Parents’ experiences Resources

Childhood eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that affects millions of children worldwide. The condition is characterised by dry, itchy, and inflamed patches of skin that can appear anywhere on the body. While the physical symptoms of eczema are often the focus of treatment, the condition can also have
a significant impact on a child’s emotional wellbeing. Added to this, the strain that it can put on families in terms of loss of sleep, time off work, financial and time of managing a chronic condition, and sibling jealousy of attention given to the child with eczema can mean that the stresses of eczema are shared by the whole family, not just the affected child. This article examines these issues further with recommendations for how the emotional impact of eczema may be more effectively managed.

The impact skin disease has on the psychological wellbeing, social functioning and everyday activities of patients and their families and carers is often trivialised and given low priority. The quality of life of people with skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic eczema and acne can be significantly impaired, and such impairment can be greater at times than for life-threatening conditions such as cancers (Schofield et al, 2009). Living with a family member with a skin condition impacts on many aspects of life, with issues such as leisure time (26%), social life (48%) and holidays (46%) highlighted as adversely affecting family life (Basra and Findlay, 2007). This paper provides practical advice and guidance that general practice nurses (GPNs) can give parents when planning leisure and holiday time with their children.

This article is intended to give some insights into the perspective of a carer of a child with eczema and to offer practical advice on how general practice nurses (GPNs) can effectively help patients with this debilitating skin condition. Eczema can have a negative impact both on self-esteem and quality of life for patients and carers. The long-term, sometimes lifelong nature of eczema, means that patients need to be educated in how to care for their skin. GPNs can advise patients and carers about how best to self-manage this disorder, which in turn can help them to cope.