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Most commonly asked Questions and Answers you might want to know about Eczema:
- What is Eczema?
- What Causes Eczema?
- How do I know I have Eczema?
- Is Eczema common?
- Can I catch Eczema from another person?
- How long does Eczema last?
- How is Eczema treated?
- Are there Eczema medications?
- How do I prevent Eczema flare-ups?
- What can I do when an Eczema flare-up occurs?
- How do I help my child with Eczema? Special Tips for Children.
At the Joyce Lim Clinic, we offer different types of treatment for our patients.
Eczema is a disorder which results in dry, itchy, red skin. There are many types of eczema and they all result in well known symptoms - intense itching, recurring red rash, dry and scaly areas...
Eczema is not life-threatening but it disrupts us from leading a normal life. Itching can cause public embarrassment, and sleepless nights. Eczema flare-ups have caused its sufferers to miss school and work, and unable to attend to personal obligations.
Fortunately, eczema can be treated. Seeing a doctor early will help you keep eczema from taking over your life.
It is usually hereditary. If one of your parents as eczema, you stand a 56% chance of getting it. Eczema can also be brought on by other factors, such as exercise, excessive sweating, temperature changes, sensitivity to clothing, reactions to certain foods, emotional stress, and so on. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, you are also likely to get eczema.
The most common symptom of eczema is itching. Infants usually have symptoms on the face, elbows or knees. For older children and adults affected areas are the hands, neck, inner elbows and the backs of knees and ankles.
However it does not mean that anyone who is itching suffers from eczema. There is no specific test for eczema. Diagnosis must be made by your doctor, who will look at your medical history, your family history and your symptoms.
Eczema is mainly a childhood disease, and up to 1 in 5 school-age children in Singapore suffer from it. It is also more common among the Chinese and Malays.
No you cannot. Eczema cannot be spread from one person to another.
With proper diagnosis and treatment, it can be cleared up. In many children, the symptoms lessen as they grown up and may eventually disappear.
Your doctor will attempt to heal your skin, and minimize or prevent future flare-ups. It also helps to keep your skin moisturized to prevent itching and cracking. Moisturizing also keeps out germs that cause infections.
Your doctor will usually treat you with moisturizers, and cortisone (steroid for short-term use) or creams for long-term management. These medications reduce itching, redness and inflammation. In addition, your doctor may also prescribe antihistamine tablets to control itching, and antibiotics to treat infection.
The most important is to keep the skin moist by using moisturizers. You should also:
- Avoid rough fabrics. Cotton and soft fabrics are best. Tight clothing should be substituted with looser clothing.
- Take lukewarm baths with mild soap .
- When drying, pat yourself dry with a soft towel. Do not rub your skin.
- Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing to ‘lock in’ moisture.
- Avoid rapid changes of temperature .
- Avoid activities that make you sweat profusely .
- Remove carpets (for those with allergies). You may also want to keep your distance from pets (long-haired dogs and cats) .
- Relax whenever you can, to reduce stress-induced eczema .
The best thing to do, and also the hardest, is to stay calm. Getting angry or frustrated only make the symptoms worse. Try to relax and not to scratch or think about the itching. Remove whatever condition that is causing the flare-up, or change the environment to make it more comfortable for you.
Eczema is very common in young children and here is some advice for parents.
- Moisturize your child every day. The best time is immediately after bathing, so that moisture can be 'locked in'
- Bathe your child in lukewarm water
- Use mild soaps or non-soap cleansers
- Switch to loose-fitting 100% cotton clothing
- Make sure your child’s room is not too warm (or too cold)
- If your child itches at night, soothe him with a cold, damp cloth
- Keep your child’s nails short, to reduce the effects of scratching
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