The impact skin disease has on the psychological wellbeing, social functioning and everyday activities of patients and their families and carers is often trivialised and given low priority. The quality of life of people with skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic eczema and acne can be significantly impaired, and such impairment can be greater at times than for life-threatening conditions such as cancers (Schofield et al, 2009). Living with a family member with a skin condition impacts on many aspects of life, with issues such as leisure time (26%), social life (48%) and holidays (46%) highlighted as adversely affecting family life (Basra and Findlay, 2007). This paper provides practical advice and guidance that general practice nurses (GPNs) can give parents when planning leisure and holiday time with their children.
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