Pediatric Eczema Management: Diagnosis and Nursing Care Guide

1 Pediatric Clinical Assignment Name Course Institution

2 Medical Diagnosis: Eczema (atopic dermatitis) and allergies in a pediatric patient Definition of Diagnosis Unlike other conditions, there is no lab test needed to identify Eczema (atopic dermatitis). In most cases, the healthcare provider diagnoses this condition by reviewing a person’s medical history and examining their skin (Thomsen, 2014). The provider may also utilize patch testing or other tests in ruling out other skin conditions or identifying the conditions that have accompanied eczema. It is crucial to note that Eczema is a long-term, chronic skin condition that is common in children and babies. This condition usually appears between 3 and 6 months. The risk of developing this condition usually increases if a child has allergies or is born into a family with a history of atopic dermatitis. Some of the common symptoms associated with this condition include redness, dryness, and itching skin. Although the exact cause of this condition is not known, some things have been linked to it including genes, an underdeveloped immune system, and external factors such as hot temperatures and winter weather (Thomsen, 2014). Medical Treatments For patients diagnosed with Atopic Dermatitis, the treatment goals are to ease inflammation and itching of the skin, prevent infection, and increase moisture. The treatment of this condition largely depends on the child’s symptoms, age, and general health as well as the severity of the condition. It is crucial to note that there is no cure for eczema hence it is controlled through good skincare (Frazier & Bhardwaj, 2020). Therefore, the treatment of this condition includes bathing with body wash or gentle cleaner as advised by the doctor, staying away from allergies or irritants as advised by the doctor, and using the recommended moisturizing lotion. Some medications may be prescribed that can be used alone or together. The

3 most common medications include antibiotic medicine, corticosteroid ointment or cream, antihistamine, phototherapy, immunomodulatory medicine, and Calcineurin ointment or inhibitor cream (Frazier & Bhardwaj, 2020). For instance, corticosteroid ointment or cream helps in controlling itching and helps in the repair of the skin. However, the overuse of this drug results in various side effects such as thinning skin. Oral antibiotics are also used to fight bacterial infections. For severe eczema, FDA has recently approved the usage of injectable biologic commonly known as Dupixent or Dupilumab. This drug is also used to treat patients who show no response to other treatment options (Frazier & Bhardwaj, 2020). All these medications have their respective side effects Nursing Care The nursing care for patients diagnosed with eczema (atopic dermatitis) involves treating the atopic lesions by eliminating all allergens and avoiding humidity changes, extreme temperatures, irritants, and other factors. The role of the nurses is to teach the client how to properly apply topical medications. Other roles include identifying the aggravating factors, assessing the skin integrity, and ensuring patient adopt appropriate skincare routines that reduces skin irritation (Van Os-Medendorp et al., 2020). Nurses are also tasked with ensuring that their patients avoid aggravating factors with lifestyle changes resulting in reduced triggers. Notably, nurses should prepare patients for photochemotherapy or pathotherapy to promote skin healing and increase the sensitivity of the skin to light.

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4 References Frazier, W. T., & Bhardwaj, N. (2020). Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis and treatment. American family physician , 101 (10), 590-598. Thomsen, S. F. (2014). Atopic dermatitis: natural history, diagnosis, and treatment. International Scholarly Research Notices , 2014 . Van Os-Medendorp, H., Deprez, E., Maes, N., Ryan, S., Jackson, K., Winders, T. ... & Ersser, S. (2020). The role of the nurse in the care and management of patients with atopic dermatitis. Bmc Nursing, 19(1), 1-10.

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