EczemaZones - Patient and Carer Zone
Using topical steroids with confidence
When your child's eczema flares they will need more than just their emollient alone to clear it up. Topical steroids (their full name is topical corticosteroids) are applied to the skin to help control inflammation and calm sore skin. Many people worry about using topical steroids, but if you know how to apply them properly then they are perfectly safe to use.
What you need to know?
Your doctor or nurse should talk to you about how you can spot when your child's eczema flares up. They should make sure that you have all the information you need, and the right treatments, so that you can 'step up' your child's treatment when you need to.
- Topical steroids are usually prescribed in cream or ointment format
- They also come in different strengths (referred to as potencies)
- Mild
- Moderate
- Potent
- Very potent – these should not be prescribed to children
- As a general rule the potency of the topical steroid your doctor or nurse prescribes will match the severity of your child's eczema – so if your child's eczema is mild, you'll be given a mild topical steroid to use
- But skin is more delicate on certain parts of the body (like the face and groin) than others, so you're likely to be given a milder topical steroid if your child's eczema is in a delicate area
- You may also be given more than one topical steroid if patches of eczema on your child's body vary in how severe each one is – for example, one part of the body may need a mild topical steroid, whilst another may need a moderately potent one
- Topical steroids should be used as soon as your child's eczema flares up and until the flare-up has cleared, when your child's treatment will 'step down' to just their emollient alone
- Always apply your child's steroid as directed by your doctor or nurse
How to apply their topical steroid
- Topical steroids should be applied just once or twice a day
- You will only need to apply a very small amount of any topical steroid and only to areas of active eczema (areas of itchy, red, inflamed skin, which may also be broken)
- Finger tip units can be a useful way to measure how much you need – remember to use child sized finger tips as this matches the size of their body
- If your child is old enough you and your healthcare team can teach them to apply their own topical steroids
The difference between emollients and topical steroids
It is important that both you and your child understand the difference between how each should be used, so you can apply topical steroids safely and effectively. Your child needs to use their emollient frequently and regularly, and put on lots and lots of it. They will need to do the opposite with their topical steroid – use it only when their eczema flares up, and only in very small amounts.
Emollients and topical steroids are very different treatments and they are designed to do very different things:
- Your child's emollient will moisturise, sooth and protect their skin
- Your child's topical steroid (or steroids if you've been given more than one) will reduce inflammation to control eczema when it flares up
Why not download our useful reminder guide on using topical steroids correctly and effectively.
Other treatments available to your child » « Building a daily emollient routine