[Effects of "Skin Care School," a parental education program on childhood atopic dermatitis conducted during short hospitalization stays]

Background We have been conducting a two-day in-hospital parental education program -Skin Care School- on childhood atopic dermatitis since April 2007. The program comprises three lecture- and- practical session courses on skin care, the correct skin-cleaning procedure, and the application of ointments based on the Finger Tip Unit. The program addresses caregivers of patients less than six years old suffering from moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Methods To evaluate the effectiveness of this program, questionnaires were administered to 56 participants before, immediately after, one month after, and six months after completion of the program. Results Although the participants had received doctors' instructions on the amount of the ointments to be applied, most of them recognized on completing the program that they had been applying less amounts than prescribed. They added that the symptoms of the skin conditions, such as pruritus and sleeplessness, improved in one month after proper application and stabilized for six months. Moreover, the amounts of topical corticosteroid ointments required decreased following one month of treatment and reduced further in six months. Conclusion This educational program was effective in imparting a sound understanding of skin care to the caregivers during their wards' short hospitalization. Appropriate skin care comprises cleaning the skin properly and applying adequate amounts of corticosteroid ointment and skin moisturizer, which results in improvements in conditions like eczema and a reduced requirement for corticosteroids.