Is Eczema an Autoimmune Disease? What to Know

Medically Reviewed By Joan Paul, MD, MPH, DTMH

While eczema shares some characteristics with autoimmune diseases, it is not classified as an autoimmune disease. Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease, and a variety of factors can contribute. These include environmental irritants, irregularities in the skin barrier, and atypical immune system responses. Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that may involve some immune system activity. People sometimes mistake eczema for an autoimmune disease because they share some characteristics.

For example, people with eczema can experience flare-ups in which an overactive immune system does play a role. However, the immune cells involved are not targeting one part of the body as they would with an autoimmune disease.

Read on to learn more about the difference between eczema and autoimmune diseases, what causes eczema, and which immune system treatments may be beneficial.

Is eczema an autoimmune disease? 

A person applying ointment to the back of their hand
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There are small but clear distinctions between eczema and autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system attacks healthy cells. While people with eczema tend to have Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source overactive immune systems, most forms of the condition are not technically autoimmune diseases.

In most eczema cases, the immune system is not targeting one specific part of the body. In an autoimmune disease, the immune cells are targeting one area of the body, such as the joints.

Some research suggests that atopic dermatitis, or eczema, may initially have allergy-related causes. However, as it progresses, it involves more severe autoimmune responses.

More research is needed to determine the exact link between eczema and the immune system.

Learn more about treatments and strategies for managing advanced eczema.

What other factors do experts think cause eczema?

Experts believe a combination of factors may play a role in eczema. Some of these factors include: 

  • an issue with the skin barrier that prevents it from retaining moisture
  • exposure to certain skin irritants such as household cleaners or fragrances
  • environmental allergens such as pollen, mold, and animal dander
  • food allergens
  • skin infections caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus 
  • hormonal changes around menstruation or pregnancy
  • stress

Avoiding triggers when possible is an important part of managing eczema.

Learn more about common eczema triggers.

Are people with autoimmune conditions more likely to develop eczema?

Some research does indicate that eczema and autoimmune diseases are comorbidities, or conditions that are present at the same time.

One large population-based study Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source indicates that adults with atopic dermatitis often have other autoimmune diseases related to skin, gut, or joint health. Their findings suggest that people who have multiple autoimmune diseases are more likely to experience atopic dermatitis than people with just one autoimmune disease.

However, it’s not clear whether these diseases cause eczema or vice versa. More research is necessary to clarify the link between autoimmune diseases and eczema development.

Learn more about autoimmune diseases.

Can treatments that influence the immune system benefit people with eczema?

An eczema treatment plan may involve medications that suppress the body’s immune system response and reduce inflammation. These medications can include:

  • Steroids: These medications can be taken by mouth or applied topically. Doctors may prescribe strong corticosteroids for short periods to manage severe flare-ups. Guidelines from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology state that medium-potency steroids may be beneficial as maintenance therapy.
  • JAK inhibitors: These oral medications, such as abrocitinib (Cibinqo) or upadacitinib (Rinvoq), disrupt certain signals from the immune system that drive inflammation.
  • Phosphodiesterase inhibitors: These medications, such as crisaborole (Eucrisa), can reduce inflammation and itching.
  • Calcineurin inhibitors: Calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) can be applied to the skin to relieve eczema symptoms.
  • Biologics: Injectable biologics such as dupilumab (Dupixent) work against certain proteins and keep them from promoting inflammation.

According to the National Eczema Association (NEA), doctors may reserve immunosuppressants for moderate to severe eczema.

Learn more about medical treatments and home remedies for eczema.

Summary

Eczema is a type of inflammatory skin disease that shares some characteristics with autoimmune diseases. An overactive immune system does play a role in the formation of eczema. However, immune cells are not targeting one specific part of the body in eczema.

Some research suggests that atopic dermatitis may initially have allergy-related causes but can evolve into an autoimmune response as it progresses. Further research also indicates that autoimmune diseases and eczema may be common comorbidities, especially if you already have more than one autoimmune disease. 

A combination of factors, including skin barrier issues, exposure to irritants and allergens, and hormonal changes can cause eczema. Treatment plans may involve avoiding triggers, topical treatments, and oral medications.

Talk with your doctor about ways to manage eczema.

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Medical Reviewer: Joan Paul, MD, MPH, DTMH
Last Review Date: 2023 May 26
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