Where to apply the emollient?

Whilst the answer to this may seem obvious, it is always worth clarifying with patients that emollient can be applied all over the skin without any adverse side effects. If the dry skin is very localized, then application to just those areas may be acceptable, but often dry skin is diffuse and a general all over application is recommended.
There is a lot to remember to tell a patient about using emollients. Box 5.2 is a checklist to act as an aide memoir to make sure that everything is covered. The order the list is written in here may not suit you or your patient; as long as everything is covered (and makes sense to the patient) the order is not that important. Appendix 3 might be helpful as it lists available emollients in Britain.

Box 5.2 Aide memoir for discussing emollient use with patients Why emollients are important and how they work? How much to use (described in a way that the patient can understand, but spoonfuls may be helpful)? When to apply an emollient and in particular emphasise the importance of applying after bathing? Where to apply the emollient? How to apply the emollient? When to apply emollients in relation to the other topical treatments that they are using? Health and safety issues; Which emollient they will use and whether they need more than one for different times of the day?