Emollients are good for most skin types, the one exception being those with naturally very oily skin, notes Greenfield. In this case, emollients, particularly heavy, oil-rich products, can potentially be too heavy and lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Bath emollients are oils or emulsifiers designed to disperse in the bath, and are best used in conjunction with other moisturisers including leave-on products.

Lotions are good for hairy or damaged areas of skin (such as weeping eczema – where pus is seeping out of damaged areas of skin). This is because lotions are thin and spread easily, but they're not very moisturising. Sprays The active ingredients in this product are benzalkonium chloride (0.1% w/w), chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (0.1% w/w), liquid paraffin (2.5% w/w) and isopropyl myristate (2.5% w/w). Take the stress and hard work out of applying your emollient, with Emollin’s handy spray on application.Tell their healthcare professional if they normally smoke, as they can offer help and advice to stop smoking.

Protect your hands with emollient (and perhaps wear gloves) before handling substances such as sand, certain foods, paint and clay, so they don’t irritate your skin. Remember to use a spoon to decant emollient from any tubs you may be using. If you dip your fingers into a tub, it can easily become contaminated with bacteria. A metal dessert spoon is good for decanting emollient and washes well under the tap. If you’re using pump handle dispensers for your emollients, you don’t need to decant – you can just pump the emollient onto your hand (avoid touching the nozzle). It may help to apply an emollient before and after swimming. Leave enough time for it to be absorbed into your skin before you swim. Your doctor or pharmacist will talk to you about which type of emollient will work best for your skin condition. Julie Van Onselen, Dermatology Nurse Adviser to NES, says: For people on the autistic spectrum or with sensory processing issues, managing eczema can be a real challenge. It is not uncommon for children and adults alike to have heightened or reduced sensitivity to sights, sounds, taste, smells, textures and touch. Adults with sensory issues have said that even a gentle touch can feel like fire or barbed wire, so it’s important to find the best solution.Changes in the skin's normal ecological environment, in or on the skin, can also support the overgrowth of pathological organisms. [9] Allergens [ edit ] prevent the skin-drying and irritant effects that can be caused by washing and bathing and by the soaps, foaming additives and fragrances used in ordinary skin cleansing products. Oatmeal is found in some lotions, creams and bath oils. It has antioxidant properties. Washing with emollients (baths and showers) Use your emollient of choice frequently. This should be at least twice a day, and every few hours when the eczema is flaring or the skin is very dry. It’s recommended that an adult uses at least 500g per week when the eczema is affecting a large area of the body (at least 250g for a child). Please see our information here on obtaining an emollient that works well for you, in sufficient quantities, on prescription. Emollients and sensory differences

Publishing, Harvard Health (February 2008). "Moisturizers: Do they work?". Harvard Health . Retrieved 31 December 2020.The emollient products are not flammable in, or of themselves. However, they act as an accelerant, increasing the speed of ignition and intensity of the fire when fabric with residue dried on it is ignited. Review of new evidence If your son has a flare, he may be prescribed a short burst of topical steroids too. These are only applied once daily, so you could try and do this when he is asleep. However, sleep can be a challenge for children on the autistic spectrum, too, so if this causes problems do talk to your GP or dermatologist. If the problems are ongoing, an occupational therapist could provide strategies to help your son. In patients with eczema, use of moisturisers and emollients may be sufficient to control mild disease and eliminate symptoms; reduce severity of flare-ups; and reduce requirements for topical steroids.