Ekzema (eczema) is a group of conditions that make the skin dry, itchy and irritated; the most common type, atopic eczema, usually starts in childhood, comes and goes in flare-ups, and is not contagious. Other types include contact dermatitis, discoid eczema and pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema), which causes itchy blisters on the hands or feet. There is no cure for atopic eczema, but daily moisturisers (emollients) used at least twice a day, washing with an emollient instead of soap, avoiding triggers and steroid creams for flare-ups can keep it under control. In Malaysia, the proportion of children with atopic eczema rose from 9.5% in 1995 to 12.6% in 2003.
What is ekzema (eczema)?
Ekzema is the Malay term for eczema. According to the NHS, eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become dry and irritated.
The most common type is atopic eczema, also called atopic dermatitis. It affects people of all ages but is most common in young children. It often runs in families and is linked to other conditions such as asthma and hay fever (see our guide to resdung). It cannot be cured, but treatment can help manage the symptoms.
Eczema is common in Malaysia. According to a summary of Malaysia's clinical practice guidelines on atopic eczema, published by Ministry of Health doctors, the proportion of Malaysian children with atopic eczema rose from 9.5% in 1995 to 12.6% in 2003.
What are the signs of eczema?
According to the NHS, atopic eczema can make your skin:
- itchy;
- dry, cracked, crusty, scaly or thickened;
- red, white, purple or grey, or lighter or darker than the skin around it, depending on your skin tone;
- blister or bleed.
It can appear anywhere, but it is common on the elbows, knees and hands, especially in the skin creases. In babies and toddlers it is also common on the face. There are usually times when the symptoms get worse, called flare-ups, and times when they are better.
Itching can disturb sleep; see our guide to susah tidur. For other causes of itchy skin, see gatal kulit.
What are the types of eczema?
According to the NHS, the main types of eczema are:
| Type | What it looks like | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Itchy, dry, cracked patches, often in skin creases; on the face in babies | The most common type; often runs in families with asthma or hay fever |
| Contact dermatitis | Itchy, blistered, dry and cracked skin, most often on the hands and face, within hours or days of contact | Caused by an irritant (such as soap, detergent or regular contact with water) or an allergen (such as cosmetics or nickel); usually clears if the trigger is avoided |
| Discoid eczema (nummular eczema) | Circular or oval patches that may blister and ooze, then become dry and crusty | The centre can clear and be mistaken for ringworm (kurap) |
| Pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema) | Itchy blisters on the hands or feet that come and go, usually lasting 2 to 3 weeks at a time | Usually a long-term condition; triggers can include detergents, nickel, wet hands, stress, heat and sweat |
| Varicose eczema | Eczema that most often affects the lower legs | Caused by problems with blood flow through the leg veins |
Punca eczema: what causes it and what makes it worse?
According to the NHS, it is not always known what causes atopic eczema. You are more likely to have it if one or both of your parents have it, or you or a close family member has asthma or hay fever. Eczema is not contagious, so you cannot catch or spread it.
Atopic eczema can be made worse by:
- contact with irritants or allergens such as soap, washing detergent, pets, some fabrics, pollen, house-dust mites or certain foods;
- heat or changes in temperature, and sweat;
- skin infections, such as a staph infection;
- stress;
- hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy.
Malaysia's clinical practice guidelines also list fabrics such as nylon and wool as physical irritants. A Malaysian dermatologist has said the country's hot climate, urbanisation, allergens and irritating personal care products can worsen flare-ups.
Pantang larang ekzema: do you need to avoid certain foods?
Many people search for pantang larang ekzema, foods to avoid with eczema. According to the NHS, you should not change your diet unless a doctor tells you to, and this includes mothers who are breastfeeding a baby with eczema.
According to the summary of Malaysia's guidelines, the role of food allergy in eczema remains unclear, although food may worsen eczema in children under 2, especially milk, eggs and peanuts. If you think a food is making your child's eczema worse, speak to a doctor rather than cutting out foods yourself.
Cara merawat eczema at home
The NHS recommends these steps for atopic eczema:
- apply moisturising treatments (emollients) as often as possible, at least 2 times a day, and keep using them even when your eczema improves;
- wash with an emollient instead of soap;
- apply your emollient as soon as you have patted your skin dry after washing, a bath or a shower, when the skin most needs moisture;
- avoid things that make your eczema worse, such as soap, washing detergent, some fabrics or pets;
- keep cool, as being hot can make eczema more itchy;
- keep nails short and put anti-scratch mittens on babies;
- do not scratch: gently rub the itchy area with your finger instead;
- do not put your fingers into an emollient pot: use a spoon or pump dispenser, and do not share your emollient;
- do not use aqueous cream, as it can irritate the skin and make eczema worse;
- do not smoke or go near naked flames if you use an emollient, because emollients on clothing, dressings and bedding can catch fire more easily.
For pompholyx, the NHS also suggests washing your hands with warm (not hot or cold) water, wearing cotton-lined gloves when using shampoos, cleansers or detergents, and not bursting the blisters.
Ubat eczema: what treatments are there?
A pharmacist can advise on small areas of dry, slightly itchy eczema. If it is more severe, see a doctor. The main treatments are:
| Treatment | What it does |
|---|---|
| Emollients (moisturising creams, lotions, ointments) | The mainstay of treatment for all ages and all stages, from mild to severe. They improve the skin barrier and dryness, reduce itching and reduce the need for steroid creams. There is no reliable evidence that one emollient works better than another. |
| Topical corticosteroids (steroid creams and ointments) | The first-line treatment for flare-ups in children and adults. They range from mild (such as hydrocortisone 1%) to very potent (such as clobetasol), and are used together with emollients. After a flare-up settles, they are reduced gradually to avoid a rebound. |
| Topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) | Non-steroid creams that may be used for flare-ups; licensed for children over 2 |
| Sedating antihistamines | May be used for a short time at bedtime if itching disturbs sleep; not a substitute for creams |
| Specialist treatments | For severe eczema that does not respond: light therapy (phototherapy), tablets that calm the immune system, and other medicines, usually under a dermatologist |
If eczema is weeping or keeps getting infected, a doctor may suggest short-term soaks in diluted potassium permanganate solution. Antibiotics are only used when there are signs of infection.
Be careful with steroid creams bought without advice
Steroid creams are the first-line treatment for flare-ups, but problems can happen when they are used for a long time without guidance. A Malaysian consultant dermatologist warned in 2026 that more patients were using over-the-counter steroid creams or traditional remedies for weeks or months without proper guidance. These may relieve symptoms for a while but can worsen the condition and cause side effects such as skin thinning, stretch marks and skin that bruises easily.
Malaysia's guidelines advise that the use of steroid creams is reviewed every 3 to 6 months. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which strength to use, where and for how long, and be careful with creams sold online that do not clearly list their ingredients.
Eczema in babies and children
Atopic eczema usually starts in babies and young children and tends to get better as they get older. In babies it is common on the cheeks and face.
- keep your baby's nails short and use anti-scratch mittens;
- protect babies' hands and cheeks with an emollient before mealtimes to stop them getting sore from food and drink;
- according to the summary of Malaysia's guidelines, in babies with a parent or sibling who has an atopic condition, daily use of an emollient significantly reduces the risk of developing eczema;
- the same guidelines say hydrolysed formula should not be offered to babies in preference to breast milk to prevent eczema.
When should you see a doctor?
See a doctor at a klinik kesihatan or a GP if you or your child have symptoms of eczema, or treatments are not helping.
Get urgent medical help if you or your child have eczema and:
- it is blistered, crusty, leaking fluid or has spots filled with pus;
- it is painful, swollen or feels warm;
- it suddenly gets worse or bigger;
- you have a high temperature or feel generally unwell.
According to the NHS, these can be signs that eczema is infected, or of a more serious condition called eczema herpeticum, and you may need treatment such as antibiotics. For other skin infections, see our guide to bisul (boils). If you are unsure whether it is eczema or psoriasis, see our guide to psoriasis.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is ekzema (eczema)?
Ekzema is the Malay term for eczema, a group of conditions that make the skin dry, itchy and irritated. The most common type is atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis), which usually starts in babies and young children. In Malaysia, the proportion of children with atopic eczema rose from 9.5% in 1995 to 12.6% in 2003.
Is eczema contagious?
No. Atopic eczema is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from someone or spread it to others. However, eczema can become infected, so see a doctor if it becomes crusty, leaks fluid or pus, is painful, swollen or warm, or you feel unwell.
Can eczema be cured?
There is currently no cure for atopic eczema, but treatment can help manage the symptoms, and symptoms tend to get better as children get older. Contact dermatitis usually improves or clears up completely if the substance causing it is identified and avoided.
What is the best cream for eczema (ubat eczema)?
Moisturisers called emollients are the main treatment for all types and stages of eczema and should be used at least twice a day, even when the skin looks better. Steroid creams (topical corticosteroids) are used to treat flare-ups. No single emollient has been shown to work better than another, so use the one that suits your skin.
What soap should I use for eczema (sabun untuk eczema)?
The NHS advises washing with an emollient instead of soap, because soap, washing detergents and other irritants can make eczema worse. Apply your emollient as soon as you have patted your skin dry after a bath or shower.
Do I need to avoid certain foods (pantang larang ekzema)?
Do not change your diet unless a doctor tells you to, including if you are breastfeeding a baby with eczema. According to a summary of Malaysia's clinical practice guidelines, food may worsen eczema in children under 2, especially milk, eggs and peanuts, but the role of food allergy in eczema remains unclear.
What is the difference between eczema and psoriasis?
Both cause dry, itchy patches and are not contagious. Psoriasis is caused by the skin making more skin cells than usual and typically forms patches with silvery-white scales, while atopic eczema is common in the skin creases such as the elbows and knees and often starts in childhood. A doctor can tell them apart.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Atopic eczema — NHS
- Contact dermatitis — NHS
- Discoid eczema — NHS
- Pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema) — NHS
- Emollients — NHS
- Psoriasis — NHS
- Azizan NZ, et al. Management of atopic eczema in primary care (summary of the Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines). Malays Fam Physician. 2020;15(1):39
- Specialist warns misuse of steroid creams worsening eczema among children (13 January 2026) — Malay Mail
