Eczema Treatment & Management

DTAP Clinic (Caring & Treating Since 2005)

Eczema flare-ups can be controlled with effective and affordable treatment from DTAP Clinic.

Our doctors are experienced in treating and managing eczema. We believe in using personalized treatment plans and ongoing care to help you. Our clinic is also well-equipped to perform different tests to identify triggers.

We aim to help patients control symptoms and lead lives with minimal disruption. We accept walk-ins and same-day appointments, consult our skin doctors today.

What is Eczema?

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that makes your skin itchy and red. It occurs often in people who have allergies and other associated conditions like asthma and hay fever. It is a relatively common, non-contagious skin disorder in both children and adults and tends to run in families.

Symptoms of Eczema

Symptoms of eczema include:

Intense itching, especially at night.
Red rashes especially on the hands, feet, ankles, wrist, upper chest, neck, eyelids; the inside bends of elbows and knees in children, and cheeks and scalp of infants.
small bumps that may leak fluids or crust over when scratched.
Skin becomes dry and scaly when it has been affected by eczema for some time.
Skin eventually thickens from the constant scratching and rubbing. These thickened patches often appear darker and painful cracks can develop in them.

Causes & Triggers of Eczema

Healthy skin forms a protective layer around us that prevents the entry of bacteria and other foreign particles in the environment. It also helps us retain moisture through this barrier function. In people with eczema, inheritance of certain genes from their parents can reduce the effectiveness of this barrier, making it easier for them to develop the skin reactions of eczema when exposed to certain triggers below.

Some common triggers of eczema include:

Irritants such as soaps, detergents, shampoo, disinfectant, fragrances or cosmetics
Environmental allergens such as home dust mites, pet fur, pollen or molds
Food allergies such as to cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, soy products or wheat, especially in children (see Allergy Testing)
Environmental temperature/humidity changes especially when exposed to cold dry air, or being too hot and sweaty
Clothing, especially wool or a synthetic fabric like polyester
Hormone changes experienced by women just before their period or during pregnancy may induce flares
Psychological stress may cause symptoms to become worse
Skin infection from bacteria, fungi or viruses

Complications from eczema

Skin infections – Repeated scratching can break the skin easily, allowing bacteria, fungi or viruses to enter and cause an infection.
Problem sleeping – Mainly because of itch.
Asthma and hay fever – Not strictly a complication, they are medical conditions that often accompany eczema. May appear before or after eczema.
Psychological distress from having to cope with the symptoms of this chronic disease.

Treatment and management

Medical treatment is often necessary during flares and in severe or widespread disease. Below are some ways to treat eczema.

Cool wet dressing

A clean cotton cloth is dampened in cool water and then placed on or wrapped around the eczema area. A dry dressing (eg. bandage or piece of garment) can then be placed over the wet dressing to keep it in place. The wet dressing can be left on for several hours or overnight, and be changed to a fresh dressing every 8 hours if necessary.

This method of treatment can be very effective for relieving itch and reducing the inflammation associated with an acute eczema flare. It can be used on its own or in combination with corticosteroid creams and moisturisers (either before or after applying the creams).

Corticosteroid creams/ointment

This is the mainstay of eczema treatment and works by reducing inflammation in the skin.

They are usually applied once or twice a day only to affected areas of the skin. Different strengths of corticosteroid medication are available which go by different names (Eg. clobetasol, mometasone, hydrocortisone).

The most appropriate strength and formulation of corticosteroid medication to treat your condition will be prescribed by your doctor based on your illness history, response to treatment and body areas affected. Ointment formulations of the same corticosteroid medication are generally more potent than creams or gels.

Overuse of a potent corticosteroid medication ( greater than 2 weeks duration) can cause various side effects that include thinning of skin, changes in skin colour, visible enlarged blood vessels under the skin, acne and increased hair growth.

Calcineurin inhibitors

These are alternative creams to corticosteroid that works by decreasing the immune response in skin reactions. They do not have the side effects of corticosteroids and are therefore frequently used in sensitive areas like the face and groin where the skin is thinner and more susceptible to the side effects of corticosteroids.

Antihistamine tablets

Usually prescribed at night for relief of itch. Can cause drowsiness and may help with sleep.

Corticosteroid tablets

This medication is prescribed when the eczema is severe to better help control symptoms.

They are usually taken daily for 2 to 3 weeks, with the last 1 to 2 weeks on reducing doses. Long term use (greater than 3 months) can lead to various internal side effects such as osteoporosis, adrenal hormone suppression, high blood pressure, high blood glucose and worsening of diabetes, mood changes, increased risks of infection, weight gain, cataracts, glaucoma, skin atrophy and slow wound healing.

Antibiotic cream or tablets

Prescribed when the eczema skin becomes infected.

Immunosuppressant medications

These medications range from the older oral immunosuppressants used to treat autoimmune diseases to the newer “biologics” (derived from living cells) injections that dampen certain parts of the immune system in order to decrease inflammation associated with eczema.

Because of their potential for serious internal side effects ( kidney/liver damage, increased risk of infections), these medications are generally reserved for more severe eczema that have not responded well to the other forms of treatment mentioned above.

How to prevent flares?

Moisturise your skin frequently and regularly.
Simple bland moisturising creams, lotions or ointment that do not contain fragrance or other additives often works well. Moisturise at least 2 to 3 times a day. Night time moisturiser is best applied within 3 minutes after a bath or shower to effectively seal in the moisture. Apply moisturiser whenever you feel that your skin is dry or itchy to help minimise scratching
Take shorter baths or showers in lukewarm water.
Try to limit bath/shower time to 15 minutes or less.
Dry yourself gently.
After bathing, gently pat your skin with a towel leaving it slightly damp. Do not rub towel hard on skin. Apply moisturiser or medication cream as required to your skin while it is slightly damp.
Use only mild soap or non-soap cleanser when washing up.
Minimise scratching.
Relief itch by moisturising your skin, applying corticosteroid creams or taking anti-histamine tablets as required. Keep fingernails short. Cover baby’s hands with mittens if he/she has eczema.
Learn about the triggers that affect you and avoid or mitigate them.
For example, use a humidifier in a cold or dry environment, stick to light cotton or soft fabric clothing, avoid food that you are allergic to if you are ascertained by your doctor to have a food allergy.

Skin Conditions We Treat

Most skin diseases are not fatal. However, if skin diseases very often when left unattended can lead to significant psychosocial debilitation, emotional distress and low esteem.

Fortunately, over the years, medicinal advancement brings its wake new treatment options which, if not a complete cure, alleviate symptoms tremendously. Speak to our doctors today!

Address:

15B Lorong Liput (Next To Holland Piazza)
Singapore 277730

Telephone:+65 6235 1339

Message:+65 88258034

Email: hello@dtapclinic.com.sg

Operating Hours

Monday to Friday:
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Saturday & Sunday:
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Closed on Public Holidays

Nearest MRT Station:
Holland Village MRT Station