May 2015

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HEALTH&FITNESS
May15
ITCHING
FOR
RELIEF
If you or your kiddo
are suffering from
eczema (skin
inflammation), trust
us, you’re not alone.
It’s a very common
dermatological
problem that can
occur anywhere from
the face to the feet;
many cases are seen
on wrists, ankles,
hands and the
backs of elbows and
knees, while many
infants develop it on
their faces. In fact,
Singapore has one of
the highest instances
of eczema, with
one in five children
suffering from it.
So what causes eczema? Research suggests that a genetic mutation
resulting in a lack of the protein filaggrin in the outer layer of the skin,
and subsequently a lack of moisture in the skin barrier, allows allergens
and irritants to get in, leading to inflammation and severe itching. Luckily,
skincare brand Cetaphil has a patented technology that can help soothe
eczema using filaggrin breakdown products to increase and retain moisture
content by supplementing the skin’s missing natural moisturising factors.
Cetaphil RestoraDerm Skin Restoring Moisturizer and Skin Restoring
Body Wash work to hydrate and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, thus
helping to relieve dry, itchy skin – and, perhaps, minimise reliance on the
topical use of corticosteroids. The products, which can be used daily, are
gentle enough for those with normal skin conditions and for the entire family
– even babies as young as three months old. The moisturiser and body
wash ($48 and $26, respectively) are available at all government hospital
retail pharmacies, and from most general practitioners and dermatologists.
For more information, visit .
GO BARE
If you’re looking to burn some calories for a
good cause, here’s your chance. The annual
barefoot fundraising and advocacy campaign,
Bare Your Sole , is back for a seventh year,
benefiting Habitat for Humanity Singapore.
Participants of all ages will come together on
30 May to experience what it’s like to walk in the
shoes, or lack thereof, of those less fortunate,
and to raise awareness and funds for Habitat
for Humanity Singapore’s local operations,
particularly local home-cleaning programme,
Project HomeWorks, which helps better the
living conditions of the elderly and disabled
living in one-room flats across the island.
Flag off at 8am at Palawan Beach, Sentosa.
Registration closes on 23 May. For more
information, visit
BRING ON THE NIGHT
The Sundown Marathon, one of Singapore’s
most popular night races, is back on 4 July,
with an anticipated 30,000 runners taking
to the streets for full and half marathons, as
well as 10K and 5K fun runs. Flag off at 5pm
at the F1 Pit Building. Register by 31 May at
.
Coming up