Being the father of an active three-year old boy who has been experiencing skin irritation of late, I’ve been wondering: Is this eczema and how does the condition occur in children these days? Little did I know that eczema is more than just a skin problem. It is the body’s reaction to allergens which manifest themselves as symptoms which we refer to as eczema. In fact, eczema affects all ages and is considered a sign of an allergy. Many factors could cause nasty itching or swelling on our skin. Parents can avoid a world of grief if they better understand the condition and learn how to protect our little ones from allergies.

The thing is, Nathan doesn’t have severe allergy problems. Still, I was concerned when I caught him occasionally scratching both arms and there were red patches near his neck. Trimming his nails is a good way to prevent his irritated skin from getting worse. I racked my head for possible causes of his skin irritation. Could it have been triggered by my washing detergent, the food Nathan had consumed, or his daily shower foam?

l decided to take him to a paediatrician. As an Eastlander Dad, I needed to find a reliable paediatrician in east Singapore whose specialty is allergies in  children. While googling for a suitable doctor, Dr Mohana Rajakulendran of Parkway East Paediatric Clinic popped out on my search results. Dr Mohana is a paediatrician at Parkway East Hospital, and her clinic is located right inside the hospital. She specialises in paediatric food and drug allergies, as well as treating respiratory allergies for children. I decided to bring Nathan to visit Dr Mohana in hopes that she could help resolve Nathan’s mild eczema problems.

Sharing My Daddy Experience with Parkway East Hospital (PEH)

Parkway East Hospital is conveniently located in the Eunos-Katong area and offers a comprehensive range of clinical specialties. As we are no strangers to Parkway East Hospital, I  knew how efficient the hospital’s A&E department was. 

I still remember when Kayden was three years old, and he could not bend his left elbow after a bad fall during playtime. I was helpless and wanted to get to the nearest hospital. Hence, my wife and I brought Kayden to PEH’s A&E department.

In less than 30 minutes, we managed to consult an A&E doctor. Although I could not remember the doctor’s name, he fixed Kayden’s elbow by “pushing” it back to its original position with a crack. I was impressed!

Immediately, Kayden could move his left elbow freely without feeling any pain. The A&E doctor was assuring, and it was an unforgettable experience.

Our Saturday Visit to Parkway East Paediatric Clinic

Dr Mohana’s clinic, Parkway East Paediatric Clinic (PEPC), is located at level 3 of Parkway East Hospital. After getting Nathan registered, my little boy busied himself with the toys in the clinic. After about 20 minutes of waiting, it was our turn.

Dr Mohana Shares About Eczema in Children

Most of us think that eczema is genetically inherited from one’s parents. Well, our parents are not to blame for everything. Many other factors such as food, washing detergent, shower foam and our environment also contribute to nasty itching on our children’s baby-soft skin. I have observed that food allergies can trigger eczema symptoms, as I have a friend who developed body rashes after consuming shellfish, like prawns.

Unlike most paediatricians who are always in a rush during consultations, Dr Mohana was patient with us. She answered all my questions about eczema in kids thoroughly, while Nathan was kept occupied with colouring pens and paper.

For the benefit of my fellow parent readers, I have summarised what I learned from Dr Mohana  into 6 pro tips to prevent eczema in young children. Here we go!

Pro-tip #1: Expose our little ones to different types of food early so that they can build up tolerance of allergenic foods. Offering children a variety of food from peanut butter to seafood in small amounts from as young as 6 months will minimise the chances of eczema as they grow older. Keeping a food diary will be helpful.

Pro-tip #2: Avoid shower foam with lots of bubbles for your little ones, especially when they start to develop mild symptoms of eczema. In other words, opt for soap-free brands such as QV, Cetaphil and Physiogel, as they don’t irritate sensitive skin with fragrances and parabens.

Pro-tip #3: Determine whether your baby has dry skin. Touch those areas with folds such as the arms, neck and behind the ears. If the skin feels rough, this clearly means that your baby has dry skin. As diagnosed by Dr Mohana, Nathan’s itch on both his arms is due to skin dryness. The solution is to apply moisturising eczema cream on the affected area twice a day. Do note that lotion doesn’t have effects as lasting as moisturising cream, so be sure to use the correct product.  Apply on damp skin right after showering with a soap-free shower gel to drastically improve dry skin. 

Pro-tip # 4: Clothe your child in 100% cotton, as it allows the skin to breathe. If you are using washing detergent for your baby clothes, choose organic detergent. A second rinse cycle is recommended to ensure that all chemical residue is washed off the laundry before it is hung out to dry.

Pro-tip #5: Prepare to be shook! Dr Mohan recommended that parents minimise the use of fabrics such as carpets and curtains around the house. The reason is that fabrics attract dust mites. Dust mites are one of the most popular triggers for allergies. Remember to change your bedsheets every 2 weeks and wash them in water that is at least 60 degrees Celsius; remove stuffed toys from the bedroom and vacuum your fabric furniture regularly.

Pro-tip #6: Pack antihistamine medication if you are travelling. Zyrtec, for example, is a paediatrician-preferred medicine which temporarily eases any symptoms of allergies in your children. If the symptoms do not improve, you will need to consult a medical doctor for help.

Super-Fast Allergy Prick Test

Dr Mohana provides allergy prick tests for children, and the waiting time for the results is only 15 minutes! This is how it’s done: A single drop of each allergenic protein is applied to the skin and a tiny scratch is administered to see if your child has an allergic reaction.

I got Nathan tested for allergic reactions to shrimp and house dust mites. Fortunately, Nathan is not allergic to them as his skin did not react or swell after 15 minutes.

What I Have Learnt from Dr Mohana

Before I met Dr Mohana, my understanding of eczema for children was zero. After chatting with Dr Mohana, I seriously learnt a lot. She also busted the myth that steroid creams should always be avoided. Steroid cream is effective against eczema, but one should always follow a doctor’s prescription. 

Dr Mohana is very knowledgeable and experienced in the area of paediatric allergies. She is a very patient doctor, and I hope that she doesn’t mind that I am a little long-winded.

If you are looking for a paediatric doctor in the Eastern side of Singapore, I would recommend Dr Mohana. Here are her clinic details:

Parkway East Paediatric Clinic
319 Joo Chiat Place #03-07
Parkway East Medical Centre
Singapore 427989
Telephone: 62295849

Well-Baby Hours 

If your child requires a routine health assessment (for growth and development) or vaccinations, you can bring them to Parkway East Paediatric Clinic at the following hours:

Monday – Saturday
8:30am – 10.30am

(The above time slot is strictly for routine health assessments/checks and vaccinations only. Prior booking is recommended.)

For children with other conditions, please visit the clinic at the following timings:

Monday – Friday
10.30am – 1pm
2pm – 4.30pm

Saturday
10.30am – 1pm (closed on Sundays and public holidays)

You can also visit Dr Mohana at Parkway Shenton in Seletar Mall. She will be available by appointment only for Tuesday or Thursday, from 2 pm to 4:30 pm. Call 6214 0363 or visit bit.ly/2OfBP0h for the clinic details and contact.