37
- http://www.eczema.org/what-is-eczema [last accessed 22.2.18]
- Grice EA, Segre JA. The skin microbiome. Nature reviews Microbiology. 2011;9(4):244-253.
- Capone KA, Klein SL, Kirchner F, Tierney NK, Effects of topical lotions on the atopic dermatitis skin microbiome and associations with itch and skin barrier function. Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. poster presentation at the 76th Annual Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) Meeting: April 26-29, 2017; Portland, OR, USA. and Children's Health, NICE Clinical Guideline 57, 2007.
- Atopic eczema in under 12s: diagnosis and management. Available at nice.org.uk/guidance/cg57
- Kurtz ES, Wallo W, Colloidal oatmeal: history, chemistry and clinical properties. J Drugs Dermatol. 2007 Feb;6(2):167-70
- Data on file