Guidance

Safe use of emollient skin creams to treat dry skin conditions

Take care when using creams to treat dry skin conditions as they can easily dry onto clothing, bedding and bandages making them more flammable.

Safe use of emollients video

Safe use of emollients

A version with Welsh subtitles is available on YouTube

Skin creams, sometimes known as emollients are used by many people every day to help manage different dry skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and ichthyosis.

The creams are easily transferred from skin onto clothing, bedding and bandages. Tests and research have shown that the dried-on cream makes the fabric more flammable and the resulting fire burns quickly and intensely, resulting in serious injury or death.

It’s important for anyone using these creams to avoid any naked flame.

If you use an emollient or skin cream to treat a dry skin condition, please follow this advice.

Avoid smoking

Do not smoke, use naked flames or get near to anything which may cause a fire whilst wearing clothing or a bandage that has been in contact with skin creams.

If this is not possible, you must take steps to ensure you are safe when you smoke or use naked flames. For example, by using a flameless lighter or e-cigarette, and removing long sleeved or baggy clothing before using a gas hob.

Change and wash clothes and bedding

Change and wash your clothes and bedding frequently to reduce the build-up of skin cream. However, remember that whilst washing your clothing and bedding even at high temperatures might reduce the build-up, it does not remove it completely and the danger may remain.

Keep cream off furniture

Be careful to make sure the skin cream does not get onto the fabric of armchairs or other furniture, cushions and blankets. Be aware that the cream can transfer from your skin onto the fabric of furniture when you are sitting or lying on it.

Tell relatives and carers

Tell your relatives or carers about your treatment and ask how they can help you to reduce the risk. Download the leaflet on this page for them.

Tell your healthcare professional

Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you normally smoke. They will be able to offer you help and advice to stop smoking.

Further advice and resources

For advice and guidance to help minimise the risk when using emollients, talk to your local Fire and Rescue Service. Digital resources and further information about the campaign to help fire services promote the campaign is available to download below.

MHRA and NFCC emollients A4 information sheet for healthcare professionals (PDF, 1.74 MB, 1 page) - single page A4 information sheet

MHRA and NFCC emollients leaflet A5 - Welsh version (PDF, 2.08 MB, 2 pages) - 2 page PDF leaflet

MHRA and NFCC emollients leaflet A5 (PDF, 1.43 MB, 2 pages) - 2 page PDF leaflet

MHRA and NFCC emollients poster with text A3 (PDF, 2.01 MB, 1 page) - A3 poster with footer text and space for your logo

MHRA and NFCC emollients poster background A3 (PNG, 8.55 MB) - A3 background poster image for use in MS Office and DTP software

MHRA and NFCC emollients alert sticker (PNG, 5.58 KB) - 70mm x 35mm sticker graphic

MHRA and NFCC emollients toolkit presentation pack (MS PowerPoint Presentation, 17.1 MB) - Slide presentation pack

Further information for healthcare professionals can also be found in the in the Drug Safety Update (DSU) article published in December 2018.

Published 29 July 2020
Last updated 26 May 2021 + show all updates
  1. Added an A4 information sheet for healthcare professionals and a Welsh-translated A5 leaflet.

  2. Added a link to the December 2018 DSU article on emollients

  3. First published.