Volume 5, Number 3

Karina Jackson RGN BA (Hons) Dermatology Research Sister; Sarah J Sparrow RGN ENB 136 Clinical Research Nurse, Skin Therapy Research Unit, St John’s Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas’ Hospital

Conventional topical therapy used to treat atopic eczema (Figure 1) has, up until now, been limited to emollients, corticosteroids, wet wraps and antibiotics. Controlling the disease usually requires repeated applications of different preparations to various sites upon the body over sustained periods of time.

Beverly Wilson RGN BSc (Hons) ENB N18 N49 998 934 Senior Sister, and Sally Smith RN DipN ENB N49 998 Liaison Sister, who both work in the Leeds Centre for Dermatology at Leeds General Infirmary

Beverly Wilson RGN BSc (Hons) ENB N18 N49 998 934 Senior Sister, and Sally Smith RN DipN ENB N49 998 Liaison Sister, who both work in the Leeds Centre for Dermatology at Leeds General Infirmary explain how to measure and fit graduated compression hosiery

Justine Ratcliffe BA (Hons) RGN Head of Specialty Dermatology, Outpatient Department, Royal Bolton Hospital

Natural latex is the substance obtained from the sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree. Natural rubber latex (NRL), made from natural latex, is the compound used to make rubber objects such as gloves and balloons.1 In this article, latex gloves are used as an example to explain the reactions caused by NRL.

Anna Rich RN Dip ENB N18 Leg Ulcer Liaison; Sister Sandra Lawton RN OND Dermatology Liaison Sister, Dermatology Directorate, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham

Leg ulcers are a common problem and treating them uses up a considerable amount of resources. Epidemiological studies have shown that leg ulceration has a point prevalence of 0.16–0.18%. Prevalence increases with age and affects twice as many women as men.1 Britain’s growing elderly population means that this number is likely to increase.2

Faye Butler RGN ENB 136 998 PG Dip Management Senior Nurse in Dermatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary

Is reflective practice a cumbersome, time-consuming management tool or a cost-effective method of demonstrating commitment to lifelong learning and improving the quality of patient care?

Fiona Pringle RGN FETC ENB 901 Clinical Nurse Manager, Oxford Fertility Unit, Oxford Radcliffe Hospital

The vulva is the collective term used to describe the female genitalia (Figure 1). The precise incidence of vulval disease is unknown. This is because patients are often too embarrassed to seek medical advice. However, the provision of specialised vulval clinics has increased the awareness of diseases which affect the vulval area.