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Vanessa Mulquiney

FROM ACNE TO menstrual cramps, many conditions traditionally associated with teenagers  continue into adulthood.

Hong Kong accountant Simone Lockard, 29, has suffered from 'embarrassingly dry and itchy skin' since she was a child.  'When I finished studying and started full-time work, it became a bigger deal,' she says.  'I wanted to be confident when I met new people, but  eczema doesn't really do much for your confidence.'

Lockard isn't alone. Many people suffer such  problems into adulthood - and it's never too late to take action.

Here are possible solutions to the ailments we don't always outgrow.

Eczema

Mei Tam,  a member of the Australasian College of Dermatologists,  says eczema - characterised by dry and itchy skin - is common in children and can be aggravated by climate change and stress.

'Most children  improve with age if they belong to the mild spectrum of the disease, but patients with moderate to severe conditions don't clear  up completely.' Tam says that, from her  experience, Asians tend to suffer from the condition more than Caucasians.

Solution  Although there's no cure for eczema, steps can be taken to prevent it worsening. Tam suggests using soap substitutes and moisturisers   for sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

She says it's best to  use lukewarm  water when showering and to avoid wool and synthetic materials, which can aggravate the skin.

Topical creams and ointments suit Lockard's condition, but more severe cases of eczema require tablets   or phototherapy, says Tam. It's best to consult a dermatologist for an  assessment.

Lactose intolerance

Ji Kaiyu, gastroenterologist at Beijing United Family Hospital,  says  it's  common for some people's stomachs to churn (literally) at the thought of a glass of milk.

'Becoming intolerant to certain foods can and does occur at any stage of our lives,' Ji says. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body stops  making lactase, an enzyme produced in the small intestine that's needed to digest milk.

'Babies produce lactase, as do older children,' he says. 'As teenagers develop into young adults, lactase isn't produced any more and this can affect some people more than others.'

Ji says lactose intolerance is especially common across Asia, with up  to 90 per cent of Asians experiencing it to some degree.

'Europeans breastfed and drank animal milk, whereas thousands of years  ago, Asians didn't like to drink [animal] milk. It wasn't easy to get and, because the enzyme was never challenged, it wasn't produced in adulthood.'

Emily Li, 24, says she used to take a lot of dairy products -  warm  milk in the morning, tubs of flavoured yogurt for a sweet afternoon fix. But now they're a thing of the past.

'I used to drink lots of milk and yoghurt, especially when I was studying, because it fills you up,' she says. 'I don't know  when it happened, but I began to notice that, after having something like milk, I had stomach aches and felt sick. I still have it, but not as much.'

Solution Ji suggests cutting back  on  lactose  if stomach troubles are irregular and mild. If the symptoms are more severe and cause pain and discomfort, it's best to cut lactose from your diet completely and seek an alternative source of calcium. A doctor should assist with this.

Irregular periods

This is common during the first few years of menstruation and approaching  menopause. Wong Ching-yin, senior doctor at the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong,  says  irregular bleeding during the reproductive years (20s to 40s) may signal  a more serious condition, such as cervical cancer, but stress and weight problems can also lead to an irregular cycle.

Solution Women with irregular cycles  should consult a doctor immediately.

Menstrual cramps

Some women don't  notice the onset of their period, but for others, life stops when it starts. 'I'd always experienced really heavy bleeding since my period started, which I can cope with,' says  Melinda Huang, 31. 'It's the stomach cramps  and lower back pain I don't handle  well.'

And not many women do, according to recent US statistics.

Painful menstruation affects about 40 per cent of women and more than 140 million working hours are lost annually as a result of painful periods.

There are two types of menstrual cramps, says Wong. Primary dysmenorrhoea  occurs from the onset of menstruation   and there's no underlying medical problem.  This is considered normal, with women experiencing lower abdominal cramps,  headaches, diarrhoea and nausea, which can be treated with  painkillers.

Secondary dysmenorrhoea is caused by an underlying problem.  'The pain is different in this case,' says Wong. 'Pain lasts throughout the cycle and is progressive, and often outside the cycle.'

Solution Over-the-counter medicine can provide temporary comfort, as can hot-water bottles and chamomile tea. If  medicine doesn't provide relief and menstrual cramping  interrupts your daily activities, it's best to get a gynaecological  check-up.

Adult acne

If pimples are still popping up,  you're not alone. Dermatologist Tam says that  more than  15 per cent of adults in Singapore aged from 20 to 40 still  suffer from  the condition.

'Acne isn't normal, but it's extremely common,' she says. 'Acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum and sticky cells by the oil glands, resulting in blockages. It's an inflammation of the trapped oil that causes pimples.'

There are similar causes of acne in adults and teenagers,  but  most adult acne is caused by hormones from stress and menstruation, she says.

Solution Mild acne can be treated with over-the-counter lotions and ointments, whereas others may need to use a combination of treatments. Try a course of antibiotics or anti-androgen treatment, depending on the severity, says Tam.

'For  severe cases such as nodulocystic  acne [multiple acne affecting the face, chest, and back, which can lead to scars], isotretinoin  is the preferred medication.'

The contraceptive pill has been popular in treating pimples and, according to aerobics instructor, Annetee Maine, 29, it works. 'My skin was a complete nightmare and I used to hate going out,' she says. 'I was  so conscious of it that I could never let go and just enjoy myself.

'Some cautioned against taking the pill, but I just weighed up the pros and cons and I had to try it because I was getting really desperate.'

Maine's skin has  improved - as has her confidence. However, Tam says that the pill doesn't suit everyone, especially as a long-term solution. 'Patients who smoke, have  blood clots or  a history of breast cancer  probably shouldn't be prescribed the pill.'



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