Page 6 - Rash Talk Magazine - Issue - One

Top Tips to Combat Itch the full
Watch

A Rash Talk® Dermatology Question Time webinar webinar
here:

Itch is a major concern for patients • Using cool, damp towels on the
with skin conditions, and this was skin if it feels hot Menthol Strength Guide
reflected in a recent Rash Talk® • Having short, lukewarm baths • 0.5% recommended for
Dermatology Question Time webinar. rather than hot baths or showers children/elderly people/
The constant feeling of needing to • Keeping nails short vulnerable skin
scratch can be draining – not to • 1% general pruritus/starting
mention painful – so it’s little surprise • Wearing cotton or silk clothes point for most adults
the panel faced plenty of questions • Using emollients regularly • 2% or 5% for increasing
on the topic. • Using apps or star charts as severity of itchy skin
The meeting was chaired by the positive ways to track and reward Methoderm should only be used on
British Dermatological Nursing when patients don’t itch. infants below 2 years under the direction
Group’s outgoing President, Rebecca However, one of her most useful tips of a clinician.
Penzer-Hick, and featured several was to use antihistamines around
experts including Dermatology Nurse bedtime. She said: “Get the patient to distinguishing the symptoms. “In many
Consultant Fiona Elliott, Pharmacist Rod take their antihistamine at least two inflammatory skin conditions – eczema,
Tucker, Dermatologist Dr James Britton, hours before they go to bed, especially psoriasis and so on – you have skin
and Angelika Razzaque, a GP and on a night where they tend to be signs. There is redness, there is scaling,
Associate Specialist in Dermatology. itching or scratching more.” there might be hyperpigmentation
or lichenification. You see there is
Practical ways to break Systemic or an active process in the skin. If it is a
the itch-scratch cycle dermatological itch? systemic underlying condition, you
have pruritus without the skin signs.”
During the webinar, Fiona Elliott In response to a question on
tackled the issue of itch, offering up poor kidney function, part Magical menthol
several practical ways patients could of the discussion centred on Finally, Rebecca asked
attempt to break the frustrating itch- identifying the cause of the the panellists about their
scratch cycle. These included: itch, and the need to identify experiences of using
• Patting or tapping the skin, underlying or systemic causes. menthol in their treatment
rather than scratching Here, Dr Razzaque urged armoury, which acts as a
professionals to think about coolant on the skin.

Fiona said: “It’s useful to
keep the menthol emollient
Menthol elicits the in the fridge. I use these
same cool sensation as when there is pruritus
low temperature through without any sort of physical
the TRPM8 receptor dermatosis, and a lot of
8-28°C: when TRPM8 receptor patients find the 2%
is activated by menthol or thermal stimuli menthol emollients
really quite useful.”
in the cool range

Recommended Reads Helpful resources for healthcare professionals and patients

National Eczema Society: Habit BDNG Methoderm Product Review – Discover more at rashtalk.co.uk
Reversal Advice by Cristina Galbraith • Can dermatology appointments
https://eczema.org/information-and- https://bdng.org.uk/derma-uk/ be held remotely or is face-to-face
advice/treatments-for-eczema/mental- still best practice?
health-support/#habit-reversal Steroid Plaster Application Video • Living with Eczema and Psoriasis:
and Resources
St John's DermAcademy: Educational Betesil.co.uk Long term effects and wellbeing
videos for Healthcare Professionals Samples of Menthol in Aqueous Cream • Rash Talk® Dermatology Question
https://www.stjohnsdermacademy.com/ and Emollients Time® - Five Dermatology Experts
healthcare-professionals-videos
Available free to healthcare professionals answer your questions
SkinFood: Your 4-Step Solution to at Dermauk.co.uk • BDNG Editor Rob Mair interviews
Healthy, Happy Skin the Original Rash Talk® Founder,
Dr Thivi Maruthappu – available at major Dr Rupert Mason
book retailers online and in-store

Got a question or topic you’d like us to address? Email us at rashtalk@dermauk.co.uk