Is that red, itchy spot on the back of your hand caused by a new soap? Was it something you ate? Are you allergic to a fabric in your clothes? Getting to the source of why you're breaking out could be simple — eliminate the food, or the cleanser, or the fabric that's causing the rash. In some cases, though, it's more complicated. 

You might have heard of eczema, a condition that causes red, itchy skin that flares up periodically. An estimated 30 percent of Americans have eczema, mainly children and adolescents. While eczema is common, it's no ordinary rash, and its origins and treatments may be complicated. In fact, some forms of eczema are related to an overly robust immune response to common triggers, and at least one kind of eczema may be an autoimmune disease. (Source, Source)

In this article, we'll get to the bottom of what causes eczema, what we know about the role of genetics in its occurrence, and how eczema is diagnosed and treated.

What Is Eczema? 

Eczema refers to a group of inflammatory conditions characterized by dry, itchy skin, as well as rashes, scaly patches, blisters, and skin infections. There are seven types of eczema:

• atopic dermatitis
• contact dermatitis
• neurodermatitis
• dyshidrotic eczema
• nummular eczema
• seborrheic dermatitis
• stasis dermatitis

Each type has its own specific triggers and necessitates its own course of treatment. It is possible to have more than one kind of eczema at a time. (Source)

We don’t really know what causes eczema, but scientists believe it's actually a mix of genetics and triggers. The most common form of eczema — atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema — often occurs in people with autoimmune diseases and may itself be an autoimmune disorder. (Source, Source)  

What Is Atopic Dermatitis? 

Atopic dermatitis (AD), or atopic eczema, is the most common type of eczema in the United States. It's usually diagnosed in children, making its first appearance between the ages of 3 to 6 months. It’s less common for AD to appear for the first time in adulthood, but it does happen. When adults have AD (also known as adult-onset atopic dermatitis), it usually appears on the backs of the knees, crooks of the elbows, back of the neck, and face (often around the eyes). (Source, Source, Source) 

Known Triggers of Atopic Dermatitis

• skin Irritants and contact allergens: soap, fabric, deodorants, perfumes, metals, latex
• food: dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, wheat
• inhalant or aero-allergens: house dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, tree and grass pollens, mold 
• infections: herpes simplex (which causes cold sores and fever blisters), yeast infections, staph infections 
• climate: humidity, temperature extremes, seasonal changes 
• environmental factors: tobacco smoke, hard water 
• hormones: especially changes related to the menstrual cycle 
• stress: anxiety, lack of sleep 

(Source, Source)

Is Eczema an Autoimmune Disease?

The most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis, is hard to classify as purely an autoimmune disorder. Rather, it's a condition influenced by various triggers and moving parts, each of which must be addressed. 

We know that AD is the result of a cocktail of factors: the environment, genetics, and dysfunction in the immune system. However, this doesn't necessarily qualify it as an autoimmune condition. It may be considered an allergy, since for some the symptoms of AD are provoked by specific allergens. And many with AD also have other allergies, such as food sensitivities, asthma, and hay fever. (Source)

Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis symptoms vary from person to person, and not everyone has all the symptoms all the time. They can sometimes disappear for years and then recur. Possible symptoms include: 

• dry skin
• itching that may be intense and worsen at night 
• red to brownish-gray patches
• small, raised bumps that may weep and crust over if scratched
• thickened and cracked skin
• pain and swelling from scratching
• deep lines in the palms 

(Source, Source)

Causes of Atopic Dermatitis 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there's no one thing that causes AD. Instead, it's the result of a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and dysfunctions that occur in the skin and in the immune system. (Source)

Genetics 

You're more likely to develop AD if one or both of your parents have it, or if they have other allergic disorders such as asthma or hay fever. Here's what we know about the specific genetic elements of AD.

Mutations of the Filaggrin Gene 

The stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin. contains a protein known as filaggrin, which is critical to keeping the SC healthy and hydrated. Mutations in FLG, the gene that controls production of the protein, have been shown to reduce the amount of available filaggrin. Filaggrin deficiency, or changes in function that limit its ability to do its job, can disrupt the skin barrier and increase the risk of developing atopic dermatitis. About half of patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis have an FLG mutation. (Source, Source)  

Mutations of the CARD11 Gene

CARD11 is another gene that can have mutations associated with AD. In a study published in Nature Genetics in 2017, researchers found mutations in the CARD11 gene in 8 people from 4 unrelated families, each of whom suffered severe AD. Some of the people with the mutation had other health issues, but not everyone did. People with severe immune disorders often have multiple medical issues, but the researchers concluded that CARD11 mutations could cause AD without comorbidities. (Source) 

Both the FLG and CARD11 mutations follow an autosomal dominant pattern — that is, you only need to inherit a mutated gene from 1 parent to be at risk for developing AD. Should you inherit mutated genes from both parents, though, you are not only more likely to develop AD, your symptoms are likely to be more severe. (Source, Source)

Environmental Factors

A genetic predisposition means your skin is more prone to react to certain environmental factors, such as:

• low humidity that can cause skin dryness, especially if you are already prone to it 
• soaps that are alkaline or neutral that can change your skin’s pH
• stress that can lead to overproduction of cortisol, the stress hormone, and diminish skin barrier function 

(Source, Source)

Skin Dysfunction 

As mentioned above, the filaggrin protein plays an important role in the structure, formation, and maintenance of the outer layer of skin, which forms a barrier to keep moisture in and irritants out. When you don’t have enough filaggrin, your skin can become dry and itchy, and AD symptoms may be exacerbated. The damage to the barrier may also allow irritants and allergens to enter the body and interact with the immune system. (Source, Source) 

Immune System Dysfunction 

If you have AD your immune system may be in overdrive, causing chronic inflammation. When your immune system is functioning as it should, white blood cells known as T cells attack foreign substances. A subset of the T cells, known as T helper-2 lymphocytes (Th2), release proteins called cytokines that influence other cells to mount an immune response. Excessive cytokine production, though, increases inflammation and can make symptoms worse. Recent research suggests Th2 cytokines interact directly with the nervous system to cause the intense itching many eczema sufferers experience. (Source, Source)

In addition, in AD the immune system produces high levels of immunoglobulin E, a protein that acts as an antibody and attacks foreign substances. Immunoglobulin E is one of 5 types of immunoglobulin, and it's found in high levels in people with allergies. Immunoglobulin E causes symptoms of allergies, such as itching. (Source) 

How Is Atopic Dermatitis Diagnosed and Treated? 

Your health care provider can diagnose atopic dermatitis by looking at your skin and asking about your symptoms and medical history; no blood tests or other lab work are needed. However, patch testing, in which patches containing possible allergens are applied to your skin for a period of time (usually 48 hours) to see if you have a reaction, might be performed. (Source) 

Treating AD can be challenging, as it involves managing so many moving parts — triggers, inflammatory response, itch control, and making sure the skin barrier is fortified as much as it can be. (Source)

Some elements involved in the treatment of AD include: 

• topical medications: creams that help relieve itching and repair the skin 
• drugs that control inflammation: including steroids, such as prednisone 
• immunosuppressants: may be used to improve the skin barrier and reduce symptoms 
• drugs to fight infection: topical or oral, to prevent infection if your skin has open sores or cracks 
• diet: elimination of food triggers, addition of pre- and probiotics, fatty acids, vitamin D

(Source, Source, Source, Source, Source) 

Treating Atopic Dermatitis With Monoclonal Antibodies

In 2014 a team of researchers at Mt. Sinai in New York showed that dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody, helped resolve symptoms in people whose AD did not get better when they applied topical medications or avoided triggers. Dupilumab blocks specific cytokines involved in allergic inflammation and in 2017 was approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe AD. By 2020, however, reports began popping up of patients developing joint and tendon pain and tenderness after being treated with dupilumab. Other monoclonal antibodies that have been approved more recently include tralokinumab and abrocitinib, both of which have shown to have positive treatment outcomes. In addition, rocatinlimab is still in the clinical trial stage, but so far has proven to be tolerated well and safe for users, holding a promising future for those with atopic dermatitis. (Source, Source, Source, Source, Source)

Living With Atopic Dermatitis

As with most medical conditions, early diagnosis is vital to getting AD under control. And while managing the physical symptoms is key, it's also important to make sure you're getting emotional support. Adults with AD are more likely to develop depression and anxiety, due to the chronic nature of the condition and sensitivity about visible symptoms. (Source) 

Atopic dermatitis has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular diseases, likely because many with AD also have cardiovascular risk factors such as sleep disturbance and alcohol and cigarette use. (Source)

There is a potential connection between AD and other autoimmune conditions that are aggravated by inflammation, including celiac disease and Crohn's Disease, as well as other atopic conditions, such as alopecia and vitiligo. (Source)

Managing Eczema With Lifestyle Changes

In the case of eczema caused by environmental factors, immune system dysfunction, and food allergens or food sensitivities, it is appropriate to consider lifestyle changes to improve the health of your skin. Advanced testing may get to the root of why eczema is popping up in the first place, but treatment options may include lifestyle changes to manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups from potential triggers. 

Diet

Did you know that what you’re eating may be triggering your eczema? Learning what foods are flaring or exacerbating your skin can help manage symptoms. Consider adopting an anti-inflammatory diet to reverse and control inflammation from the inside out. An anti-inflammatory diet may limit or remove common food irritants such as: 

• dairy
• gluten
• grains
• red meat
• processed foods
• sugar

The autoimmune protocol diet (AIP) is an anti-inflammatory eating plan that may help you control flares by pinpointing which foods are causing reactions. By temporarily removing food irritants to which you may have an allergy or sensitivity, your gastrointestinal issues and gut health will have a chance to improve without the added stress of inflammatory triggers. (Source)

Irritants

You may wonder if any of your personal products can affect your eczema, and the answer is yes. Consider the lotions, make-up, laundry detergents, deodorants, and soaps that you use. If you’ve noticed symptoms of irritated skin after using certain products, it may be time to try gentler alternatives. The fewer ingredients the better, as simpler formulas will contain fewer potential irritants. Removing irritating chemicals from your daily routine with safer personal care products may help you reduce and avoid eczema flares altogether. (Source)

Stress Management

Stress can play a role in triggering an eczema response as well. Pay attention to how your skin responds when you experience high stress levels — you might find your skin becomes itchy, red, and inflamed during times of anxiety. If stress is a trigger for you, learning to manage it may help reduce flare-ups. Managing stress can look different for everyone, but the following tips may help:

• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Try breathing exercises.
• Practice yoga or mindful meditation.
• Stay active with 30 minutes of appropriate movement each day.

(Source)

Other Measures

In addition to the lifestyle changes above, the following may be potentially helpful to manage your eczema as well:

• Wear loose clothing and limit or avoid tight garments.
• Avoid hot showers and utilize gentle water pressure.
• Moisturize routinely with lotions, creams, ointments, or oils that are gentle on your skin and lock the moisture in.
• Consider light therapy, also called phototherapy, to treat skin with bright ultraviolet light.

(Source)

The Bottom Line

Eczema isn't one singular disease, but a group of inflammatory conditions that require different treatment and have different triggers. Atopic dermatitis, the most commonly occurring form of eczema, does involve some immune system dysfunction, but it doesn't fall neatly into the autoimmune disease category. 

In living with atopic dermatitis, it's essential to be open with your health care provider about the state of your physical and mental health. You deserve to feel your best in every facet of your life, regardless of your diagnosis. If you are struggling with eczema, a WellTheory Membership can provide personalized nutrition and lifestyle guidance to help you cultivate healthy skin and reduce flares. Working with a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner at WellTheory may just give you the approach you need to improve your quality of life with eczema.