Practical aspects of caring for a child with atopic eczema: education and diet. The role of cooperation among medical staff and patients and their parents. Education and diet

Abstract Atopic eczema (or atopic dermatitis, AD) has a great impact on the quality of life of the affected person as well as the whole family. Hospitalization may be required during exacerbations of the disease. Basic skin care is just as important as pharmacological treatment during acute and chronic stage. Everyday use of emollients is recommended to avoid the recurrence of the disease. In certain cases dietary interventions such as food elimination may be beneficial. Education about the condition should be provided by well educated medical staff both for caregivers and patients. In this paper we discuss educational and dietary standards of management of atopic dermatitis according to current medical knowledge.