RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Emollients, education and quality of life: the RCPCH care pathway for children with eczema JF Archives of Disease in Childhood JO Arch Dis Child FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP i19 OP i24 DO 10.1136/archdischild-2011-300695 VO 96 IS Suppl 2 A1 Helen Cox A1 Kate Lloyd A1 Hywel Williams A1 Peter D Arkwright A1 Trevor Brown A1 Christine Clark A1 Margaret Campbell A1 Claudia Gore A1 Catherine Hardman A1 Andrew Langford A1 Sue Lewis-Jones A1 Sandra Lawton A1 Matthew Ridd A1 Lucia Russell A1 Dalbir Sohi A1 Rosemary Turnbull A1 Carina Venter A1 John O Warner YR 2011 UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/96/Suppl_2/i19.abstract AB Objectives The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Science and Research Department was commissioned by the Department of Health to develop national care pathways for children with allergies. The eczema pathway focuses on defining the competences to improve the equity of care received by children with eczema. Method The eczema pathway was developed by a multidisciplinary working group and was based on a comprehensive review of evidence. The pathway was reviewed by a broad group of stakeholders including paediatricians, allergists, dermatologists, specialist nurses, dietician, patients' representatives and approved by the Allergy Care Pathways Project Board and the RCPCH Clinical Standards Committee. It was also reviewed by a wide range of stakeholders. Results The results are presented in three sections: the evidence review, mapping and the core knowledge document. The various entry points to the ideal pathway of care are defined from self-care through to follow-up. There is considerable emphasis on good skin care and when allergy problems should be dealt with. The pathway algorithm and associated competences can be downloaded from http://www.rcpch.ac.uk/allergy/eczema. Conclusions Effective eczema management is holistic and encompasses an assessment of severity and impact on quality of life, treatment of the inflamed epidermal skin barrier, recognition and treatment of infection and assessment and management of environmental and allergy triggers. Patient and family education which seeks to maximise understanding and concordance with treatment is also important in all children with eczema.