AproDerm ® emollients can be used before bathing (known as pre-bathing) to protect the skin from the drying effects of bathing. As with all emollients, before applying AproDerm ® Emollient Cream for the first time, patients should test it on a small area of skin and leave for 48 hours. If there is no reaction or irritation they can then apply all over the affected area. This limits any potential reaction to a small area. Emollients such as AproDerm ® form the basis of managing dry skin conditions, irrespective of severity. However, patient adherence is crucial to successful emollient therapy. Patients should be encouraged to use their emollient liberally and frequently, at least 2-4 times a day. Very dry skin may require applications every 2-3 hours or the use of a more sophisticated emollient with a longer TEWL factor such as AproDerm ® Colloidal Oat Cream. Some people only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread inflamed skin all over the body.

Use AproDerm ® emollients before bathing (pre-bathing) to help alleviate the drying effects of bathing. Apply AproDerm ® Gel regularly, liberally and frequently using gentle strokes and following the direction of hair growth to keep your skin soft and moisturised. Safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding as AproDerm ® Colloidal Oat Cream is unlikely to have any ill effects when used as directed, however if you are unsure feel free to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. AproDerm ® emollients should be applied regularly, liberally and as frequently as required so that your patients skin is protected and hydrated.Because of the greasiness of ointments, some patients may deem them cosmetically unacceptable and be reluctant to use them, however according to NICE guidelines/ta81, the “greasier the emollient the better” 1. To increase compliance, encourage your patients to use the ointment at night time and complement this with an emollient cream or gel during the day. For maximum effectiveness leave a thin layer of AproDerm ®on the skin to soak in (the skin should glisten) – this can take about 10 minutes. Apply AproDermOintment regularly, liberallyand frequently(at least 3 times a day) to the affected area usinggentle strokesand following thedirection of hair growth.

Free from SLS, parabens, fragrances and colours, these unnecessary additives can irritate delicate and vulnerable skin If you're using a steroid cream or another treatment for your skin condition, wait 20 to 30 minutes between using an emollient and using the other treatment. Ask a doctor which one to use first. Frequency of application will be determined by severity of the condition and whether more than one emollient is being used. As a general guide it is recommended that AproDerm ® Colloidal Oat Cream is applied as often as required as well as during and after bathing to alleviate the drying effects of bathing. Use a clean spoon or spatula to remove emollients from a pot or tub. This reduces the risk of infections from contaminated pots. Risk of slipping AproDerm Colloidal Oat Cream, a light, paraffin-free emollient which has all the benefits of colloidal oat including protecting and restoring the skin barrier, soothing the itch, irritation and redness associated with dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, as well as having humectant properties and maintaining the skin’s normal pH. As well as being a moisturiser it can also be used as an effective soap substitute, to prevent the skin from drying out further.If your skin stings after using an emollient wash product and does not settle after rinsing, ask a pharmacist to recommend a different product. Using emollients with other skin treatments Emollients are often used to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and ichthyosis.

AproDerm ® Ointment should not be prescribed if the patient has a known allergy or sensitivity to any of the listed ingredients Emollient soap substitutes that are used instead of normal soap in the bath or shower are not usually available on the NHS. How to get emollients You may need to experiment with different emollients or try a combination. For example, you may decide to use a cream during the day and an ointment at night. How to wash with emollients

Types of emollients

an overheating, burning sensation or stinging that does not settle after a few days of treatment – usually caused by a reaction to a certain ingredient in the emollient