TOP 3 SKIN WOES in Asia | Acne, Eczema and Urticaria | Korean Aesthetic Clinic

1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Urticaria

These are the top 3 skin woes affecting Asians, in alphabetical order. For Acne, learn the ABCs of it here. In this article, we will discuss eczema and urticaria.

ECZEMA

What is Eczema?

Atopic eczema is a chronic, itchy skin condition that is very common in children but may occur at any age.

Who gets it?

People with the triad of conditions-> atopic eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis

Whats the cause?

These include defects in skin barrier function making the skin more susceptible, and a host of genetic and environmental factors.

How do we treat it? 

Careful combination of steroids and moisturisers for treatment. Maintainence would include watching out for triggers like excessive hand washing AND extreme temperatures.

URTICARIA

What is urticaria?

Urticaria is a response characterised by hives and mucosal swelling.

It can be acute or chronic. Acute urticaria can be induced by the following triggers. Chronic urticaria occurs in people with underlying infection / autoimmune conditions.

Triggers	Examples
Cold Urticaria	Cold air on exposed skin Cold water Ice block Cryotherapy
Cholinergic Urticaria	Sweat induced by exercise Sweat induced by emotional upset Hot shower
Contact Urticaria	Latex saliva, meat, fish, vegetables
Pressure Urticaria	Carrying heavy bag Pressure from seat belt
Solar Urticaria	Sun exposure to non-habituated body sites Often spares face, neck, hands May involve long wavelength UV or visible light
Heat urticaria	Hot water bottle Hot drink

(Adapted from Dermnet)

How can we treat urticaria?

Antihistamines and avoiding the offending agent is the key for acute urticaria. The above is a fairly comprehensive overview of common triggers.