Eczema

Eczema (Dermatitis) is a skin rash that is often dry, itchy and red. Sometimes, it is weepy and presents with blisters. A consultation with Dermatologist Dr Wong Soon Tee will help you to determine the causes of your itchy skin and an accurate diagnosis is important for optimal clinical management.

What is Atopic Eczema?

Atopic Eczema is one type of endogenous eczema and is a very common skin disease that afflicts about 20% of children nowadays. However, it can also affect adults. Children and adults afflicted with this disease often suffer from itch and rashes for a long duration.

Frequently Asked Questions about Eczema

What are the main features of Atopic Eczema?

Major Features of atopic eczema include:

  • Intense itching
  • Typical red rash in typical locations of the body
  • Chronic or recurring symptoms
  • Personal or family history of atopic disorders (eczema, rhinitis, asthma)

    What are the triggers?

    Environmental allergens trigger eczema and the common triggers are as follow:

    • Contact irritants (soaps, wool clothing, mechanical irritants, detergents, preservatives, perfumes)
    • Climate (heat, humidity and sweating). Dry environment with low humidity can make the disease worse.  Showering without proper moisturizing afterwards is also a common trigger
    • Air-borne allergens (house dust mite, molds)
    • Bacteria and fungus directly invade the skin, causes infection and inflammation and aggravates eczema
    • Stress: Relationship problems or major life changes, such as divorce, job changes or examination.
    • Food allergy is implicated in one-third of children with atopic eczema. The most common food allergens are the egg, soy, milk, wheat, fish, shellfish, bird nest and peanut.

      How can Eczema be controlled?

      Dermatologist Dr Wong will identify the triggers and educate the patient on how to deal with the itch during consultation. Using his experience, Dr Wong often combines old and tested methods as well as the latest medications and approaches to help eczema sufferers. This often includes bath, emollient, cream medication, oral medication and light treatment. An effective multi-prong anti-inflammation approach to tame the hyperactive immune system is important.

      Dr Wong also uses the latest Biologic injection “Dupixent” to treat patients with severe eczema. This is a new class of drugs that come from clinical eczema research. They are given as injections and they are very effective in controlling atopic eczema. Their main advantage is the absence of organ damage to the kidney, liver and the ease and convenience of receiving the treatment. Their main disadvantage is that the treatment is costly and is rarely covered by insurance. All pros and cons will be discussed with you before Dr Wong starts you on Dupixent injection treatment.

        The 2 broad groups of eczemas

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          Endogenous eczema affecting the face

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          Exogenous (contact) eczema from medical plaster

        What is Eczema?

        Eczema (Dermatitis) is a skin rash that is often dry, itchy and red. Sometimes, it is weepy and presents with blisters. There are 2 broad groups of eczemas:

        • Endogenous eczema: Endogenous means arising from within the body and the cause is not obvious.
        • Exogenous Eczema: Exogenous means trigger factors are from external sources.
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          Dr. Wong Soon Tee

          Consultant Dermatologist
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          Dr. Wong Soon Tee

          Consultant Dermatologist

          Care and Professionalism Refined by
          Over 30 Years of Dermatology Experience

          • MBBS, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore
          • MRCP. Member of Royal College of Physicians, United Kingdom
          • FAMS, Fellow of Academy of Medicine, Singapore
          • Adjunct Assistant Professor, National University of Singapore
          • Visiting Consultant, University Dermatology Division, National University Hospital
          • Visiting Consultant, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Centre, National University Hospital

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