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5 Common Eczema Management Mistakes—Why Moisturising Alone isn’t Enough!

2 mins read

With recurring symptoms that range from bothersome to severe, eczema isn’t a condition to be ignored; rather, one that must be understood in order to properly manage.

Much like being in tip-top shape, maintaining good skin is all about constant care, awareness of what’s healthy vs. harmful, environment, and balance. It’s also important to have the right mindset and plan in place. Read on for some pitfalls to avoid in putting that plan together and following through on it.

Woman with eczema scratches hand / arm in pain

But first, is it eczema?

Many skin conditions have shared symptoms with eczema—often psoriasis, but it could also be an infection/infestation or other disorders and diseases.1

Eczema itself has various types; though the two main categories2 are endogenous and exogenous—commonly atopic eczema and contact dermatitis respectively—based on whether the cause is internal or external.

Across all types, the onset (acute stage) would make skin red, itchy, inflamed, and “weeping”; while it would later on (chronic stage) become dry, scaly, and rough.2 This can affect skin on any part of the body, including the ears!2

As a long-term skin condition with recurring episodes or ‘flares’, eczema can be difficult to deal with both in the physical and emotional aspects, as it may impede on one’s daily activities and overall quality of life. The triggers of these flares (e.g. allergens) are also often unknown unless tested for, so it’s vital to stay aware of the need for management and care throughout the eczema cycle.

Common Eczema Management Mistakes

1. Forgetting eczema until it flares up
Think of eczema-prone skin as a plant that must be watered and cared for year-round—not only when it looks thirsty; or worse, sick. It is definitely worth the effort to try and prevent eczema flares with a daily skin care regimen rather than having to constantly deal with the itch and pain when it happens.

So keep in mind that no flare-ups doesn’t mean it’s time to be complacent. An ingredient, chemical, or material that’s new to the skin could be an eczema trigger, along with environmental factors like seasonal change and even stress3.

2. Being unaware of triggers skin is exposed to
Eczema causes involve genetics and the immune system.3 Eczema triggers1 can range from wool to the weather, dust to detergents, sweat to smoke! Being aware of which ones cause a reaction prevents chalking up eczema flares to just one trigger and getting really frustrated when avoiding it doesn’t help. Remember that stress can be a trigger too, so this could further aggravate the eczema flare. Try to ensure that you are in an environment that is stress-free, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

And like stress, many other triggers could be unknown or not easily identified, so having a good daily regimen in place is a must in caring for eczema-prone skin and managing the recurrent skin condition.

3. Thinking all moisturisers are the same
Hydrating the skin through water intake and applying topical moisturisers is vital; but like a water balloon with holes in it, some of that effort might be going to waste if skin restoration isn’t part of the equation.

A lesser known but significant eczema cause: defects in the skin barrier.3 This leads to both moisture loss and decreased protection from eczema triggers like irritants. It could also aggravate flares with skin infections from viruses and bacteria.4

To help repair the skin barrier, work on the seal. Holding skin cells together in this protective layer are lipids; dominantly, ceramide.

The right kind of ceramide at an optimal 3:1:1 ratio of ceramide: cholesterol: free fatty acids for skin barrier repair, is what’s found in dermatologist-recommended Ceradan® skin care products.

“Ceramides with lipids and cholesterol in the right ratio have been proven to be important in holding skin cells together to build a strong protective barrier against eczema flares. Maintaining this barrier is a critical part of defence,” shares Dr. Joyce Lim, Senior Consultant Dermatologist at Joyce Lim Skin & Laser Clinic and Past Division Head of Dermatologic and Laser Surgery at National Skin Centre.

4. My skin feels better, I can save on cream!
The state of skin may not be a direct manifestation of its health. Many assume that skin barrier restoration is only for broken skin or that it’s okay to “step down” and opt for cheaper moisturisers when skin is calm.

The lapse in judgement here is failing to understand that the skin barrier is not visible to the naked eye. It requires active repairing instead of impulse corrective methods. It all boils down to consistent moisturisation and repair to preserve the skin barriers in the long-run. Having sufficient knowledge on the correct type of moisturiser would certainly go a long way too!

5. If my itch stops, it must be working!
“Managing eczema is beyond mere symptom relief. A damaged skin barrier predisposes skin to the entry of harmful bacteria and irritants, leading to consequences like itch and inflammation. Whilst itch and redness are troubling symptoms, skin barrier repair and protection is fundamental to eczema management. A resilient skin barrier can help to reduce reliance on steroids,” explains Dr. Mark Tang, Senior Consultant Dermatologist at The Skin Specialists & Laser Clinic and Past Head of Eczema and Wound Clinics at National Skin Centre.

So avoid scratching. Applying an ice pack is a quick temporary fix. Ceradan® Soothing Gel is also clinically proven to provide relief from itch in 5 minutes and leaves a cooling sensation.

And remember that beyond remedies, it’s addressing the root cause of the eczema cycle—skin barrier health—which helps by breaking the itch-scratch cycle.

For long-term eczema management, go beyond moisturisation to skin restoration with Ceradan® and build good habits around skin health.

Results may vary.

References:

  1. Siegfried, Elaine C, and Adelaide A Hebert. “Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis: Mimics, Overlaps, and Complications.” Journal of clinical medicine vol. 4,5 884-917. 6 May. 2015, doi:10.3390/jcm4050884
  2. “Eczema: Symptoms, Treatments And Causes.” Dermatological Society of Singapore. https://www.dermatology.org.sg/education/eczema-symptoms-treatments-and-causes/. Accessed 11 July 2021.
  3. Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. “Eczema.” HealthHub. July 2016. https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medications/43/Eczema
  4. Ong, Peck Y, and Donald Y M Leung. “Bacterial and Viral Infections in Atopic Dermatitis: a Comprehensive Review.” Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology vol. 51,3 (2016): 329-337. Doi:10.1007/s12016-016-8548-5

Testimonies

Soothing gel can help calm the skin.

Lennix is super sensitive to mosquito bites not only does it swells up to the size of golf balls but when he scratches it ….
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Joanne

Singapore

Ceradan Hydra moisturiser is able to maintain the hydrated.

Having eczema since I was 2 weeks old at birth, I’ve been on the search for products to keep the eczema under control ….
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Cheryl

Singapore

It’s soap free and safe for all skin types

Honestly though, this 3 are my most used products from @ceradan311sg ? I love using the wash on Shayera & Zayne as ….
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Jane

Singapore

It’s a very gentle and baby-safe product.

We were introduced to Ceradan Skin Barrier Repair Cream by Marc’s paediatric when he started to develop a neck rash from all the sweating, milk and drool ….
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Cheryl

Singapore

It is hypoallergenic and 100% safe for newborn.

My baby is almost 2 months old, for the past weeks, I’ve been overwhelmed by frequent diaper changing and feeding my baby day and night ….
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Adeline

Singapore

Ceramoz will make your life better!

Recommended by a pediatric dermatologist, my 4 YO girl has been using the Ceramoz for more than 2 years now. It is truly the best of both worlds ….
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Alfred

Singapore
  • Lennix is super sensitive to mosquito bites not only does it swells up to the size of golf balls but when he scratches it he gets a bacterial skin infection which either lands him in hospital for IV antibiotics or heavy doses of oral antibiotics.

    So now whenever he gets bitten we immediately apply antiseptic solution and then put a bandaid on it so he wouldn’t be able to scratch.

    However the area around the bite becomes very dry and scabby possibly due to lack of air because we leave the bandaid on until the bite heals? We have been using @ceradan311sg soothing gel to help calm the skin so scratching is minimised to prevent further damage and it’s been working great! We ❤️ it!

  • Having eczema since I was 2 weeks old at birth, I’ve been on the search for products to keep the eczema under control. One thing I found useful before attending this session is that I “drink” moisturisers by the bottle and only came to know Ceradan since Marc was born. What I didn’t know was Ceradan is great for all ages, all skin types, especially dry, sensitive and eczema ones.

    The texture of the Ceradan Hydra moisturiser is very light yet is able to maintain the hydrated feeling for quite a while. And understanding from Dr Lynn that the key issue with eczema skin is to build up the skin’s barrier to minimise inflammation and infection, using a moisturiser with 3:1:1 ceramide dominant ratio is essential.

  • Honestly though, this 3 are my most used products from @ceradan311sg ? I love using the wash on Shayera & Zayne as it puts my mind at ease knowing that it’s soap free and safe for all skin types. As for the diaper cream, I use it on the kids even when there’s no rash to ensure that they’re protected. I used it on myself the other day when I had a minor rash on my hand and it helped! As for Ceramoz, it’s part mosquito repellent and part moisturiser! It’s the kiddos must have when they go over to my in-laws place which is a landed space, so you know how mosquitos love to party inside.?

  • We were introduced to Ceradan Skin Barrier Repair Cream by Marc’s paediatric when he started to develop a neck rash from all the sweating, milk and drool in between his neck folds. And later, when Marc started on his helmet therapy, the orthopaedic suggested using Ceradan Body Wash to help minimise any possibility of heat rashes and keep his skin moisturised.

    Having used Ceradan products on Marc for quite a while now, we do find that it’s a very gentle and baby-safe product. Upon using the Ceradan Skin Barrier Repair Cream, his neck rash was under control very quickly and it’s been very effective even for myself when I have eczema flare ups. Ceradan Regimen, which consists of Ceradan Skin Barrier Repair Cream and Ceradan Body Wash, is suitable for children as young as newborns and it has demonstrated clinically-proven efficacy in a study conducted by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and National Skin Centre in Singapore to prevent 1 in 2 eczema flares in Singapore children.

    Since Marc loves swimming, and the chlorine in the water is very drying for the skin, I highly recommend Ceradan Body Wash to cleanse and maintain his gentle baby skin as hydrated as possible.

  • My baby is almost 2 months old, for the past weeks, I’ve been overwhelmed by frequent diaper changing and feeding my baby day and night. ?‍♀️?? Diaper rash is also every mum’s nightmare so choosing the right diaper cream is so important. Ceradan’s diaper cream is clinically proven and also recommended by KK Children & Women’s Hospital.

    It is hypoallergenic and 100% safe for newborn.

    I’m thankful to be able to try out this diaper cream for my baby with its unique triple protective actions◾Zinc oxide to seal out wetness ◾Octenidine to control yeast overgrowth ◾Contains 3:1:1 ratio of ceramic, cholesterol and free fatty acids to repair skin barrier.

    Thanks for keeping my baby’s skin rash-free!

    Ceradan is available at Watsons, Guardian and Unity stores.

  • Recommended by a pediatric dermatologist, my 4 YO girl has been using the Ceramoz for more than 2 years now. It is truly the best of both worlds, being able to moisturise and protect against mosquito bites at the same time!

    One big problem we had to deal with when my girl started childcare was mosquitoes ?. Doesn’t help when she had eczema and very sensitive skin. One bite on her and the bitten site would swell and become inflamed. Mosquito patches don’t work at all, and kid-friendly insect repellents either don’t work so well, or are too “spicy” – imagine the whines when she accidentally rubs her eyes after applying the repellent. When we were initially introduced to Ceramoz, we were a bit doubtful but later glad to learn that my girl don’t get bitten by mosquitoes that often anymore! (Truth he told, she only gets bitten when she forgets to apply it after her shower in childcare). It has proved its use so much that I use it now even during her non school days, 2+ years and counting!

    If you have a school-going child with eczema conditions, delicate skin, or is simply a mosquito magnet, Ceramoz will make your life better!