Skin-safe solutions for eczema
DO you have skin problems such as eczema, dryness, chapping or pruritus? If you do, you are not alone. Studies show that 20%, or one in five of the world’s population suffer from some form of skin problem.
The trouble with skin problems is that it seldom affects the skin alone. People with skin problems usually tend to suffer emotional and psychological problems because others avoid them, fearing that their condition might be infectious.
Their skin problems result in low self-esteem and confidence levels, which affect social and economic development.
Then there’s the intense itching, which affects sleep and concentration. Children are the most affected, as sleep deprivation disrupts their studies and development.
In Malaysia, cases of eczema increased by 12.6% in the past year. One out of six children and one out of 10 adults suffer from eczema.
It is this alarming prevalence and the disruptive psycho-social factors associated with eczema that drove Farah Rahim and a group of friends to start a support group for mothers with children with eczema.
In barely four months since the “Asthma, Allergies, Eczema” (AAE) Facebook group was started, its membership has exceeded 700.
For many years, dermatologists believed skin problems were closely related to the immune system and the internal workings of the body.
That formed the “Inside Out” theory, where doctors advise people with skin problems to find out the triggers of their skin flares with skin patch tests and eliminate offensive foods from their diet.
Recent findings have moved towards the theory of “Outside In”, where dermatologists discover that eczema is better managed when the outer layer of the skin is kept moisturised with emollients.
Moisturisation keeps the skin supple, thus preventing tiny cracks that promote infection and slow down wound healing. People with eczema have been known to recover better and have less trouble with itching, dry and inflamed skin.
However, the contents of the emollients and moisturisers used may sometimes cause more harm than good. Creams for eczema that are prescribed by doctors usually contain small amounts of topical steroids to help contain inflammation, which can thin the skin if used for prolonged periods.
There may also be skin discoloration as the steroid causes a loss of pigments in the area treated. The affected skin may also bruise more easily or become hypersensitive, hence worsening the eczema.
Steroidal creams are especially harmful for children and babies, especially if not used carefully.
“Through our interaction with AAE members, we have found that current treatment using topical steroids and aqueous cream are not beneficial to sufferers. In fact, many members reported that these treatments worsened their condition,” said Farah.
Through Facebook, the AAE group helps members by providing a more structured approach to managing eczema. They raise awareness and help members understand the connection between allergies to specific factors and eczema. Members are encouraged to take a radioallergosorbent (RAST) allergy test or to undergo diet elimination to identify these allergens that will help better manage eczema.
The Moogoo’s Irritable Skin Balm which is also known as Eczema and Psoriasis Balm in Australia, is approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration. This steroid free cream is mild enough for children and babies, yet potent enough to provide long-term protection for problematic skin.
All products in the Moogoo range such as shampoo, conditioner, milk wash, anti-ageing cream, scalp cream, MSM soothing cream, full cream and udder cream are free of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) as well as other harmful components such as Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Propylene Glycol (PG), Isopropyl, Lanolin, allergenic agents Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA), Triethanolamine (TEA) and mineral oil.
• For details or to make a purchase, visit www.moogoo.my or call the customer careline at 03-7727 7999.
Moogoo products are also available at Caring Pharmacy, Vitacare Pharmacy and your neighbourhood pharmacies nationwide.
Visit Moogoo Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/my. Moogoo) to read the feedback from over 24,000 fans. If you are interested to join the AAE Facebook Group, go to http:// www.facebook.com/groups/ekzema/