Dr. Christopher Bridgett is Hon. Clinical Senior Lecturer Imperial College at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital London. He is a psychiatrist with a special interest of using behavioural interventions to help people with atopic eczema, co-author of The Combined Approach at AtopicSkinDisease.com
- 4 post series, starting with introduction to Combined Approach
- Eczema Topical Treatment
- Habitual Scratching Elimination
- Stress, Attitude and Habit Reversal
Explaining Topical Treatment – Moisturizer
The Combined Approach includes topical treatment using emollient and steroid. Moisturizing is a HUGE part of topical treatment, as emollients both lubricate and moisturize. Dr Bridgett’s advice on moisturizing is Thinly, Gently, Quickly and Often. There are a few other points mentioned in the ‘Atopic Skin Disease’:
- Thinnest possible application without ‘rubbing it in’
- More on exposed areas such as the head, neck and hands
- Pump dispensers preferable to open tubs due to bacteria infection
- Applying topical steroid first, then emollient over both the skin and the steroid
- Cream preferred over lotion
Can you explain why thinnest possible application is preferable for emollient?
(I’d usually slather on my child as I find applying a thin layer leads to more rubbing to spread the emollient)
Also, can you explain why topical steroid first?
(I’d written on this here and it does generate some discussion!)
Can you explain why cream is preferable over lotion?
Dr Bridgett: Your three questions answered:
- Thin applications of moisturizer allows heat to escape, but insulates against water loss.
- If moisturizer is applied often enough, when the steroid is applied directly onto the eczema, it is applied to skin that has been recently moisturized. We get then the best results by putting moisturizer on over topical steroid, and moisturizing all the skin, not just that which has the eczema.
- The thicker the moisturizer, the better the moisturizing effect. Also, often there are less additives in thicker moisturizers, as thicker moisturizers “keep” longer. There is less chance that a sensitivity reaction will occur with an ointment, compared with a cream. See http://atopicskindisease.com/articles/20110801
Explaining Topical Treatment – Steroid
It is stated in ‘Atopic Skin Disease’ manual that steroid cream work by inhibiting protein synthesis, secretion of products, cell division and migration of cells. The epidermis can benefit from reduced cell division, and the dermis from reduced cellular and lymphokine activity. Can you explain what this means, and
why it is important to continue steroid treatment after epidermis healing (‘2-stage in steroid effect’)?
Dr Bridgett: It seems the steroid anti-inflammatory effect is partly achieved by reducing over-activity in the skin, allowing natural healing then to lay down healthy skin again. By the time the seems good to look at, the healing is not complete through and through – there is more that is needed under the surface, so we recommend continuing with the topical steroid, beyond The Look Good Point: do not stop too soon. See http://atopicskindisease.com/articles/TT7
Many parents are very concerned with the skin-thinning side effects of steroid and also the ‘withdrawal’ symptoms once steroid treatment is discontinued. I read in your manual that side-effects are associated with inappropriate use of topical steroid and the risk is usually inadequate treatment (i.e. stopping steroid cream too early or using one of too low strength).
How do you normally convince parents that steroid cream is safe? And what guidelines would you give them to gauge if the steroid cream of correct potency, frequency and amount is used?
Dr Bridgett: Steroid side-effects come especially from using topical steroids long-term and in an unsupervised way. The method we use in The Combined Approach includes more supervision than is usually given, with a programme of several clinic visits, involving careful discussion of all anxieties and concerns. Using The Combined Approach, including therefore habit reversal, which allows natural healing alongside the good steroid effect. Then less topical steroid is used overall, for good effects, not side effects!
We offer information about the potency groups of the topical steroids, and how they are usually used. The thicker the skin, the stronger the topical steroid to be used. See http://atopicskindisease.com/categories/20110423_11
Each application of any cream needs to be sparingly applied – whether it is an emollient or a topical steroid: only a shine is required.
MarcieMom: Thank you Dr Christopher Bridgett for explaining the topical treatment that is part of The Combined Approach. In our next post, we will understand more on habit reversal techniques.
3 replies on “Combined Approach Series – Topical Treatment”
Hello from London!
Please visit http://www.atopicskindisease.com and find out about The Combined Approach. The correct use of moisturizer and anti-inflammatory cream will only work effectively when habitual scratching has been eliminated. If the eczema is coming and going but never clearing up altogether the problem of habitual scratching needs tackling! See http://www.atopicskindisease.com/articles/Usual
hi mom marcie,
my sisca i have 6y daughter who have eczema since baby. Until now every night she always getting itchy and cant get sleep well.i lived in indonesia. i want go to singapore to get better dr. i saw many dr in your blog. in your opinion which want is better tcm or western? when i search about eczema i found a website that explain about eczema. have you ever heard about that ?
my daughter eczema is getting worse ,i already use qv bathoil for take a bath after that i use elidel for the red skin and give a1 psygiogel. when its very worst i also give oral medicine like aerius or zyrtec but now the medicine is not working because the skin still same itchy and red
thankyou for your help
regrads,
sisca
Hi!
For bedtime, keep the air cool and also have humidifier if you aircon dries the air. Try shower closer to bedtime, moisturize immediately. You can also consider wet wraps
http://eczemablues.com/2011/12/easy-to-use-wet-wrapping-to-keep-childs-skin-hydrated/
I haven’t seen TCM doc, but if you are considering TCM, please see an established one to ensure that their prescription are properly made, and safe.
I haven’t come across the site you mentioned, and the link isn’t working (deleted it from your comment actually, in case it’s a dubious site).
Have your child taken an allergy test? Can help with you identifying triggers. Also minimize house dust mites in your home, as that is a common trigger for children.
http://eczemablues.com/tag/dustmite/
Take care!
Mei