Unbeknownst to many, eczema is a common condition in Singapore. But despite its prevalence, only a handful of people have a good understanding of the skin disease. Not everyone understands its causes and the appropriate treatment for the disease.
Finding the appropriate skin allergy treatment in Singapore means understanding one's skin condition. So today, we'll help you figure out what eczema is and how you can find the right treatment for your needs.
What Eczema Is
Eczema, or dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin disease common among children and adults. The condition usually causes a patient's skin to be dry, inflamed, and itchy. But depending on the kind of eczema a patient has, the symptoms may vary from one case to another.
According to surveys across Singapore, at least one in every ten Singaporean adults suffers from eczema. Furthermore, there's an increasing number of cases across the island with at least eight new cases being reported each day.
Generally speaking, eczema is divided into two main categories; contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact Dermatitis is the kind of eczema often caused by direct skin contact with an external trigger. In a nutshell, it's eczema caused by an allergic reaction to a foreign substance like bleach, battery acid, detergents, or kerosine.
Now, contact dermatitis can also be caused by less toxic substances like soap or even water. But generally speaking, its common cause includes contact with perfumes, skincare products, cosmetics and jewellery made from certain materials.
Atopic Dermatitis
On the other hand, Atopic Dermatitis is the kind of eczema caused by underlying conditions within the body. Generally speaking, Atopic Dermatitis may develop from infancy after the age of two months. But could also present itself later on during the childhood or adulthood years of a patient.
Thankfully, Singaporean kids diagnosed with Atopic Dermatitis at a young age often improve as they grow older. Though there are still chances of the condition recurring after an inactive period, early detection can help improve one's condition.
This kind of eczema commonly targets babies by affecting their face, their scalp, as well as their flexural areas like the neck and elbows. And in severe cases, Atopic Dermatitis can affect the quality of one's life.
What Causes Eczema?
Medical researchers have admitted and acknowledge that there's no proven cause of eczema. Most experts believe that the condition is often caused by a combination of genes and other internal or external triggers.
Studies have revealed that Singaporeans suffering from eczema often have over-reactive immune systems that create inflammation on the skin when triggered. And the inflammation then results in itching sensation and other painful symptoms common to eczema.
Other studies have also shown that in specific cases, eczema patients have the gene mutation that doesn't produce the necessary filaggrin that creates the protective layer of our skin. Filaggrin is a protein in charge of helping us maintain a healthy body and creating the protective layer of our skin.
When one's body fails to produce enough filaggrin, our body ends up losing moisture, therefore opening our bodies to bacteria and other viruses. This then results in chronic inflammation often associated with eczema.
What Triggers Eczema
Various elements can trigger or worsen someone's eczema such as environmental factors like dust mites, heat, and sweating. Infections like flu and other skin infections can also worsen someone's condition.
Other factors like insect or mosquito bites, scratching, stress, and food allergies can also trigger your eczema. But, food allergy and its connection with Atopic Dermatitis is debated.
Experts believe that food allergy is only commonly seen among children, not in adults. Patients who think they're allergic to certain foods should conduct further testing to confirm this.
Treatments For Eczema
Depending on the kind of eczema a Singaporean has and the severity of their condition, treatments may vary. For example, due to the persistent nature of Atopic Dermatitis, early detection is key to effective treatments. Parents should bring their kids to an experienced and trusted dermatologist for intervention.
But generally speaking, topical management and counselling are two of the most common treatments for eczema. Depending on the severity of the condition, a doctor may prescribe specially formulated moisturizers, steroid creams, and non-steroidal creams.
The prescribed medication may also include antihistamines and even wet wrapping for severe dermatitis.
In-patient treatment is only recommended by dermatologists if the condition is severe. During this specific treatment, doctors will use a variety of approaches to treatment such as counselling, therapy, and wet treatment. Once the patient's condition stabilises, they can go home.
For Singaporeans who are unsure of the skin allergy treatment appropriate for them, they can always seek the help of experienced dermatologists from clinics like Healthysprings Group!
Learn more about the appropriate skin allergy treatment for you by visiting Healthysprings Group's website. Healthysprings also offer other aesthetic treatments like threadlift in Singapore.
