Parental education in the treatment of childhood atopic eczema

Abstract

To evaluate the role of health education in the treatment of childhood atopic eczema, an eczema school was arranged for the parents. Fifty consecutive patients (aged 4 months - 6 years 2 months) with atopic eczema of varying severity were randomly assigned into two groups; one group receiving routine information given by the physician during the medical visit, and the other group also visiting a trained nurse to receive further information on eczema treatment and practical training in controlling atopic eczema. The therapeutic effect was better in the group which had received extra guidance. We suggest that systematic training in eczema treatment should be organised as an important part of eczema treatment.