Atopic eczema: nurse-led care--1. Making the most of the consultation.

Nurses are now increasingly involved in diagnosing, prescribing and initiating treatments for clients with eczema. In the first of a two-part article, a nurse consultant in dermatology focuses on the clinical criteria for deciding whether the client has eczema and advises on how both nurse and client can make optimum use of the consultation. Ways of assessing clients' eczema and its impact on their daily life are discussed. Part 2 of the article, to be published in the next issue of Journal of Family Health Care, will examine treatments for eczema.