You may have noticed the new fire warning labels that are being added to emollient packaging. The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has introduced the labelling on all emollients, including paraffin- and non-paraffin-based products.
It is important to understand that emollients are not flammable in themselves, or when they are on the skin. But if bedding, clothing and dressings containing dried emollient residue catch fire, they ignite and burn more quickly and intensely. Any dried-on cream is potentially flammable, including expensive moisturisers.
To catch fire, the bedding and clothing with dried emollient residue must come into contact with a naked flame. The risk of catching fire is highest for people who smoke because they routinely use lighters or matches.
People with eczema should not be put off using emollients because of any misunderstanding of risks. Millions of people use emollients safely every day to manage their eczema and have done so for years. Emollients are a vital first-line treatment for eczema, helping repair and protect the skin barrier. The overall risk of emollient-related fire injuries or deaths is extremely low for those who do not come into contact with naked flames or other potentially flammable heat sources. Doctors and nurses must continue prescribing emollients for eczema – the clinical guidance on emollient use has not changed.
The MHRA reported 61 emollient-related fire incidents including deaths between 2000 and 2018, and in many of these the precise role of emollients was unclear. The majority (around 75%) of the emollient-related fires recorded by the MHRA were caused by lighters, while others involved halogen heaters and incense burners. To set this in context, in England over a 12-month period in 2017-18, there were 7,300 reported non-fatal casualties as a result of fires.
Starting late July 2020, the MHRA is running a publicity campaign about the fire risk of skin creams, including emollients. National Eczema Society contributed to this campaign, which includes a hard-hitting video and information leaflets.
The Society urges people to continue using emollients as advised and take suitable precautions as needed. If you use naked flames and other potentially flammable heat sources, take extra care and avoid using them near clothing, bedding or dressings that may have emollient residue. We also recommend that you wash clothing and bedding frequently, as this is likely to reduce residue build-up even if it does not remove residue completely.
National Eczema Society is asking people with eczema to get behind an important new research initiative called SECURE-AD. You can complete the patient survey here but read on first to check you are eligible.
*Survey is now closed
Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has impacted us all in different ways and is a global public health emergency. At the moment, we do not know why some people get sicker than others from Covid-19. We also don’t know if people with atopic eczema are affected differently, due to their condition or because of the medication they are taking.
Atopic eczema and Covid-19
Eczema is a common long-term inflammatory skin disease. People with moderate-to-severe eczema may be prescribed medication that influences their immune system. This can be in the form of tablets or injections (systemic medication). The impact of these systemic medications on Covid-19 outcomes is currently unknown.
New patient registry – SECURE-AD
That is why a group of leading doctors and researchers have established a new ‘patient registry, to collect information from and about people with eczema who have experienced Covid-19. This patient registry is called SECURE-AD. People with eczema are being asked to fill in an online survey about their personal experience of Covid-19, and in a separate survey healthcare professionals are being asked to provide information on their patients with atopic eczema who contract Covid-19.
Complete the online survey
If you have atopic eczema and you have also been diagnosed with Covid-19 (or have experienced Covid-19 symptoms), even if this was a while back, you are encouraged to complete the SECURE-AD online patient survey. You will be asked a series of questions about yourself, your medical treatment(s) and how Covid-19 has affected you. This will help researchers understand your personal experience of the infection. The survey takes about 10 minutes and is completely anonymous.
Someone else can complete the survey on your behalf if needed, and parents can complete on behalf of their children. The survey is in English language only although the webpage has translation options. Please also let your doctor know about your Covid-19 infection and ask them to enter your case in the SECURE-AD healthcare professional survey. Both surveys complement each other, are safe and secure, and all the information provided is anonymised.
Help people with eczema stay safe
National Eczema Society is calling for people with eczema in the UK to take part in SECURE-AD if you have experienced Covid-19. This is an international research initiative reflecting the global health emergency and people from around the world are participating. By collecting worldwide information, SECURE-AD will make it possible to better assess the impact of Covid-19 on eczema patients and what influence eczema treatments have on the course of the infection. This in turn will help to guide doctors in their care of people with eczema who are infected with Covid-19.
In addition, SECURE-AD works closely together with the patient registries for other inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis and rheumatic diseases, allowing researchers to compare results and patient experiences. This makes the impact of the SECURE-AD project even greater and will address the uncertainties we currently face more effectively.
More information
Visit the SECURE-AD website for more information, including the frequently asked questions. If you want to fill in the online survey, you can go directly to the patient survey page. Your support is very much appreciated!
National Eczema Society is a partner organisation for this international research project. The SECURE-AD Steering Group & International Scientific Advisory Committee can be contacted directly at: secureADpatients@gmail.com