Eczema Treatment in Singapore – Causes, Symptoms & Skin Barrier Repair
What Is Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)?
Eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition that affects both children and adults. In recent years, we have seen increasing interest in eczema treatment and skin barrier care in Singapore.
Eczema refers to a group of inflammatory skin conditions that commonly cause persistent itching, dryness, redness, rough skin, rashes and cracked skin. The most common form is atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic condition characterised by recurring inflammation and periods of flare-ups.
Atopic dermatitis often develops during early childhood, particularly before the age of five. However, it can persist through adolescence into adulthood or develop for the first time in adults. Eczema can affect almost any part of the face or body, although the areas involved often vary with age.
The condition develops through a combination of skin barrier dysfunction, immune system activity, genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. When the skin's protective barrier becomes compromised, it loses moisture more easily and becomes more susceptible to irritants and allergens, contributing to inflammation and itching.
People with atopic dermatitis may also have other atopic conditions, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or food allergies. However, not everyone with eczema has an allergy, and eczema itself is not simply an allergic reaction.
What Are the Different Types of Eczema?
Although atopic dermatitis is the most common form, eczema includes several other inflammatory skin conditions.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition associated with skin barrier dysfunction and altered immune responses.
It commonly affects the face, neck, hands and skin folds, causing recurrent itching, dryness and
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin reacts to substances that cause irritation or trigger an allergic response. Common triggers include detergents, fragrances, skincare products, nickel, latex and certain chemicals. Symptoms may include itching, redness, burning, swelling, blisters and dry or cracked skin.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema, also called pompholyx, typically causes small, intensely itchy, fluid-filled blisters on the palms, sides of the fingers or soles of the feet. It may recur and can be associated with sweating, irritation and other individual triggers.
The Most Common Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis Include
- Rashes erupting in the creases of joints such as the elbows or knees
- Skin surface, in areas afflicted by rash, likely to have a lighter or darker appearance, or it could even grow thicker.
- Small bumps develop and ooze fluid, on scratching them.
- In babies, the rash could appear on cheeks or scalp.
- Possible infections if skin scratched till it bleeds.
This is an eczema that is caused by weakening of the skin's natural barrier. It leaves your skin susceptible to irritants and allergens. Genetic makeup, dry skin conditions, immunity problems, external factors like swimming, sports, and humid weather conditions can further intensify eczema, leading to bleeding or infections when skin is scratched constantly, ultimately disfiguring the skin surface. Quite often, eczema patients have to make substantial lifestyle changes due to their condition.
Contact dermatitis (caused by allergic reactions) or dyshidrosis (appearance of blisters on hands and feet), is the other significant type of eczema that we come regularly across. This condition occurs when the skin comes in contact with certain allergy-inducing substances such as detergents, paint, latex, nickel, poison ivy, perfumes, skin care products, and tobacco smoke that irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions.
The Common Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis Are;
- The skin gets itches, turns reddish, feels burning, and stinging sensations.
- Itchy bumps, also known as hives can develop on the skin.
- Formation of fluid-filled blisters that could ooze and crust over.
- The skin surface may thicken and acquire a scaly or leathery look with time.
What Eczema Treatments Are Available in Singapore?
These are some of the common Eczema Treatments:
1) Eczema Creams and Topical Treatments
These are often the first line of defense in managing eczema symptoms.
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Creams: These typically include hydrocortisone creams or antihistamine-based products to help reduce itching and inflammation. Some may also contain antibacterial agents to prevent secondary infections from scratching.
- Prescription Topicals: For more persistent or severe cases, doctors may prescribe stronger corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors (such as tacrolimus or pimecrolimus), or PDE4 inhibitors to target inflammation at a deeper level.
- Barrier repair moisturizers play an important role in managing eczema by supporting the skin’s natural protective function. In eczema-prone skin, the outer layer tends to be compromised, leading to increased moisture loss and vulnerability to irritants and allergens.
These eczema moisturizers are typically formulated with skin-replenishing ingredients such as:- Ceramides – Help to reinforce the skin barrier and retain moisture.
- Fatty acids and cholesterol – Work together to restore the lipid matrix and improve skin resilience.
Some formulations also incorporate liposomal delivery systems, which may help improve how active ingredients are absorbed and distributed across the skin. Liposomes, made of phospholipids, can support more efficient delivery of hydration and barrier-repairing compounds, while being gentle on sensitive or inflamed skin.
Regular use of these moisturizers can help reduce dryness, support the skin’s recovery, and contribute to better long-term eczema management.
2) Non-Invasive Eczema Treatment (Energy Devices)
- Phototherapy: Also known as light therapy, this eczema treatment uses a machine to generate Ultraviolet B(UVB) light. Phototherapy is certified as a safe treatment since only healthy, and controlled amounts of UVB light are released, and even the procedure is conducted under medical supervision. This treatment reduces itching, and skin inflammation, apart from enhancing the skin’s bacteria-fighting ability.
- Ultrasound Therapy: Using dual-frequency ultrasound waves, this treatment has the capability to regulate the dynamic processes involved in tissue production and destruction, which are the primary factors in the different aesthetical applications or treatment of dermatological conditions. This therapy basically uses physical energy to modulate the homeostasis of the skin and the subcutaneous tissues.
3) Medications
- Steroids
- Immunosuppressive Drugs to be taken orally : Usually prescribed in severe cases, these medications reduce inflammation by controlling the immune system response.
- Injectables Biologics: These medications work by specifically attacking the protein that causes the inflammation response.
Is There An Effective Eczema Treatment?
You must discuss these eczema treatment options with your doctor who will carefully monitor and regulate the use. This is to avoid overburdening your immune system. Dr Thean's approach to Eczema treatment is slightly different. Our treatment approach is to fortify the weak epidermis, so that the dermis regains health. This will reduce the inflammation which is different from the conventional medical eczema treatment that suppresses the skin’s overactive abnormal immune response.
Our doctor prescribe a treatment regimen with multiple different medical lasers, ultrasounds and energy-based devices. The use of multiple energy-based devices helps strengthen the overall health of the sufferer's skin. This treatment increases the amount of quality collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid (HA) to diminish the inflammation in the dermis. As the skin’s collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid are very important for its proper function. These components are essential for proper skin regeneration and its reduction is responsible for faster skin aging.
Multimodal energy-based treatments augment conventional treatments, the aim is to lessen and even eliminate the use of steroid creams entirely. Eczema should be viewed as a systemic disease and not only a skin disease. And every patient is unique. Therefore there can be no ‘one size fits all’ approach to treatment as well. We need to meticulously monitor and alter the settings, frequencies, and deploy energy devices in accordance with your skin’s particular nature and requirements.
Some Tips to Control Eczema Outbreaks
Here are some tips to help prevent eczema flare-ups, manage symptoms, and keep your skin in order.
- Stay away from foods that cause or aggravate the symptoms.
- Apply cool compresses or take a baking soda bath to soothe the itch.
- Use gentle eczema-friendly moisturizers and lotions to maintain skin hydration.
- The cream must be applied to the skin, immediately after you step out of the shower, to trap the moisture.
- After you finish bathing, gently dab your skin with a soft towel. Avoid rubbing your skin too hard.
- Avoid scratching to reduce chances of infection.
- Use fragrance-free makeup, cleansers, detergents, cleansers, and other skin care products.
- Don gloves and protective clothing when handling chemicals.
- Wear clothes that are loose-fitting, and made of soft fibers such as cotton.
- Introduce Positive Lifestyle changes; Take sufficient rest, learn to relax and meditate, to control daily stress