Are you an eczema sufferer? Do you know what type of eczema you are suffering from? Acknowledging it, is important. I have listed some commonly found eczema types in Singapore for your reference. For a more accurate and specific diagnosis of your own condition, visit a GP or skin specialist to confirm.



Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a very commonly found inflammatory skin condition in Singapore. The most prevalent type of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema. It can occur in both children and adults. 

Atopic Dermatitis
You can commonly spot a dry, red, itchy and inflamed skin. Atopy refers to the tendency to develop hypersensitive skin disorders, including eczema asthma, or hay fever and this is often genetic.  

Seborrheic Eczema
There are two types, one most commonly seen in babies and the second common in adults. Areas affected tend to be the oily parts of the body, such as the scalp, face, groin and chest. Seborrheic eczema is not normally itchy.

Discoid Eczema
This condition is usually confined to the arms and legs. It consists of itchy, coin-shaped patches which may be weepy or scaly.

* I think I suffered from Discoid Eczema when I was a kid because I had those 5cent, 10 cent coin-shaped patches on my legs. They are usually weepy, and I would scratch so badly that my skin was broken, bleeding and it even stained my bed sheets. They have since recovered since stepping into adulthood.

Asteatotic Eczema
Condition caused by extreme dryness of the skin especially in elderly persons. Often seen as itchy, scaly and with cracks.

Varicose Eczema
This is a condition of the legs, commonly found in the elderly and people with varicose veins.

Contact Dermatitis
There are two types – irritant and allergic. Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by exposure to soaps, detergents, bleach and engine oils. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by sensitivity to materials like nickel, cement, rubber and hair dye.

*I might also be suffering from Contact dermatitis because my skin was ultra-sensitive with the environment change. I once visited the doctor and was told I should avoid perspiring, so he gave me a medical excuse letter so I could be excused from Physical Education activities in school. He even told me I should not use rubber ties, to tie up my hair and I should avoid wearing watches with leather straps as all these causes further skin irritation.



Having known all the commonly found Eczema in Singapore, try to identify if you have one or more of the following symptoms. 

☑ Your skin is red, swollen, itchy, scaly, dry and you sometimes have fluid-filled blisters. Your itch feels so bad that you are constantly in an itch-scratch cycle. It doesn't matter if you identify these symptoms on a child or an adult, regardless of your age, you may be suffering from Eczema. Although it is more commonly found in a child, than an adult.



☑ The rash appears usually on your elbow bends, back of your knees and your neck. Some people also find them on their joint areas, fingers or even on their face.
*These are places that tends itch when you perspire frequently, you tend to feel the itch more.

☑ Certain products you use cause you to feel itchy. E.g- of such products are, rubber hair ties, leather watch straps, steel jewelry, even the clothes label behind your t-shirts gives you an itch so bad that you scratch until your skin turns red and look sore.




☑ A change of weather, climate or temperature makes your skin break out more frequently. E.g - When it is sunny, and you experience a suddenly change of weather and it keeps raining. This triggers skin irritation, and your rashes appears. A frequent change of weather worsens your skin condition, and you tend to sneeze easily.

☑ Your skin is constantly dry, to the extent that it becomes red, and it peels. These spots tend to stay on your skin, and it doesn't heal easily. Even when they disappear, they tend to return and often, they appear on the same spot.



☑ Eczema often occurs due to dryness in your skin. If it is extremely dry, cracking and flaky and start to turn red it might be a sign. Some people also have it around their lip area.



I hope that this article will help you identify if you have Eczema. If you do suffer from it, do not panic. Try to moisturize your skin frequently and avoid using products that may further aggravate your skin. Consult a doctor for further advise and if possible, avoid steroid cream as much as possible. I will be sharing with you more tips and how to handle Eczema in my next few articles.


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