Online support improved eczema symptoms in children and young people

Access to a website which supports self-management of eczema led to less severe eczema symptoms. Research found that parents of children with eczema, and young people with the condition, both benefitted. People with eczema can have dry, itchy, cracked and sore skin. This common long-term condition can have a substantial impact on quality of life. Parents or carers, and young people themselves, may struggle to avoid triggers for eczema, and can find treatments complicated. People with eczema say they receive insufficient or conflicting information. Website content was based on evidence and expert consensus, and developed by researchers working with expert clinicians and people with eczema; users gave extensive feedback during development. Interactive elements include a quiz, videos, stories and advice from others with eczema. One version of the website is aimed at parents and carers of children with eczema; another for young people starting to self-manage their eczema. The team conducted randomised controlled trials to test each version. All children and young people received usual eczema treatments. In addition, half were given access to a standard website providing information about eczema, the others had access to the new website. Both trials found that those with access to the new website had greater improvements in symptoms after 24 weeks, this benefit was sustained at 1 year. Improvements were small but significant. The researchers say the websites increased the conf...
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news