Safe use of Emollients for Children and Young People

What do we mean by emollients?

The word ‘emollients’ describe creams, gels, moisturisers, lotions and ointments that can be applied to the skin.

What is the risk when using emollients?

Emollients can dry onto clothes and bedding. This dried residue can catch fire very easily and quickly.

It is important to avoid items that spark or are hot near these materials (such as a lit cigarette, cooking, open flames).

Emollients themselves are not flammable, nor are they when on the skin. Just when they are dried onto materials.

What if I have tanks of oxygen in the home for medical reasons?

Medical oxygen can easily catch fire and so is dangerous around items that spark or cause heat.

Extra caution is required when using both medical oxygen and emollients as both are a fire risk.

Can I still use emollients for my child?

Yes! Emollients may contain petrolatum (petroleum jelly), paraffin or alcohol, but these ingredients are safe when used correctly and carefully. It is important not to stop skin treatment if needed.

Here are some safety tips:

• No smoking, going near open flames or heat sources or cooking with any materials/clothes that have come into contact with skin covered with emollients
• If emollients have accidentally dried onto your clothes after caring for your child, wash hands and change your clothes. Avoid wearing long sleeves before cooking and going near heat sources
• Apply any emollients thinly to allow to sink into the skin rather than a thick layer
• Wash clothing and bedding regularly, ideally at 60°C

Can I put emollients on my child’s face if they wear masks/prongs in their nose for oxygen?

Yes, children and young people who have medical oxygen to help them breathe should not avoid emollients or steroids for their skin if they need them for a dry skin condition.

Here are some helpful tips when needing to apply cream to the face:

• Use creams or gels as they sink into the skin faster and are less greasy than ointments.
• Put on a thin layer of cream or gel on and wait 20-30 minutes to be sure it has sunk into the skin before putting on their oxygen.
• Do not put thick creams inside your child’s nose or under their nasal prongs.

Can I still use barrier products to protect my child’s skin?

Yes. Your community children’s nurse may suggest using the barrier product ‘Medi derma S’

This protects your child’s skin from the glue from dressings and from too much moisture/sweat such as during pad/nappy changes which can cause the skin to become red and sore.

• If using the film applicators, barrier cream, or ointment, please follow safety tips under ‘Can I still use emollients for my child’ above.
• If your child requires medical oxygen and needs a barrier on their face, only use Medi Derma film applicators. Do not use spray forms.
• When applying this to their face, make sure the oxygen is off and away from the child.
• Ensure the film has dried before reattaching your child to their medical oxygen.

Your community children’s nurse or specialist nurse will support you to identify an appropriate emollient or steroid for your child’s skin as required.

Contact numbers

We hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please contact the

West Dorset Children’s Community and Specialist Nursing Team on 01305 254279.

About this leaflet

Authors: Beth James, Community Children’s Nurse Specialist Practitioner and Ghadah Al-Sharbatee, Specialty Doctor in Dermatology
Written: January 2026      
Approved: May 2026
Review date: May 2029
Edition: v1

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk