Ointments, creams, lotions and gels

Your doctor or nurse should offer your child a selection of small tubes of unperfumed emollient so that you can trial these at home and select the one that you prefer. They will then prescribe larger quantities of your chosen emollient. Once a year, they should check that the emollients your child is using are still suitable.

Top tip

If your child loves swimming but avoids the pool when their eczema flares up using a combination of emollients can help. An ointment will stick to their skin in water, protecting it from chlorine. Afterwards, they can shower using a cream or wash product and finally moisturise their skin with their favourite cream, lotion or gel.

Emollients come in all kinds of formats. Ointments are the most effective type because they are able to moisturise skin for longer than creams, lotions and gels. But they are also heavier and greasier which may or may not be suitable.

Your doctor or nurse will talk to you about the options and your child may be given a combination of different emollients to help avoid using products that may contain allergens or irritants – this is called 'complete emollient therapy'.

For moisturising – ointments, creams, lotions or gels
As a soap substitute – creams
For use in the bath or shower – emollient bath and/or shower additives

Building a daily emollient routine » « Getting to grips with your child's emollient