Page 44 - Demo

42 SKIN MATTERS FROM PAGE 41 as overheating is important”. “Overheating can dry the skin and can make itching and eczema worse,” she said. “\\\[It’s also important to\\\] avoid triggers, like allergies, that can make the skin worse as well.” Adding to Mr Quigley’s recommendations around the importance of cleansing and moisturising, Dr Yip advises using “proper moisturisers” that are “lighter in consistency, that may be more suited for the warmer months” and “thicker, greasier moisturisers more suited for the winter months”. “So, it’s good to have two or three different moisturisers at home that can \\\[be used\\\] at different times of the year and when the eczema is present, or when the skin is really dry or not so dry,” she said. “The other thing that’s important for eczema is the inflammation component. They really need to use an anti- inflammatory treatment, and it tends to be prescription topical steroids. “There’s a lot of phobia out there about using topical steroids, but remember that steroids don’t tend to thin the skin if used properly under medical supervision.” For heat rashes, she emphasises keeping cool: “not overdressing the children”. Dr Yip says heat rashes “can go away on their own” but that “sometimes the skin can get a bit itchy, a bit irritated, and \\\[in these instances\\\] using calamine lotion is quite good \\\[which\\\] contains zinc ... We don’t tend to recommend calamine lotion as a moisturiser generally or for most skin conditions, but it tends to be a good one to use for” heat rashes “because it dries the moisture”. Nutrition: the role of vitamins and minerals Fertility and Prenatal Dietitian Melanie McGrice says the most common skin conditions she sees are “eczema and allergies in infants and younger children, and acne in teens”. “Skin conditions are often an external reflection of what’s occurring internally,” she said. “Inflammation is a common cause of a variety of skin conditions, so an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fats and antioxidants from coloured fruits and vegetables can play an important role.” Ms McGrice continued: “Emerging research suggests that maternal nutrition during pregnancy plays a pivotal role in a child’s risk of eczema and rashes caused by food allergies. “In particular, a healthy gut microbiome, vitamin D and omega-3 fats have been identified as key in the prevention of atopic conditions. “Atopic conditions can be triggered by a deficiency or toxicity of key nutrients. For example, emerging research suggests a role for vitamin D and or zinc supplementation in those who are deficient. “However, it’s about having the right amount of nutrition ... not too little, not too much. “In those who are deficient in particular nutrients, supplements can assist in meeting requirements. In those who are taking supplements that are triggering an imbalance, ceasing supplements may be helpful.” Mr Quigley says the skin “needs a range of things” to function at an optimum level – such as zinc, omega-3, vitamin D, B vitamins and iron. “Now, in theory, we get these things from our food,” he said, adding that part of the questioning in the pharmacy should include asking about the child’s diet. “What sort of food choices does the child have?” he said. “Do they eat green leafy vegetables? Do they eat anything in the fruit and vegetable range? What protein do they eat? These things are all important. “It’s important to understand what the underlying cause is, and addressing that, and fixing that in the simplest possible way without going to a whole range of powerful steroid options \\\[immediately\\\] to treat \\\[the skin condition\\\]. “Let’s just gently restore the skin to as normal as possible.” On the role of complementary nutrition products in the management of skin conditions in children, Dr Yip says there is “very little evidence to suggest that nutritional supplements in children help to prevent” the common skin conditions. “There’s some evidence that pregnant women who take probiotics during pregnancy may reduce the risk of eczema in their children,” she said, “\\\[but\\\] that’s the only thing that I would suggest, \\\[although\\\] that’s not the standard advice for everybody.” Reference: 1. McDonald C. ‘The skin is a very important (and our largest) organ: what does it do?’, The Conversation, 2018. Available at: theconversation.com/the-skin-is- a-very-important-and-our-largest-organ-what-does-it- do-91515 \\\[Accessed 20/1/21\\\]. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • FEB 2021 For more information around nutrition for managing childhood skin conditions, visit Ms McGrice’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/NourishWithMelanie