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Eczema Treatments

Image by Towfiqu barbhuiya, Eczema Treatments? What type of Eczema Treatments Exist?

There are various treatments that exist to help alleviate symptoms of Eczema. A reminder that all of this can be discussed with proper medical professionals.

What are the causes of atopic dermatitis symptoms

In some cases, these symptoms arise because of a skin deficiency in the part of the skin known as the stratum corneum see: “What is the cause of atopic dermatitis?”

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The symptoms of atopic dermatitis lie in a number of root body functions, which are intended to prevent disease. However, these systems can overreact due to a number of different mechanisms, all of which can create atopic dermatitis symptoms. Here is a list of mechanisms that can lead to atopic dermatitis symptoms. 

How does IL-4 cause AD symptoms?

IL-4, a type of cytokine, stimulates atopic dermatitis inflammation by activating cells of the immune system, which in turn stimulate other inflammatory blood substances called cytokines. IL-4 also activates peripheral nerve cells, creating an itch sensation.

How does IL-13 cause atopic dermatitis symptoms?

IL-13, another type of cytokine, is a key immune reaction stimulant in atopic dermatitis. It suppresses the formation of the skin barrier, making it more likely that inflammatory agents enter the skin from the environment. This also creates a favorable environment for bacteria like S. aureus to survive. IL-13 also induces thickening of the skin, itching and skin redness.

How does IL-31 cause AD symptoms?

IL-31, another type of cytokine, is sometimes called the master itch cytokine. Beyond causing itch, it also suppresses the skin barrier, thickens the skin and generates an immune response.

How does PDE4 cause AD symptoms?

PDE4 destroys an anti-inflammatory molecule in the skin, making inflammation more likely to arise.

How does calcineurin cause atopic dermatitis symptoms?

​Calcineurin activates a particular immune cell that is a key stimulus for the body’s immune response, which leads to inflammation. This immune cell also activates other inflammation blood components called cytokines.

How does Janus kinase (JAK) cause atopic dermatitis symptoms?

JAK is part of the messaging system in cells that sends the signal  leading to inflammation and especially itch.

How does a compromised skin barrier cause atopic dermatitis symptoms

When the skin barrier is compromised, irritants, allergens and bacteria are allowed to enter, ultimately causing inflammation and the symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis.

How do my different treatment options resolve my eczema flare?

Since there can be many reasons that an atopic dermatitis flare arises, there are many ways that treatments can work. For sufferers with mild symptoms, treatment with common moisturizers which reduce skin dryness may work. Moisturizers increase skin hydration, which means the skin has more moisture in it. Increasing the moisturization makes the skin more supple and less open to cracking.

For more severe symptoms, there are advanced topical agents which can be applied to the skin. Some of these topicals actually restore the skin barrier to prevent environmental factors from stimulating symptoms, while others work to more aggressively treat common atopic dermatitis symptoms. For extreme symptoms many patients rely on biologic drugs, which are designed stop an overactive immune system. Most atopic dermatitis sufferers also continue to use topicals in conjunction with their biologic. Here is a list of agents that can treat the specific atopic dermatitis symptom causes outlined above.

How do aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonists reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms?

AHR agonists activate the AHR, which helps to maintain skin health. This can reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms by improving the skin-barrier and reducing the action of the inflammatory compounds know as cytokines. AHR agonists can also improve the skin environment, allowing healthy bacteria to reside on the skin.

How do IL-4 inhibitor drugs reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms?

IL-4 inhibitor drugs block the IL-4 receptor in the skin. This blocks signaling to both IL-4 and IL-13 molecules, which inhibits these compounds from stimulating an immune response and inflammation.

How do IL-13 targeting drugs reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms?

IL-13 inhibitors bind to the IL-13 molecule in the skin. This blocks the inflammation caused by this molecule, resulting in reduced itch, inflammation and skin scaling.

How do IL-31 targeting drugs reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms

IL-31 inhibitor drugs bind to the IL-31 receptor that resides in the skin, immune system and the nervous system. This blocks the inflammation and itch signal caused by this molecule, resulting in reduced itch and inflammation.

How do PDE4 targeting drugs reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms

PDE 4 inhibitor drugs inhibit the PDE 4 enzyme in the skin, thus having an anti-inflammatory effect.

How do JAK inhibitor drugs reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms

JAK inhibitors interrupt inflammation by blocking the JAK pathway within the immune cells. This results in reduced skin redness, improved skin barrier and less itch.

How do corticosteroid drugs reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms

Corticosteroids improve atopic dermatitis symptoms by stopping the body from producing pro-inflammatory molecules and calming the immune system. This reduces inflammation, including redness, swelling and itch.

How do skin-barrier enhancing creams reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms

Skin barrier-enhancing creams introduces compounds missing in the atopic dermatitis sufferer’s lipid matrix (the mortar). This helps restore the skin barrier to near normal or normal protective capacity, thereby eliminating or reducing the entry of irritants and allergens into the skin. “Effective AD management should control inflammation and flares, minimize Itching (pruritus) and dry, scaly skin (xerosis), reduce secondary infection, and include skin barrier restoration and protection”.2

Medically reviewed by
Peter Lio, MD, FAAD
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Last reviewed: January, 2026
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