Author response

Dr Michael makes the very astute observation that, despite emollients forming the cornerstone of all guidelines and recommendations regarding the treatment of (atopic) eczema/dermatitis, the evidence base for their effectiveness is limited. He may be interested in the recently published Cochrane review by van Zureen and colleagues,¹ which, although limited by the quality and relevance of published trials to NHS general practice, does provide some reassurance that moisturisation is effective. What there is even less certainty about is whether one emollient is clinically or more cost-effective than another, and linked to this the acceptability of different types of emollients (lotion, cream, gel, and ointment being the main ones) to patients and their carers. This is the subject of an ongoing NIHR HTA-funded trial (‘Best Emollient for Eczema’, www.bristol.ac.uk/bee-study), due to report in late 2020.

• © British Journal of General Practice 2018