13.5.1 Preparations for eczema

General Guidance

• General measures should include avoidance of provoking factors such as soap and detergents, irritating clothing and extremes of temperature.
• In mild eczema, bland emollients are often all that are needed to reduce irritation and permit healing.
• In general, potent steroids should be avoided in children.
• Corticosteroids under occlusive dressings may be useful in lesions resistant to topical corticosteroids.
• Systemic antibiotics should be considered when managing acute exacerbations of eczema.
• Coal tar has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and keratolytic properties.
• Sedating systemic antihistamines may be useful in combating itching.
• In crusting and wheeping eczema, the crust should be removed using tepid water baths and bath oil.
• In weeping eczema, wet dressings of potassium permanganate (0.01%) should be applied.

​Recommended drugs

Emollients - see 13.2 - click here

Topical corticosteroids - see 13.4 - click here

Coal tar preparations

Skin Psoriderm

Capasal shampoo (coal tar 1%, coconut oil 1%, salicylic acid 0.5%)

Scalp-cocois

Alphosyl HC cream

Wet dressings (under specialist advice)

Potassium Permanganate solution 0.01%

Drug Traffic Light Key:

Green – On Formulary

Amber – Restricted use, see local guidelines      

Purple – Specialist use/initiation

Red – Non Formulary

Relative Costs Key (where indicated):

£££££ - high

£££ - moderate

£ - low