The made-for-Asia itch-relieving cream that’s spreading around world, and the Singapore doctor behind it
Seeing ‘a clear unmet need’ in his patients, dermatologist set about developing a fast-acting cream that soothes the nerves behind an itch. Developed for hot, humid Asia, it’s found a following in West
Most of us are likely to have experienced the nuisance of an itch: a tiny spot typically triggers an uncontrollable itch that continuously spreads for days as you scratch and scratch some more. It drives you crazy.
Dermatologist Dr Tey Hong-liang, a consultant at Singapore’s National Skin Centre and founder of its Itch Clinic, has had patients who have scratched themselves till their skin was scarred and infected, and resembled that of an elephant’s – rough, thickened and with nodules.
“At some point in our lives all of us will be bothered by itch to some degree; many patients are tormented by it,” Tey tells the Post during a recent visit to his Singapore clinic. “Some patients tell me they can tolerate pain but not itch. There are even patients who say they are contemplating suicide because the symptom is causing them so much pain. The sad thing is we didn’t have any treatment that was good for itch. There was a clear unmet need.”
So Tey decided to devise his own solution – a safe and effective itch-relieving cream that patients would enjoy using. The resulting product, launched in Singapore in April 2015 and now available in Hong Kong, has been so successful the value of its worldwide retail sales is set to reach S$2 million (HK$10.9 million) in its first two years on the market.
Called Suu Balm, the light, non-greasy and highly absorbable moisturising cream was designed for hot and humid Southeast Asian climates, but people in cooler climates such as that in Ireland have also found it a lifesaver for a condition known as winter itch. With cold temperatures, skin often becomes dry, flaky and itchy, and sensitive skin and allergies tend to be aggravated. As Hongkongers begin to bundle up for the season, many could soon begin to experience this winter itch.
