Parents and Children with AD Prioritize Different Aspects of Emollients

A study published in the British Journal of General Practice found that children with eczema and their parents evaluate emollients based on different aspects and there is no universal type for each patient.

Researchers aimed to identify how parents and children experience and evaluate emollients in a qualitative interview study that was a part of the primary care Best Emollients for Eczema, or BEE, trial. Children with eczema and their parents were given semi-structured interviews that sampled emollient type, age, and eczema severity. The 4 types of emollients are lotion, cream, gel, and ointment.

A total of 44 parents were interviewed and children participated in 24 of those interviews. The surveys did not show a preference toward the type of emollient, and variation of experience in each type was the strongest theme. Thickness, absorbency, effectiveness, and acceptability were considered when evaluating an emollient, but effectiveness was the primary factor in continued use.

“There is no one emollient that is suitable for everyone, and parents/children prioritize different aspects of emollients,” concluded the study authors. “Future research could evaluate decision aids and/or tester pots of different types, which could enable clinicians and parents/children to work collaboratively to identify the best emollient for them.”

Reference
Sutton E, Shaw AR, Ridd MJ, et al. How parents and children evaluate emollients for childhood eczema: a qualitative study. Br J Gen Pract. Published online May 26, 2022. doi:10.3399/BJGP.2021.0630