Eczema is a fairly common skin condition. In fact, 1-3% of adults [1] and 1 in 5 children [2] grapple with it. This number is steadily rising, with approximately 8 new cases reported daily. While not everyone suffers from eczema, you are probably aware of one or two symptoms associated with this condition.
Understanding the nuances of eczema is crucial for effective management and relief from its symptoms. Whether it's triggered externally or stems from internal factors, seeking professional guidance is key to addressing this chronic skin condition.
Read on to learn more about what makes eczema sufferers itch more than others!
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can affect both adults and children. It results in dry, inflamed, and scaly skin, often accompanied by persistent itching. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the type of eczema.
There are several types of eczema; these are:
A common misconception is that eczema is an infection and contagious. The good news is that eczema is not contagious but simply characterised by flare-ups and/or remission periods. This is when eczema symptoms improve or disappear for a certain amount of time. Eczema can be unique to each individual as it may or may not be related to allergies.
There is currently no definitive cure for eczema, but it can be managed with an appropriate treatment plan.
Eczema can present itself in a variety of ways, affecting more than just the skin and disrupting life both physically and emotionally.
Common symptoms of eczema include:
Similarly, eczema flare-ups can be triggered in several ways, this includes:
The only way to know if you have eczema is to get an accurate diagnosis. Generally, most cases of eczema don’t require lab testing, as they are easily identifiable based on the skin's condition and symptoms. However, your dermatologist may still use certain tests to rule out other skin conditions from the diagnosis.
These tests may include:
The best way to manage eczema is to understand the severity of your condition. Your dermatologist may use Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) [6] to assess the severity of your eczema.
This table summarises the grades of eczema severity:
| Eczema Grading | Mild | Moderate | Severe |
| SCORAD | < 15 | 15 to 40 | > 40 |
Managing eczema in babies and children comes with its own set of challenges. It's important to recognise that the symptoms and optimal treatments for children with eczema may differ from those for adults. Understanding these unique aspects is vital for effectively managing eczema in kids.
Infantile eczema (atopic dermatitis) commonly begins between 2 to 4 months of age [7]. If your baby has infantile eczema, red rashes may appear on the face, scalp, chest, back, arms, and legs. Establishing child-friendly skincare routines and using topical steroids of appropriate strength for proper care and management is important. Many children outgrow infantile eczema by age 2; however, some may continue to experience persistent eczema into their childhood years.
Addressing the specific challenges children face lays the foundation for successfully managing this chronic condition as they transition into adulthood.
As children grow into teens and young adults, the responsibility of managing eczema shifts from parents to themselves (or you if you are transitioning into adulthood). It's crucial to raise self-awareness, learn coping strategies, and develop self-advocacy skills for this transition. If your condition is severe, access to personalised medical care and support remains vital in adulthood.
As children progress through childhood, eczema management must adapt – incorporating appropriate products, monitoring steroid effects on growth, and addressing emotional impact. Instilling confidence and habits early on prepares you to handle eczema more independently as a teenager and adult.
Despite the challenges, having a proper foundation empowers you to take control and live comfortably with eczema at any age.
Managing eczema involves a range of treatment options tailored to the severity of your symptoms. Core strategies include avoiding triggers, gentle skin care, and daily moisturising. Non-medication approaches such as wet wraps and specialised bathing techniques can add moisture to the skin while reducing irritating bacteria. In limited and monitored doses, UVB phototherapy is recognised as beneficial for eczema sufferers [8].
When these methods are ineffective, prescription medications may be necessary. These can include topical steroid and non-steroid creams to reduce inflammation and skin symptoms. For those with asthma and allergies, antihistamines and asthma medications may offer relief. Complex cases may require short-term courses of oral steroids and/or antibiotics.
For mild eczema, schedule a follow-up appointment with your dermatologist within 4 weeks to review your condition. If you're dealing with moderate to severe eczema, follow up with your dermatologist within 2 weeks after starting your home eczema management plan. Continue to ensure ongoing assessment and appropriate management for your specific eczema severity. This can help to address your needs effectively and promptly.
While there is no cure for eczema, you can take steps to prevent flare-ups indefinitely or, at the very least, for more extended periods. As a rule of thumb, ensure your environment is free from house dust mites, steer clear of stuffed toys, pets and carpets, and opt for mild soaps. If you experience frequent skin infections, your dermatologist may prescribe an antiseptic wash to help manage it better.
Try to avoid extreme temperatures and excessive perspiring, especially during acute flare-ups; consider pausing physical activities. Minimise scratching by regularly trimming and filing your fingernails. Keep your skin well-hydrated by moisturising two to three times daily with a fragrance-free moisturiser, applying it generously. Collectively, these measures contribute to effectively managing eczema, promoting skin health, and reducing the likelihood of flare-ups.
In conclusion, understanding and managing eczema is essential for both adults and children. Recognising symptoms and triggers and seeking professional assistance are key to effective eczema management. Adapting skincare routines, accessing personalised medical care, and fostering self-awareness empower individuals to navigate this chronic condition from infancy to adulthood. By incorporating preventive measures and appropriate treatments, you can enhance skin health and lead a more comfortable life despite the challenges posed by eczema. Remember, there may be no cure, but proactive management significantly improves the quality of life.
The human skin is rarely ever speckless. Lumps, bumps, moles, and freckles are all “imperfections” that give your canvas character. Whilst some abnormalities on the skin are harmless, others may indicate more ominous skin disorders brewing underneath the layers. In recent years, an increase in skin condition diagnoses [1] has been noted in Singapore; the numbers largely attributed to increased awareness and discussion spaces on this topic. Pursuing “porcelain skin” and the endless quest for a clear complexion has also driven many to extreme vigilance.
In recognition of the collective interest in this topic, we have curated an essential guide on everything you need to know about skin abnormalities. By the end of this article, you should be able to distinguish when your skin warrants a visit to a dermatologist and when to embrace your skin’s natural quirks. However, if you are still unsure, we advise getting checked out by your dermatologist to be on the safe side.
Attempting to self-diagnose your skin condition may confuse you and even drive you to paranoia. Several types of skin abnormalities and growths develop on the skin, but some are more common than others. So, let’s look at common skin abnormalities and when they might warrant medical intervention from an experienced dermatologist.
Medical intervention includes evaluation and potential excision of a skin abnormality. Treatment methods generally include but are not limited to:
| NAME | TYPE OF GROWTH | DETAIL | WHEN TO VISIT A DOCTOR | TREATMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Skin cysts  | Lumps | Typically harmless and slow-growing.Round lump-like growth under the skin. No openings or punctures on the growth; however, there may be a dark spot in the middle.Can change colours if it becomes infected. Types of cysts [2] include epidermoid, sebaceous, pilonidal, ovarian, and pilar cysts. | Typically does not cause any issues apart from being physically visible. Can cause complications like infection and inflammation, which can cause pain, discharge, and cyst enlargement. Seek medical intervention early before there are complications. | Cyst removal usually entails removing the sac in which the cysts are encapsulated. Where infections are present, you will be prescribed antibiotics and advised for incision and drainage of the cyst with dressings before finally excising the cyst. Fluid from the cyst can be sent for laboratory testing to tailor the antibiotics accordingly. Cyst wall and contents will be sent for histology to confirm the diagnosis. |
Lipomas | Fatty growths | Lipomas [3] are typically soft to the touch and are easily movable when pressure is applied. They often feel like a lump under the skin.Typically same colour as the surrounding skin and does not cause skin changes or discolouration.Generally painless, although some people may experience discomfort if the lipoma presses on nearby nerves or tissues. | Lipomas are generally harmless and do not require treatment unless they become bothersome or painful. While lipomas are typically non-cancerous, examining them to rule out other potentially more serious conditions is advisable. | If a lipoma grows, causing pain or interferes with your daily activities, your doctor may excise it through a minor surgical procedure. |
Moles | Pigmented cells | Moles [4] are common skin growths that can appear anywhere on the body. Made up of pigmented cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin responsible for the colouration of the skin, hair, and eyes.Typically small, round, or oval, and varies in colour, ranging from light brown to dark brown or black. | While most moles are harmless, some changes can indicate potential skin issues, including cancer. New moles that develop in adulthood may also be a cause for concern. If you notice any changes in a mole, consult a dermatologist. Changes to watch out for include changes in size, colour, and shape, as well as if it’s bleeding, itching, or causing pain or discomfort. If you have a family history of skin cancer, you should have regular skin checks by a dermatologist. | Some individuals choose to remove moles that they find unsightly. If a mole exhibits suspicious characteristics, such as changes in size, colour, or shape, it may need to be excised and biopsied to determine if it is cancerous. Moles that cause irritation and are rubbing against clothing or accessories, get frequently scratched, or cause discomfort due to their location may also be excised. |
Skin tags | Papillomas | Small skin growths [5] that appear on the neck, underarms, eyelids, groin, and other areas where skin frequently rubs against skin or clothing.Typically flesh-coloured or slightly darker, with a narrow stalk attaching them to the skin's surface.Generally harmless and painless, although they can become irritated or inflamed if they are located in high-friction areas. | Most skin tags are harmless and do not require medical attention. However, you may consider seeing a dermatologist for an evaluation and potential skin tag removal. | Do not remove skin tags at home by cutting or tearing them off, as this can lead to infection, bleeding, or scarring. Safe and effective methods by a dermatologist to remove skin tags, which are typically for cosmetic purposes, include: Cryotherapy (freezing)Electrocautery (burning)Excision (surgical removal) |
Warts | Skin growths | Warts [7] are non-cancerous skin growths caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can appear on various body parts, including the hands, feet, face, and genitals.There are several types of warts, including common warts and genital warts. | Seek medical advice and treatment if you have bleeding or painful warts, if they are located on the genitals, if they are rapidly spreading, or if you have any other concerns. | Depending on the underlying cause, size, and location, treatment includes: CryotherapyTopical treatmentsLaser therapySurgical removal |
Now that you have a rough idea about the differences between skin abnormalities, you may be wondering what causes them and how to prevent them from developing in the first place. While your dermatologist can discuss this more in-depth after taking note of your medical history and lifestyle habits, it is a good idea to be aware of the common causes of several skin growths.
Here are some main causes of the various skin abnormalities:
As many factors lead to the development of skin abnormalities and growths, it can be overwhelming and challenging to identify the underlying cause. Consulting a dermatologist can greatly help you determine if your skin growth is a serious problem or simply due to genetics or lifestyle factors. Once you have these answers, you can put your mind at ease, knowing that there is either no cause for concern or that there are treatment options for you.
Even if skin growth turns out harmless, you may find it unsightly and unattractive, thus impacting your self-confidence. This is why cosmetic and aesthetic treatments have become increasingly popular over the past few years, especially in post-pandemic Singapore [9]. With the rise of non-invasive methods such as electrocautery and cryotherapy, going under the knife for surgical removal is no longer the only option. Whether it is medically necessary to remove or treat a skin abnormality or if the removal is purely for cosmetic reasons, there are several options for patients with skin conditions to explore today.
If you are still concerned about a particular skin growth or wish to start treatment, contact us today for a skin consultation with our experienced dermatologist, Dr Uma.
Tel: +65 9023 0905
321 Joo Chiat Pl, #05-01A Parkway East Specialist Hospital, Singapore 427990
Tel: +65 6320 0310
290 Orchard Road 09-01/02 Paragon Medical Centre, Singapore 238859
enquiries@thedermclinic.com.sg
Mon-Fri: 9:00a.m - 5:00p.m
Sat: 9:00a.m - 12.30p.m
Sun and public holidays (CLOSED)
Email us at enquiries@thedermclinic.com.sg
Alternatively, you may fill in our enquiry form here.
© THE DERMATOLOGY CLINIC.
