Latest news with #eczema
CNA
3 days ago
- Climate
- CNA
Handheld fans, sunblock routines, breathable uniforms: How Singapore students and schools are beating the heat and staying cool
With temperatures soaring amid Singapore's hottest months of May and June, 43-year-old Clement Tan is concerned about how the heat is affecting his children in school. 'Their school is in an older building and I've been there for meet-the-parents sessions. The fans do not provide ventilation throughout the whole classroom and it can be really uncomfortable at certain parts of the classroom,' said Mr Tan, a litigation lawyer and father of three children aged 10, seven and five. He has equipped his two older children, who study at Fairfield Methodist School (Primary), with handheld fans to give them some reprieve from the weather. The school has also allowed students to wear their Physical Education (PE) uniform throughout the day, which has helped keep them cool and complaint-free. But as his children have eczema – a condition that causes skin to become dry, itchy and bumpy and is exacerbated by heat – rising temperatures have caused flare-ups. Several parents told CNA TODAY they were worried about how the stifling heat in school, during the commute as well as at home is affecting their children's learning abilities. These parents' fears are not unfounded: Extreme heat conditions can impact students, with several studies pointing out lower grades and inability to focus as temperature rises, some education and environmental experts said. Singapore has experienced six historical heatwave events, with the most recent one in 2016. Heatwaves are when the highest daily temperature is at least 35°C for three consecutive days and the average temperature every day is at least 29°C. In May 2023, the highest daily maximum temperature of 37°C was recorded, tying with that recorded in 1983. May has always been one of Singapore's hottest months. This year, from May 23 to May 28, the highest daily temperatures ranged between 35°C and 36.2°C around the island. With the effects of climate change, including rising average temperatures and heavier rainfall, experts predict that more students will likely fall ill and miss school. While calling for more air-conditioned classrooms may seem like the most obvious recourse, they added that doing so too often could impact children's heat tolerance and ability to handle rising temperatures in the longer term. In preparation for future rising temperatures, the Mercury Taskforce led by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, and the National Environment Agency was set up in 2023 to create a national heatwave response plan. Should a heatwave occur, students will be allowed to wear dress-down attire such as dry-fit material uniforms. Outdoor activities will also be minimised between 11am and 4pm, or suspended if heat stress levels spike, the taskforce recommended. And should there be a need for heightened measures, schools may switch to either partial or full home-based learning. The Ministry of Education (MOE) said that it refers to both local and international studies related to thermal comfort and that schools have both guidelines from the ministry as well as the autonomy to determine measures to help students manage the heat. Besides adopting the heatwave response plan by the taskforce, which the ministry is a part of, MOE has also taken measures to improve the ventilation of classrooms. 'New schools are also designed to facilitate natural cross ventilation through the use of computer simulations on air flow and wind velocity," said MOE. 'MOE is also progressively adopting additional measures to enhance thermal comfort in classrooms, such as adding more fans and changing them to energy-efficient direct current models, and painting school building exteriors with cool paint." STUDENTS ARE GRUMPIER, CRANKIER, MORE IRRITABLE Despite these moves, Ms Rynette Joyce Tan's children have been 'more cranky than usual' with the highest daily temperatures of 36.2°C in the latter half of May. "They complain as they get itchy and irritable from being too warm. They (also) get agitated more easily, tend not to speak too nicely to each other and get set off more easily," she said. The founder of childbirth education platform 13Thirteen is the mother to four children, aged 11, 10, seven and five. 'Our kids usually take the public bus to school on their own, but lately they've been asking us to pick them up more often,' she said. 'Sometimes they'll even catch a ride with a friend's parent if they can. I think they're drained from the heat by the end of the school day.' Her children's school also switched the material used for its school uniform to a lighter, moisture-wicking fabric. This has helped make the heat more bearable, said Ms Tan. At home, the family has adopted additional measures to keep the children cool. 'We don't usually use the air conditioner during the day, but with this heat, we've told the kids it's okay to switch it on, especially when they're studying for exams and need to concentrate,' she added. How rising temperatures impact students around the world While Singapore has not halted schools due to heatwaves and rising temperatures, a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) analysis released in January 2025 found that one in seven students had their school disrupted due to climate hazards last year. Heatwaves were the most significant climate hazard to disrupt schooling, affecting roughly 171 million students in 2024, the UNICEF analysis found. The month of April had the highest global climate-related school disruptions as heatwaves affected 118 million children in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Some schools were shuttered entirely for several days, such as in the Philippines, when temperatures soared over 40°C. They were also closed in the later part of the year as typhoon season flooded classrooms, or schools were used as temporary evacuation centres. Over in Cambodia, schools tried to help students escape the sweltering heat by shortening the school day by two hours. In Latin America, meanwhile, 48 million children face double the number of 35°C or higher days than 60 years ago, said UNICEF in its analysis. The United States is also not free from the effects of rising temperatures. Last year, several schools closed their doors as inadequate air-conditioning systems failed to keep classrooms cool, reported British news outlet BBC. Assistant Prof Wang Jingyu from the National Institution of Education at Nanyang Technological University said that Singapore's students face milder climate impact compared with developing neighbours in Southeast Asia as the island has advanced infrastructure and policies. However, Singapore faces similar challenges experienced by developed countries like the United States and Australia. "Despite differing climates, developed countries often face similar pressures in adapting their urban systems and educational environments to increasing climate variability and extremes," said Ast Prof Wang. Similar challenges include urban heat stress, exposure to extreme weather events, air quality issues, and the need for resilient infrastructure so that classes can continue uninterrupted. Former teachers also told CNA TODAY that they notice students are more distracted when it is hot. Mr Erika Kua, a former H2 chemistry teacher, said that it was exceptionally bad while doing science experiments involving heating, as the fans in the laboratory had to be switched off. The founder of tuition centre Mr Khemistry had taught at Meridian Junior College from 2006 to 2011, as well as from 2014 to 2017. The school is now known as Tampines Meridian Junior College. Students would be talking among themselves, fanning themselves with worksheets, moving around in their seats or wiping their arms and necks, he said. 'It's hard to expect them to focus deeply when they're uncomfortable. The heat really does make it hard to think clearly,' said Mr Kua. Mr Tan, the litigation lawyer and father of three, added that his two older children also play tennis competitively. 'I have to thank the coach and teachers for always reminding them to hydrate and reapply their sunblock to protect themselves,' he added. He encourages his children to take a cool shower once they are at home, as well as to drink plenty of water and sit under a fan. The air conditioner is only turned on when the humidity and heat are 'too stifling'. To beat the heat, the family also regularly consumes barley water, which Mr Tan's in-laws diligently make every weekend to ensure the children are hydrated. As for 52-year-old Edwin Lee, he is more concerned about the long-term impact of the fluctuating extremes in weather. The service controller is the father of an 18-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter. Unlike the parents of younger children in primary school, he said his children are 'old enough to know how to care for themselves' when it gets too hot. 'With the weather getting increasingly unpredictable, one moment (there is) a heatwave, the next, a sudden downpour and flooding. I do think schools might want to start thinking ahead,' he said. HOTTER DAYS AFFECT ACADEMIC OUTCOMES Several studies have found that heat impacts education outcomes and cognitive abilities. Associate Professor and Dean's Chair of the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Department of Economics Alberto Salvo is part of a team of academics studying how heat has impacted college students in Singapore. Looking at undergraduate course records between 2005 and 2019 at one of Singapore's universities, his team's paper – titled "Heat impacts college student grades even in rich Singapore" – revealed that students' performance reduced by 1.5 per cent when semesters were hotter than usual. Assoc Prof Salvo said the study did not find any "robust" evidence that students from low-income backgrounds, such as those living in rental flats, were more sensitive to the heat. However, this could be because such students find ways to mitigate the heat, such as going to libraries or malls with air-conditioning. While his study focused on university-going students, he told CNA TODAY that it could be worthwhile for MOE to see if this trend stands among younger students. Agreeing, Assistant Prof Wang Jingyu from the National Institution of Education at Nanyang Technological University said that several studies have shown that students' cognitive performance scores decreased significantly with increased temperature and decreased air velocity. 'Prolonged heat exposure in non-air-conditioned classrooms may increase fatigue and decrease participation,' she added. But are children so susceptible to the heat? To this, experts from the Heat Resilience and Performance Centre at NUS's Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine said that children may be less aware of their own thermal discomfort and less likely to communicate symptoms of dehydration or overheating. This could put them at higher risk during both indoor and outdoor activities, said Assoc Prof Jason Lee and Ms Lydia Law, the centre's director and co-director respectively, in a joint response. Warmer nights might also lead to disruptions in sleep, reducing attention span and focus. Nevertheless, children have physiological characteristics which help with heat loss under moderate conditions, said the experts. This includes having 'greater surface area-to-body-mass ratio and higher skin blood flow'. 'They also generally have lower sweat rates than adults, although this may not be a disadvantage in our high humidity environment,' said Assoc Prof Lee and Ms Law. Dr Ho Boon Tiong, principal consultant educationist at training and consulting firm ClassPoint Consulting, added that some children might be more sensitive to the heat, such as those with skin conditions like eczema. He added that the heat could widen inequality among some students. For example, students who do not have air-conditioning at home may not be able to study well at home when it's hot unlike their peers who have access to cooler rooms. 'It's a known fact that better resources will lead to better outcomes, and learning environments are affected by the temperature,' he said. This also applies to schools that may be better-resourced, such as those that have air-conditioned classrooms. Teachers will also face increased physical strain and diminished teaching effectiveness in a warming climate, added Asst Prof Wang. 'In non-air-conditioned classrooms, high temperatures sap energy and focus, compromising lesson delivery, while frequent shifts between home-based and in-person learning demand extra preparation time,' she said. 'Beyond logistical burdens, teachers also bear the emotional toll of supporting vulnerable students – particularly those without adequate cooling or study spaces at home – further compounding stress and burnout risks.' Professor of Urban Climate at Singapore Management University Dr Winston Chow warned that extreme weather and heat can also lead to negative after-effects. This includes a rise in vector-borne diseases like dengue, as Singapore's hot and wet climate accelerates the physical maturation of the mosquitoes, which could increase school absenteeism. He added that mental health conditions could be worsened by the heat. There could be more climate anxiety, which is a sense of panic, worry and fear towards the consequences and uncertainty brought by climate change, said Dr Chow. WHAT CAN BE DONE? Responding to CNA TODAY's queries, MOE said it "recognises the importance of providing conducive learning and examination environments for our students in schools, while striving for our schools to be environmentally sustainable in their operations". It added that standard classrooms are designed to be naturally ventilated without using air-conditioning, such as placing classrooms in the North-South orientation to minimise heat gain, and optimising natural cross ventilation through sunshades, fans and ample window openings. In more severe heat situations, MOE, with reference to national advisories, may suspend outdoor activities or all physical activities. Where necessary, the ministry will also provide schools with more guidance. But is the solution simply installing air conditioners in classrooms? The short answer is no. 'Air conditioners offer short-term relief but come with long-term trade-offs. Cooling accounts for roughly 30 per cent of Singapore's electricity consumption, with related emissions projected to rise by 39 per cent by 2030 without clean cooling measures,' said climate and sustainability director and global palm oil lead at the World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore (WWF-Singapore) Kamal Seth. 'Relying solely on air conditioners would create a vicious cycle, intensifying the very heat crisis we're trying to escape." Ms Law and Assoc Prof Lee of the Heat Resilience and Performance Centre said that children may become less heat resilient due to excessive time spent indoors. "Individual resilience can be promoted by encouraging students to progressively and safely acclimatise to warm environments instead of avoiding outdoor activity altogether,' they said. They added that regular physical activity and gradual exposure can enhance the body's ability to cope with heat stress. To enhance the effectiveness of existing measures, like allowing students to wear cooler clothes, Dr Chow suggested that weather predictions should be made more accessible to the schools. This will allow school leaders to anticipate and better handle extreme weather conditions ahead of time, he said. Teachers also play a role in ensuring students are not too affected by the heat by reminding students to hydrate and observe for signs of heat stress. Asst Prof Wang added that teachers should be equipped with 'climate-adaptive instruction' by modifying curriculum or classroom management in response to weather and climate-related disruptions like extreme heat, haze or urban floods. She said, for example, outdoor physical activities can be replaced with heat-resilient alternatives like swimming or indoor spots. 'Parents and communities play a key role by preparing cool, quiet study spaces at home, educating children on safety practices, and partnering with schools to identify and support at-risk students,' she added. Asst Prof Wang said that while switching to home-based learning and limiting PE classes may be necessary in extreme heat conditions, such adaption measures may present 'nuanced education trade-offs. 'While these measures mitigate heat stress and maintain academic continuity during extreme weather, reduced outdoor activities may impact physical development and social interaction,' she said. 'Home-based learning effectiveness hinges on equitable access to technology and home cooling, potentially exacerbating learning disparities.' On this note of thermal inequality, a spokesperson from SG Climate Rally said that air-conditioned cooling centres should be provided with space for students to attend their classes and do their homework such as in libraries or community centres. 'While ensuring equitable access to air-conditioning during high heat events is a must, we also need to prevent overuse of it when not necessary, such as setting the thermostat higher and switching to more efficient models,' added the spokesperson. In response to CNA TODAY's question about closing schools in the event of extreme heat conditions, MOE said that "any decision to close schools will not be taken lightly as we are mindful of the disruptions to families' care arrangements for their child". 'In the event a school closure is necessary due to a severe hot weather situation, MOE may implement partial or full Home-Based Learning in schools to safeguard the safety and well-being of all staff and students while ensuring the continuity of teaching and learning," said MOE. 'Schools and school-based Student Care Centres will continue to support parents who may require alternative arrangements.' RETHINKING SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE What about infrastructure changes? Ms Elaine Tan, the Singapore sustainability leader at global sustainable development consultancy Arup, said some design choices can make newly-built schools cooler. 'Where and how the building sits on the site plays a huge role. For instance, minimising east- and west-facing facades helps reduce exposure to intense morning and afternoon sun, while aligning buildings with prevailing wind directions makes the most of natural ventilation,' she said. 'The choice of window systems, such as jalousie, side-hung, or sliding windows, and its location and height, significantly influence wind movement and indoor comfort,' she said. Jalousie windows have multiple horizontal slats or panes of glass that can be tilted open and closed together to control airflow, and is a common feature in Singapore's schools. All the experts also agreed that more education around climate change and sustainability among children is needed to help combat the root cause of our rising temperatures. NTU's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Assoc Prof Wan Man Pun added that the school's surroundings matter too. 'When building a new school that will be naturally ventilated, selecting a location that is less subject to wind blockage by surrounding structures or away from highly dense built-up areas will be of great help,' he said. He added that designing external architectural elements such as low emissivity glass for windows – a type of glass with a thin, transparent, microscopic coating that reflects heat – can manage heat gain in the building structure. 'These are some passive, non-energy-consuming measures (that) could be taken before involving active energy-consuming measures such as air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation,' he said. But what about existing schools, whose buildings may be older? Ms Elaine Tan said incorporating green spaces such as green planters, roofs and walls can absorb heat. Installing 'blue infrastructure', such as water features, can also help cool surrounding areas. A study conducted by Arup found that there can be a 6.5°C difference between the most intense hot spot and the coolest spot near areas with greenery and water bodies. However, she added that it is also important to ensure these new facilities can be easily maintained, among other things. Assoc Prof Wan added that classrooms could reduce the density of heat by limiting the number of students and equipment that might emit heat in classrooms. While parents who spoke to CNA TODAY immediately suggested that air-conditioning is the only solution should temperatures continue to rise and heatwaves become more frequent, they acknowledged that schools are already doing a lot to help students cope, and there's not much else that can be done. Still, some parents had creative ideas to offer. One parent suggested making uniforms more weather-resistant, and another said that misting fans could be installed in schools to help children cool down.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Tower 28 Introduces New Medical Advisory Board Supporting Innovation For Sensitive Skin
Tower 28 is the only skincare and makeup brand to carry the seals of approval from the National ... More Eczema Association, National Psoriasis Foundation, and the National Rosacea Society. Eczema affects approximately 10% to 20% of children and 2% to 10% of adults worldwide. Over 31.6 million people in the U.S. alone suffer from some type of eczema. With the global beauty and skincare market expected to generate $677.19 billion this year, the only brand to proudly invest in research and development of eczema safe products, proudly carrying the seals of approval from the National Eczema Association, National Psoriasis Foundation, and the National Rosacea Society across its entire skin care line is Tower 28. Amidst its rapid growth, consumers have grown to trust the products and expertise of the brand. This has led Tower 28 to launch its new Medical Advisory Board as a pivotal step towards advancing care and innovation for sensitive skin. With this expert-driven initiative, Tower 28 continues to set the standard for beauty that supports the sensitive skin community. As the demand for effective and trustworthy products for sensitive skin grows, Tower 28 is bringing together an inspiring group of leading dermatologists and medical experts to help further the brand's foundational mission to create A Safe Space for Sensitive Skin. The Advisory Board will play a critical role in supporting these efforts in three key areas, leading science-based educational initiatives, ensuring the highest standards of care and innovation and guiding product development and testing. 'Since day one, we've been dedicated to making sure that people with sensitive skin can enjoy skincare and makeup that is not only safe and effective, but also backed by science. Our new advisory board brings together some of the top leading minds in sensitive skin science to help us continue to innovate and educate. It's truly an honor to be able to work so closely with Dr. Joyce and Dr. Killeen, and I can't wait to introduce them to our community,' shared Amy Liu, Founder and CEO of Tower 28. Founding members of Tower 28's Medical Advisory Board Dr. Kelly Killeen and Dr. Joyce Park. Founding members of Tower 28's Medical Advisory Board include Dr. Joyce Park, a Board-Certified Dermatologist based in Washington, and Dr. Kelly Killeen, a Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California. With a deep focus on sensitive skin and evidence-based care, Dr. Park brings clinical expertise and a passion for public health education, sharpened through fellowships with the World Health Organization. Known for making dermatology approachable, inclusive, and grounded in science. Her work helps bridge the gap between expert advice and everyday skincare, making trusted education accessible to all. 'I'm so excited to officially join Tower 28's Medical Advisory Board because this is a brand I've genuinely loved for years—they're leaders in creating high quality skin-friendly makeup and skincare that's especially great for sensitive skin,' said Dr. Park. 'As a dermatologist who treats lots of sensitive skin and has sensitive skin myself, that really matters to me. Tower 28 goes a step beyond and actually does clinical testing on sensitive skin, to make sure that their products really are gentle enough for everyone to use.' As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Killeen, offers a deep understanding of skin anatomy, healing, and confidence—helping individuals think holistically about beauty, from barrier health to what makes someone truly glow. 'I've been involved with Tower 28 for a really long time. When Amy first launched this brand, I was watching because I was her friend. But then, I became excited because she was using hypochlorous acid. This is an ingredient that I had started using in my surgical practice. We use this in the operating room, we use it to treat wounds, and I know the power of this special ingredient,' she added. Amy Liu, Founder and CEO of Tower 28. Liu added that the Medical Advisory Board was formed to ensure that sensitive skin isn't just considered, it's the basis for everything Tower 28 creates. 'This group of top medical professionals guides us across three core areas: product development, education, and testing. Right now, they're helping us think through how to expand our SOS line in ways that address the evolving needs of sensitive skin, from identifying new formats that calm skin without disrupting the barrier, to evaluating new ingredients that target inflammation while still meeting our clean standards. They also partner with us to create accessible, science-backed education, shared across our social channels, website, and press, and help us proactively address misinformation around skincare trends. Their involvement ensures we're not just making safe products - we're pushing innovation forward for people with sensitive skin,' she further explained. On the heels of this announcement, Tower 28 launched their new SOS mineral sunscreen clinically proven to be non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic, won't burn eyes, and boasts three medical seals of approval. As chronic eczema sufferer, Liu often felt chemical sunscreens left her skin burning. The sunscreen has a whipped, creamy texture that feels like a lightweight moisturizer with no white cast or orange tint. Formulated with gentle non-nano zinc oxide, it provides broad-spectrum UVA + UVB protection and is even ophthalmologist-approved packed with skin-soothing ceramides, allantoin, and alpha bisabolol to keep skin calm and breakout-free. With this new Medical Advisory Board and continued innovation integrating skincare and makeup, Tower 28 is breaking barriers and giving those with sensitive skin science-backed, high performing options that won't irritate their skin conditions.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctor reveals 'often overlooked' body part that you MUST clean everyday, or risk serious health issue
A skin doctor has warned that forgetting to wash behind the ears could lead to eczema, nasty infections and even life-threatening sepsis. According to Dr Roger Kapoor, a dermatologist at Beloit Health System in Wisconsin, this part of the body is rife for trapped dirt, oil and dead skin—yet people rarely think to clean it. Bacteria 'stuck' in the crease can migrate to open wounds, such as ear piercings or scratches inside the ear, and trigger dangerous infections, he added. ''I always recommend people wash the skin behind their ears intentionally and specifically to get into the creases of where the ear meets your skin,' he told Parade. 'It can always trap grime.' In severe cases, these infections could spread to other parts of the body and enter the bloodstream. While rare, this could lead to life-threatening sepsis—when the body attacks its own tissues, causing organs to gradually shut down. Dr Kapoor also flagged the risk of eczema, an inflammatory condition that causes sufferers to develop flaky, scaly patches which are often itchy and look red. The build up of oil, dirt and sweat can create a moist environment for bacteria and fungus to thrive, which can cause or worsen eczema as well as general skin irritation. Over time, the oil build-up can block pores, causing unsightly spots or acne breakouts. The combination of dirts trapped behind your ear is also likely to leave you with a foul smell. Dr Kapoor said while shampoo contains ingredients to help break down oil and bacteria, they are not the best option as it washes away when rinsing. This means the cleansing substances don't have contact with the skin for long. He advised using a gentle soap and scrubbing behind the ears with fingers to clean the area thoroughly. The dermatologist also recommended washing the arms of glasses regularly as they rest behind the ears and can easily transfer bacteria to the skin. It comes as a significant portion of Britons say they miss certain body parts during showers, like washing their feet (49 per cent) or toes (60 per cent), a 2020 survey by Plumbworld revealed. One survey, conducted by YouGov in 2019, found only half of people in the UK shower every day, with one in four only opting for one every two days. Nearly one in 20 Britons reported only shower once a week, and one in 100 once per month.
WebMD
23-05-2025
- Health
- WebMD
Being Thrown Into the Unknown World of Eczema as a Parent
I'm lucky. While I've had my fair share of things, I've never had a problem with my skin. Therefore, my very first exposure to eczema didn't come until I was 21 years old, living overseas in New Zealand. I went to visit a lady my friend and I were helping, and her baby girl was covered head to toe with these red, scaly patches. For the hour or so we were there, she cried and itched, and itched some more. 'Sorry,' her mom said, trying to calm her down. 'Her eczema's just driving her crazy.' That poor baby girl was miserable. I've never forgotten the look in her eyes as she fought a condition she never asked for, one I've never had to deal with. You could see the frustration as she tried her hardest to relieve the pain and irritation. While I felt bad for her, that was the extent of it. I wasn't her mom, after all, and I didn't even really know what eczema was. Whenever I heard about it in the future, I immediately thought of terrible, red, scaly patches that covered any healthy-looking skin and took all of the person's focus and sanity. I didn't know that it could look different. That all changed when my daughter developed itchy red bumps on her elbows. I tried rubbing lotion on to relieve the itching, to no avail, so eventually, I took her in to see the doctor. He prescribed a cream to make the bumps go away, and while it did help, they always came back. I had no idea it was eczema at this point; I just knew her elbows always bothered her. As long as I had some of that cream the doctor gave me accessible, it was fine. We could manage it. Then, my oldest daughter started developing itchy patches. 'My wrists hurt, Mom,' she'd say, scratching them as if her life depended on it. Since I had no experience with any of this, I chalked it up to dry skin. Sure, the skin around her wrists was extra rough and even a bit leathery, but surely it was nothing some good hydrating lotion couldn't fix. We did live in Colorado, after all, where the air was much drier, especially in the winter. The skin around her wrists and the bumps on her sister's elbows looked different, so I didn't even think for a minute they could be related. The elbow bumps were small and red, for one thing, and the skin around the wrists was tough and patchy. But, even with their differences, the one thing they both did have in common was that even with fancy lotions and creams and diligence, the skin problems always came back. I didn't get it. What was I doing wrong? A few years passed. Not only did the patches never fully go away, but they also seemed to spread. Now my daughter with the bumps on her elbow had itchy, patchy bumps on her arms as well. When my youngest was born in 2023, she developed a red area on her cheek at only a few months old. 'Oh, it's impetigo,' the doctors said. 'Apply this cream, and it'll be gone in a jiff.' So I did but only ... it wasn't. So they gave me another cream, an oil they said would make a difference. And the oil did help, especially if I made sure to apply it both morning and night. But even if it went fully away one day, it came back the next. I was at the end of my rope. She developed similar patches on her arm and leg, and all three of them were itchy, continually scabbing over, and frustrating. Maybe it's the fact that she was a helpless baby or that she had a patch on her cheek, but I wanted to figure out what was going on. Why did all my daughters have something that bothered them with their skin? Thanks to a competent doctor, the mystery was finally solved. All three of my girls were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and given a prescription that could actually help them. And though I'm realizing that eczema isn't just something you clear up one time and it's gone, I now feel like I have the tools to manage it. Before, I was using my limited knowledge to help them. I'd never experienced eczema, so it seemed perfectly reasonable to me that their different conditions were just dry skin or some strange flare-up. But now, although this is all completely new to me, I know that I can be there for them and get them the help they need. We're figuring it out together, one day at a time.
CNA
16-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Living with eczema is harder than I thought, but it's taught me to celebrate the small wins
In April 2023, I was looking forward to my first ever snowboarding trip. I'd wanted to do it for a while, but had always put it off because I had reservations with dry weather – a necessary caution for me due to my eczema. Eczema first appeared on the skin around my eyes when I was 16. Later on, I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis on other parts of my body. The usual suspects would be the crooks of the elbows, behind the knees, armpits – any areas of the body extra susceptible to trapped perspiration. Earlier this year, I was also diagnosed with dyshidrotic eczema, also known as pompholyx eczema. It manifests on the hands and feet, and is associated with excessive hand-washing, use of sanitisers, and emotional stress. Mine manifests on my hands, and is exacerbated in dry weather. Because of that, spending 10 days in the snowy mountains is a lot less fun for me than the average person. Nevertheless, I had the belief that I could do anything as long as I put my mind to it. I decided I wouldn't let anything stop me from checking snowboarding off my bucket list, and booked my plane ticket to France. Each day, we went for snowboarding lessons and each evening I would wince in the shower, trying to wash my hair with my cracked fingertips. When I went to bed each night, I would carefully position my hands palms facing up so I wouldn't dirty my sheets with the sticky moisturiser I slathered on to heal and soothe my inflamed skin. Honestly, the trip was great and I made many new friends. But I spent all 10 days smiling through my pain – my constant, relentless pain. I still believed I could do anything I wanted if I put my mind to it. But on that trip, I realised: Just because I can, doesn't mean I should. When I returned to Singapore, my energy levels crashed. I had to spend a few days 'hibernating', recuperating the physical, mental and emotional energy drained from me over 10 days of coping with my aggravated skin problems. So much for a holiday. ALL DAY, EVERY DAY Eczema is fairly common in Singapore, affecting one in five children and one in 10 adults. I'm just one of hundreds of thousands that suffer from this condition – and this number is only increasing with each year. For more than 10 years, eczema has been a constant (if somewhat inconsistent) presence in my life. But as I grew older, I started noticing that it was taking longer and longer to heal between flare-ups. In 2021, at age 26, I had yet another flare-up on my hands. I defaulted to my usual management strategy – topical steroid creams and moisturiser. But two to three years on, I realised that my skin had never seemed to fully recover. In fact, it was only getting worse each time. In January this year, strange-looking blisters called vesicles started appearing on my hands, taking my discomfort to a new peak. Getting on with my life became cumbersome and painful. Even the simplest of tasks became agonising ordeals – tying my shoelaces, preparing meals, cleaning, and so on. The worst was whenever I had to wash my hands or take a shower. Water and soap would seep into the cracks on my fingers and hands, and every single time, it would sting and burn. On top of this, my hands itched several times throughout each day. I had to start dedicating more and more energy to just ignoring it; a simple lapse in willpower might result in me scratching and breaking my skin. I often find myself unable to control myself in sleep, so when I wake up the next day, I feel a wave of guilt but also lethargy. I have to force myself to stay alert throughout the day, to get through my tasks at work or at home. I become more anxious when my condition worsens, which makes it even harder to heed my doctor's advice to avoid stress. Enduring this discomfort every single day sapped my energy and left me exhausted and empty. When I was younger, I would tell myself that I just needed to 'push through' it, but that only led me to burnout. Nowadays, I'm much more prudent with my stores of energy. But it's easy to fall back into the trap of thinking that I need to be more productive, that I need to push myself to the limit to achieve more. After all, so many narratives in the public eye seem to exalt such actions. A HEAVY BURDEN TO BEAR The reality is that eczema, as well as countless other chronic illnesses, places a huge mental load on sufferers, impacting and shaping their lifestyles. The cognitive and emotional effort involved in managing daily life, especially household chores, multiplies manifold but remains invisible. I'd read about other patients with very severe eczema who need round-the-clock care, special baths and a cocktail of pills to even survive. Influencer Tammie Ong doesn't have eczema, but has several other incurable, chronic conditions – she even has to ingest nutrients through a tube. I can scarcely imagine the mental load her and other chronic disease sufferers have on top of the toll exacted by their physical impairments and debilitations. When I cook, I have to take extra effort to find recipes that require minimal prep. In buying groceries, I fork out more for pre-chopped ingredients to avoid having to handle and wash them too much. I try to stick to exercise options that don't require me to use my hands a lot – standing HIIT workouts, for instance, or stair training. I had to get a strap to carry my phone everywhere with me, for the days where digging into my pockets is simply too painful. And of course, I worry often about costly medical fees. All this greatly frustrated me at first. But now, I'm learning to come to terms with my new reality, and focus on the positives. I'm aware that I'm in a much better position than many others, for one. I count myself lucky that there are varied treatment options that are accessible to me, and that I'm able to work in an air-conditioned environment. My loved ones patiently support me and pick up the slack – my mother and grandfather always pack extra portions of food for me when I visit, and my partner pre-cuts my fruits and veggies so I can have easy access to them. I've also learnt to start celebrating my own efforts, no matter how small the task seems. I'm learning to applaud myself for keeping my spaces clean, and for working out even though I could easily call it a day on account of my eczema. One of the advantages of being stubbornly determined is that it still doesn't completely stop me from doing what I want. At the start of 2025, I went on my second snowboarding trip. It was a lot more painful than the first, given that my eczema has intensified over the last few years. Everything was worse: Showers were more unbearable, the dry air seemed to siphon moisture out of my skin even through layers of moisturiser, and I had many teary fits of sheer frustration. Strangely enough, I still don't regret it. It taught me that there's no shame in listening to my body, and letting go of something I want to pursue so I can care for my well-being. I'm sure it won't be the last snowboarding trip of my life – but for now I need to focus on taking care of myself. Even though it's goodbye for now, I'm looking forward to the many other new experiences awaiting me. Kora Fong is a digital analyst at CNA Digital.
