Eczema Specialist Singapore: How do I Know I Should See One?

By
January 30, 2024

Living with eczema can be challenging. It often involves dealing with uncomfortable and persistent symptoms.

But many patients can effectively manage their eczema. All you may need to do is observe the right self-care measures.

This becomes a problem if you’re dealing with severe eczema. In such cases, your best bet would be seeking specialized care. If it is your child battling eczema, you’d need to find a good eczema specialist for children for them.

So, what is Eczema?

Eczema is also known to as atopic dermatitis. It is a chronic skin condition causes the skin to be red, and itchy. It also comes with inflamed skin patches.

Now, eczema mostly affects infants and young children. However, it can as well persist into adulthood.

And the exact cause of eczema is still a mystery. However, experts believe that it comes from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors for developing eczema include;

  • A family history of eczema
  • Asthma, or hay fever and
  • Living in urban areas with higher pollution levels.

Common triggers include;

  • Irritants like soaps, detergents, or harsh fabrics, and
  • Allergens like pet dander, dust mites, or pollen

These triggers can exacerbate your eczema symptoms. Also worth noting are stress, extreme weather conditions, and hormonal changes that may also exacerbate your symptoms.

How do you know if your Eczema is too severe?

It isn’t easy to tell the severity of your eczema on your own. However, there are signs that indicate when it may be appropriate to consult your eczema specialist in Singapore. A severe eczema can present these symptoms;

· Intense Itching

Eczema-related itching can range from mild to unbearable. If you find yourself constantly scratching to the point where it interferes with your daily activities, your eczema may require specialized care.

Persistent and severe itching is not only physically uncomfortable. It can also significantly impact your quality of life.

For example, it may prevent you from focusing on work or school. It may also disrupt your sleep.

In extreme cases, it can also hinder your ability to enjoy social activities. Here’s a piece of good news. Your eczema specialist in Singapore can help identify the underlying causes of the itching. Following the diagnosis, they can provide you with targeted treatments and strategies to alleviate this distressing symptom.

· Widespread Inflammation

Eczema typically appears as red, inflamed patches on the skin. In cases where it affects a large area of your body it may be indicative of a severe eczema.

Eczema symptoms that don’t respond to OTC treatments may also indicate a more severe eczema. Seek the expertise of an eczema specialist if you find that your eczema is spreading or becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

They will assess the extent of the inflammation. They can also evaluate potential triggers or underlying conditions, and develop a personalized treatment plan for you. This plan should control the inflammation and provide relief effectively.

· Skin Infections

Eczema-prone skin is susceptible to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. This is hugely due to its compromised barrier function.

If you’re getting recurrent skin infections, like impetigo or cellulitis for example, you could be dealing with a severe eczema. These infections require specific medical interventions. To address both the eczema and the accompanying infection, your eczema specialist in Singapore may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medications.

· Sleep Disturbances

Itchy, inflamed skin can significantly disrupt your sleep patterns. This means that you may end up with chronic fatigue. You may also struggle with daytime drowsiness, and even worse of, impaired cognitive function.

Consult a specialist if your eczema-related itching and discomfort consistently prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep. They can explore various treatment options to help alleviate your symptoms. They may also recommend suitable sleep hygiene practices, and provide strategies to manage itchiness at night.

· Psychological Impact

Eczema can take a toll on your emotional well-being. When this happens, you may get feelings of frustration, embarrassment, or even depression.

The visible nature of eczema and the chronicity and unpredictability of flare-ups can also affect your self-esteem and confidence. If your eczema significantly impacts your mental health, seek professional help.

Either an eczema specialist or a mental health professional can help. They can offer valuable support, and address your emotional concerns. Most importantly, they can provide valuable coping mechanisms to manage the psychological impact of living with eczema.

What Makes Eczema go Away?

Eczema specialists include; dermatologists and allergists. Depending on your situation, they can provide expert guidance and tailored treatment plans to manage your eczema effectively. They may recommend a combination of the following approaches:

  • Topical Medications: Eczema specialists often prescribe prescription-strength creams effectively manage eczema symptoms. They may also recommend ointments, or prescribe corticosteroids. These medications work by reducing inflammation. With the inflammation reduced, they can provide significant relief, especially during flare-ups. They can also help control the overall severity of your eczema.
  • Moisturizers and Emollients: Regular application of moisturizers and emollients is a cornerstone of eczema management. These products are really effective in hydrating the skin. They also improve its barrier function, and prevent moisture loss. So, in managing your eczema, your eczema specialist in Singapore may recommend fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizers. These can provide gentle and effective skin hydration to promote optimal skin health.
  • Immunomodulators: Non-steroidal topical medications, like calcineurin inhibitors may also be recommended for your eczema. These medications offer an alternative to corticosteroids for managing eczema. This is particularly true for sensitive areas like the face and genitals. These medications can help modulate your immune response in the skin to reduce inflammation and control eczema symptoms. They may be viable when your long-term use of corticosteroids needs to be avoided.
  • Phototherapy: Also known as light therapy, this approach involves exposing the affected skin to controlled doses of ultraviolet (UV) light. It’s done under medical supervision to avoid undesired side effects. UV light cannot only help reduce inflammation. They can also help suppress your immune response, and alleviate itching associated with eczema. Phototherapy is typically recommended when other treatments have not provided sufficient relief or when systemic medications are not suitable. It can be performed in specialized clinics and tailored to the individual’s needs and skin condition.

Closing Thoughts

Many people with eczema can effectively manage their symptoms with self-care measures. However, for severe or persistent cases a consultation with an eczema specialist in Singapore is warranted.

Remember, everyone’s eczema journey is unique. So, finding the right eczema specialist in Singapore can help you gain better control over your condition and improve your overall quality of life. To talk with a specialist about your condition or schedule treatment, call or visit us at;

The Dermatology Clinic

321 Joo Chiat Pl,

#05-01A Parkway East Specialist Hospital,

Singapore 427990

https://thedermclinic.com.sg/

+65 6320 0310