Seeing a specialist

Eczema is a very common condition, so your child's doctor or nurse will see lots of children with it and they are ideally place to care for children with mild to moderate eczema.

However, when they feel it is necessary, they may call on the support of another member of the healthcare team who have more specialist knowledge of eczema and other skin conditions.

There are several types of specialist:

A dermatology specialist nurse
A GP with a special interest in skin (they are sometimes called a GPwSI)
A consultant dermatologist

Your doctor or nurse is likely to refer your child to a specialist if:

Although there are several reasons why your child's doctor or nurse might refer your child to a specialist, if you (or your child) feel that their eczema is not controlled, you can ask to be referred.

They are not sure that your child’s skin problem is atopic (allergic) eczema
The way your child interacts with other people is being affected or if your child is emotionally distressed
Your child's eczema is getting infected regularly
They suspect your child has a food allergy and your child's eczema is moderate or severe
Your child is growing more slowly than expected

If your doctor or nurse thinks your child has eczema herpeticum they will refer you to a specialist on the same day (and they will start to treat your child immediately).

Living with eczema » « Other treatments available to your child