The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance to the NHS in England and Wales on the frequency of application of topical corticosteroids for atopic eczema.

The guidance recommends:

• that topical corticosteroids for atopic eczema should be prescribed for application only once or twice daily

• that where more than one alternative topical corticosteroid is considered clinically appropriate within a potency class, the drug with the lowest acquisition cost should be prescribed, taking into account pack size and frequency of application.