Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service

Eczema Action Plan
URN: Enter text FIN: Enter text Surname: Enter text Given name: Enter text Address: Enter text Date of birth: Enter text Sex: ☐ F ☐ M ☐ I
Eczema is a skin condition that needs regular care. It can’t be cured, but simple daily steps can help keep skin healthy, reduce flare-ups, and speed up healing.
EVERYDAY TREATMENT
Moisturise My moisturiser is: Click here to enter text Minimum twice a day, increase to 6 or more times when flaring	Bath My soap free wash is: Click here to enter text Used daily in a lukewarm bath or shower	Other treatment My treatment bath is: Select or enter Once or twice a week
AVOID all skincare products with natural oils, food, plant or animal by-products in them as these can be very irritating for children with eczema
When flaring, add in
FLARE TREATMENT
Face / Neck / Genitals Apply Select or enter treatment Select or enter frequency Select or enter duration	Body Apply Select or enter treatment Select or enter frequency Select or enter duration	Scalp Apply (enter) (enter frequency) THEN: As soon as you see more eczema appear, reapply OR step down to: Apply (enter) until clear
THEN: As soon as you see more eczema appear, reapply OR step down to: Apply (enter) until clear	THEN: As soon as you see more eczema appear, reapply OR step down to: Apply (enter) until clear
SUPERCHARGE YOUR TREATMENT
Treatment Baths Select or enter Select or enter frequency	Wet Wraps To affected areas during flares Select or enter frequency
Other: Click here to enter text

Eczema Information / FAQ’s / Tips and Tricks

Moisturiser Which moisturiser should I use? Creams and ointments are best. Avoid lotions as they are too thin and can sting. Avoid dipping hands into tubs of creams or ointments to minimise bacterial overgrowth. Use a spoon to remove what you need.	Baths & Showers What should I use to clean my child in a bath or shower? Use a soap free wash, bath oil or aqueous cream cleanser. Aqueous cream cleanser is particularly good for kids with very dry skin or those that struggle to get into a bath or shower because of stinging. Aqueous cream cleanser is applied to the body prior to getting in the bath and washed off like a soap once in the bath. It is not intended to be left on the skin. It can be purchased from chemists and some supermarkets. Why should I use a treatment bath? They are used to enhance the effectiveness of the steroid and can provide both antimicrobial and antibacterial effects on the skin. How often should I have a treatment bath? Twice a week when skin is good and daily when flaring. What if I don’t have a bath? You can do a bleach shower! Add 0.6mls of unscented household bleach to 500mls of soap free wash (or 1.2mls of bleach to 1L of soap free wash). Shake and use as normal. Can siblings go in these baths? Yes! However, if you suspect your child’s eczema is infected, we recommend they bathe separately. Do I need to rinse my child off after these baths? No, you do not need to rinse off after. Can I add bath oil or soap free wash to these baths? Yes, you can. Recipes Condy’s crystal baths (potassium permanganate): fill the bath to your normal level and add a very tiny pinch of the crystals (less than a pinch of salt). It should be a very (VERY) light colour pink. You can buy Condy’s crystals from most chemists, no script is required. Bleach and salt baths: Add 12mls of unscented, household bleach AND 1/3 cup of salt to every 10 litres of water. Any salt is fine, we recommend pool salt as it’s the most economical, available from pool shops or Bunnings. These baths are ten times LESS strong than a swimming pool, so very safe.
Topical Steroids How much steroid should I use? Use the fingertip method as a guide: 1 adult fingertip will cover 2 adult size hands of redness. Ensure a nice glossy application to all areas of active eczema – this includes the rough areas! Can I apply a steroid to face/eyes? Yes, but as the skin is thinner on the eyelids a milder steroid will generally be prescribed. Can I apply steroid to raw or scratched skin? Yes, but ointment-based steroids are preferred, as they will not sting.
Wet Wraps What are wet wraps? They are the application of one wet layer, followed by one dry layer of clothing, after the application of steroid cream and moisturiser. They help to relieve the itch, provide moisture to the skin and enhance the effectiveness of the steroid. What do I use to do wet wraps? Use any tight-fitting cotton clothing for your wet layer like onesies, tights and long sleeve tops. Alternatively, you can purchase specialised garments or use tubi-grip for spot treatments. How do I do a wet wrap? After applying steroid and moisturiser, wet the clothes under the tap and wring them out slightly (so not dripping, but still very wet). Dress your child in them, then put on a loose, dry layer to help lock in moisture. How long should I keep the wet wraps on for? Overnight is great, but as little as an hour is beneficial. Is it safe for my child to sleep in a wet wrap? It’s perfectly safe, even in winter, as the wet wraps warm to body temperature within a few minutes.
Sunscreen Which sunscreen should I use? Fragrance-free mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide are recommended, as these physically block UV rays. Alternatively use a fragrance free, chemical sunscreen for sensitive skin.