Emollients are best applied after washing your hands, taking a bath or showering because this is when the skin most needs moisture. Your doctor or pharmacist will talk to you about which type of emollient will work best for your skin condition. The emollient should be applied as soon as you have patted your skin dry to make sure it's properly absorbed. Skin reactions

You can buy emollients from a pharmacy without a prescription. If the skin condition is severe, talk to a GP, nurse or health visitor, as you may need a stronger treatment.

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Emollients are moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe and hydrate it. They cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture. If you or your children need to use an emollient regularly, it's a good idea to keep some in small pots or tubes at home, school or work. How to use emollients How to use emollients on your skin

Treatments Find every kind of best treatment near you, We British Chemist UK online pharmacy retailer and registered pharmacy with the MHRA and GPhC. An audit of children attending a paediatric dermatology clinic recorded the proportion of immediate cutaneous reactions to emollients (defined as one or more of burning, stinging, itching and redness developing within 20 minutes of application). Aqueous cream was the emollient used by most (71%), which was associated with an immediate cutaneous reaction in 56% of exposures, compared with 18% with other emollients used (details of the other emollients were not reported; n = 100). This product can make skin and surfaces slippery after use. As a result, patients should be advised to take care following use, especially when entering or leaving the bath/shower. 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 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.

Be careful not to slip when using emollients in a bath or shower, or on a tiled floor. Protect the floor with a non-slip mat, towel or sheet. Wear protective gloves, wash your bath or shower afterwards with hot water and washing-up liquid, then dry with a kitchen towel. Skin irritation from aqueous cream Emollients are often used to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and ichthyosis. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to a GP, nurse or pharmacist. Safety advice when using emollients Fire safety Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have an underlying medical condition, are taking any other medication or complementary therapy, or if symptoms persist 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