Our Services

Eczema

Family Medicine

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin. Itchy, red and swollen skin on the dry surface of the skin is a recurring skin condition, and most people with eczema have atopic dermatitis. Eczema is not related to the age of the sufferer, and can occur from childhood to old age. According to the Department of Health's "Child Health Strategy - Eczema", eczema affects one in five children on average. Eczema usually improves with age, but can become difficult to manage if not treated properly.

What is eczema?

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin. It is not an infectious disease, but it can cause the following symptoms:

Symptoms	Location
Itchy Dryness Redness Blisters Blood oozing from the affected area Scabs on wounds Flaking, cracking Thickening and roughness of the skin	Commonly found in the following locations: Wrist Arm Back of the hand Back of the knees Neck Lower legs Scalp and face (mostly in children)

Causes and risk factors

Eczema is an inflammatory reaction of the skin. Eczema is most likely to run in the family, and is more likely to occur when the patient is exposed to irritants (e.g. environmental or dietary allergens, stress, etc.). Studies have shown that having a parent with asthma increases the risk of eczema in the child.

Common causes of eczema:

Stress	Causes immune system disorders
Weather	Dry weather can cause dry and sensitive skin. Hot and humid weather causes the body to perspire, which may lead to skin inflammation if not treated immediately.
Environment	Allergens (animal hair, dust mites, pollen, jumpers, wool or nylon clothing)
Dietary habits	Eggs Seafood Milk products Nuts Colors in some processed food products

Diagnosis

The doctor will make a diagnosis based on the surface of the affected area. To further determine the condition, the doctor will ask questions about the patient's family history, eating habits, living environment, etc., with the aim of identifying the root cause of the problem.

Depending on the situation, blood tests or skin tissue tests may be performed to rule out other skin problems. In some cases, a rapid skin prick test may also be performed to look for allergens or triggers.

Treatment

There is still no complete cure for eczema. Patients need to take medication to alleviate the problem in the long term and improve their lifestyle and other high-risk factors to minimise the possibility of recurrence of eczema.

Commonly used medications:

Anti-allergy medication (to help with scarring)
Topical steroid creams
Oral steroids (for more severe cases of eczema)
Immune system suppressants (depending on the severity of the condition)

In the course of taking medication, patients should not only follow the doctor's instructions, but also pay attention to the changes in the affected area, and consult the healthcare personnel if the eczema worsens. Patients should not buy proprietary medicines from drugstores or use medicines that have been used by other eczema patients, as each patient has a different body constitution and different medicinal properties. Patients should ask their doctors to judge their conditions and prescribe the most suitable medicines for them.

Impact

Eczema makes the skin itchy, red and swollen, leading to the following problems:

Difficulty in sleeping due to itchy skin, resulting in poor quality of sleep.
Affects the patient's appearance and self-confidence.
Eczema can cause anxiety and prolonged negative moods.
Itchy skin can lead to distraction from work or school.

Prevention

When eczema flares up, patients may scratch the affected area due to itchiness, resulting in pain, peeling of the skin surface and worsening of eczema.

To prevent eczema flare-ups, patients should:

Skin care	Ointments can be used to control the condition: Regular application of ointment, balm, cream or lotion can keep the skin moisturized, soften the skin, increase skin elasticity, relieve itching and prevent scratching of the skin. Bathe with bath oils or greasy ointments. Avoid soap-based cleansers Avoid overheating the bath water to prevent skin irritation.
Improve lifestyle habits to reduce the incidence of acute episodes.	Avoid the use of harsh cleaning products such as alcohol-based handrubs, hair dyes, soaps and detergents. Keep the environment clean to minimise the emergence of allergens Dress in breathable fabrics. Have a good daily routine Reduce the consumption of allergenic food

Frequently Asked Questions

Topical steroid creams are effective in relieving acute eczema flare-ups. However, topical steroid creams are only recommended to be used on medical advice to relieve acute flare-ups. Prolonged use of topical steroids may have side effects such as thinning of the skin. Therefore, skin care should be emphasised in the management of eczema to minimise acute flare-ups and reduce the use of topical steroids.

Although patients with asthma or other allergies have a higher risk of developing eczema, it can also be a result of food allergies or other skin sensitivities. It is advisable to consult your doctor for diagnosis and examination to find out the cause of eczema.

Parents can prevent acute eczema flare-ups by: ● Keeping the home clean and well ventilated ● Choosing cotton clothing ● Avoiding residue of laundry detergent in the laundry ● Bathing in a bath that is not too hot ● Avoiding hairy toys ● Avoiding pets and pollen plants ● Trimming nails frequently to prevent scratching of the skin.