NHG-standaard ‘Eczeem’

• The Dutch College of General Practitioners practice guideline ‘Eczema’ provides recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of common types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, acro-vesicular eczema, nummular eczema, hypostatic eczema, and asteatotic eczema.
• Age is an important factor when determining the type of eczema.
• According to the guideline, patient history and physical examination are sufficient in the diagnosis of eczema; additional investigations are rarely indicated.
• Moisturizing the skin with neutral emollients is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with eczema.
• If treatment with glucocorticoids is indicated, it is recommended that patients should start with short-term twice daily application, decreasing to once daily application.
• The guideline advises not to treat eczema patients with tar preparations. General practitioners are also advised not to prescribe calcineurin inhibitors.
• How work may affect eczema, or how eczema may affect work, should be considered in adult patients.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.