Parent’s and Carer’s guide
This guide is designed to help you and your child get the most out of the programme.
Kids in Control has been co-designed with children with itchy eczema.
The programme is divided into 3 parts which are best done a week apart.
It is a different type of programme to others your child may have tried.
Itching (the sensation) and scratching (the behaviour) are both difficult to manage when you have eczema and can impact daily life and sleep.
Overview
Your child can benefit from this programme if they have itchy skin and want to try to reduce scratching and damage to their skin.
To really benefit you need to do this programme together with your child.
Overview
Kids in Control is a behaviour modification programme designed to help notice itching and scratching and then reduce a behaviour (the scratching) which damages the skin and causes more itching.
Part 1 helps you and your child really understand eczema and when to use the creams/ointments you have been given.
Part 2 explains the itch-scratch cycle and how to help you and your child notice and record their scratching.
Part 3 explains other things your child can do when they notice their itchy skin instead of scratching.
The programme is divided into 3 parts which are best done a week apart:
Each part will take 15-20 minutes to go through together.
About the structure
Decide a time and a quiet place to go through the Kids in Control programme together.
Talk through anything that your child doesn’t understand or any concerns that they may have.
Check this is something that they would like to try.
It is best to keep to the same day each week.
How to best support your child
Reassure them that you are there all the time to support them.
Download the booklet provided so that you can document scratching on week 2 for 1 hour after school and 1 hour at the weekend.
Praise your child often when they start noticing their itching or scratching.
Try not to say “stop scratching” to your child.
How to best support your child
It can help with motivation to make/use a star chart together and to reward noticing itchy skin and recording scratches.
Help your child choose if they would like to use a hand held clicker counter or a phone App on your or their phone (if they have one).
Talk together about times that their skin is particularly itchy (Part 2) and support your child to write these down in their booklet.
Talk about the different tools and things they can try (Part 3) instead of scratching and encourage your child to use these.
How to best support your child
Choose fidget toys together, if this is something they would like to try.
Doing this programme together and giving your child lots of praise and stars really helps them get the most benefit from it.
Remember eczema and itchy skin goes up and down so you may need to remind your child what to do if their skin flares.
How to best support your child
Part 1 will teach your child about how to use their moisturising creams and their flare control creams.
Here we have put together some top tips for parents to help your child get the most out of these creams.
Golden rules for using eczema treatments
Golden rules of moisturising creams (emollients)
What are they for?
Stop eczema flare-ups by keeping out things that may irritate the skin.
Make the skin soft by locking water in the skin.
Stop itching.
These creams are used to keep control of eczema. They help to:
Most people with eczema will need to use moisturising creams every day.
Golden rules of moisturising creams (emollients)
When?
Usually they need to be used at least once a day. The drier your child's skin is, the more often you should use a moisturising cream.
How often?
The drier your child's skin is, the more often you should use a moisturising cream.
Golden rules of moisturising creams (emollients)
How much to apply?
Put on a thick layer. Moisturising creams cannot be overused.
How long for?
Always. Use moisturising creams even when your child's skin is clear will prevent flare-
ups in the future.
Golden rules of moisturising creams (emollients)
Are they safe?
Yes. Moisturising creams are very safe. They are used by millions of people with eczema across the world. Sometimes people find they irritate or sting. You may need to find one that works for your child.
Golden rules of using flare control creams (usually steroid creams)
What are they for?
Used to treat sore and itchy skin
Normally prescribed and are usually steroid creams (topical corticosteroids). Sometimes
they are TCIs (Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors)
These creams are used to get control of eczema. They are:
Most people with eczema will need to use moisturising creams at some point.
When?
Use them as soon as there is a flare-up.
How often?
During a flare-up, apply a thin layer once a day until the eczema is under control.
Golden rules of using flare control creams (usually steroid creams)
How much to apply?
As a rough guide, put on a thin layer, just enough to cover the eczema flare area.
How long for?
Use them for two days after the eczema is under control. If you need to use flare control creams for longer than 3 or 4 weeks, then it would be good to discuss this with a health professional.
Golden rules of using flare control creams (usually steroid creams)
Are they safe?
Yes. Studies show that flare control creams are safe when used following the instructions above. They should be applied to the affected skin only. They are usually used for just a few days or weeks at a time.
Golden rules of using flare control creams (usually steroid creams)
Thanks for reading the Parent's and Carer's guide!
You might want to bookmark this guide to come back to it throughout the programme.
