Eczema: A Genetic or Environmental Skin Disorder?

Genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of eczema. Typical symptoms include redness, itchiness, and swelling.

This article discusses the genetic and environmental causes of eczema and what you can do to treat and manage the condition.

Eczema Has a Definite Genetic Link

While eczema possesses a genetic component, not everyone has a family history or inherited genes that can cause it to develop. The inflammation that sets off eczema can be associated with specific gene mutations. One specific gene involved in eczema development is the CARD11 gene. The CARD11 gene instructs the body to create a protein that helps with immunity.

Specific immune cells, known as lymphocytes, rely on the CARD11 protein to activate and attach to other proteins so that cells in the immune system can signal one another properly when faced with a foreign threat. When the gene mutates, the immune system doesn’t function as it should, and it can lead to eczema.

More commonly, eczema development occurs because of other genetic changes. One of the most common genetic changes occurs in the FLG gene, which plays a role in the structure of the outer layer of skin. Its job is to provide instructions to create profilaggrin, a protein that helps keep in water and repels foreign substances. When the skin's structure is compromised because of a lack of this specific protein, allergens, and other substances can infiltrate the layers of the skin easier, causing a reaction.

Children of Parents With Eczema

In most cases, eczema develops in infancy and can worsen as a child grows. Most children that develop eczema grow out of it as they get older. However, it can continue into adulthood. Research estimates that children born to parents with the condition have a 75% chance of developing it themselves. If both parents have eczema or allergies, a child is far more likely to develop the condition than if it was just one parent.

Environmental Causes

Environmental causes refer to a group of outside factors that influence the development of eczema. These factors also play a role in the severity of eczema. They include:

Treatment and Management for Genetic Eczema

Eczema cannot be cured, but it can be treated and managed effectively. A person can utilize four basic management techniques to keep eczema at bay, including:

• Knowing what triggers flare-ups
• Develop a bathing and moisturizing routine that helps keep the skin healthy and protected
• Use prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) eczema medications as directed
• Keep the area clean and ensure infection doesn’t occur by monitoring for pain, heat, or redness in the area

If eczema is severe, finding the proper treatment is vital to ensure the integrity of the skin barrier and rid yourself of unwanted symptoms. Some medications used to treat the disorder include:

• Antihistamines, such as Benadryl, Claritin, or Unisom
• Pain relievers such as Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve
• Topical hydrocortisone creams that contain a low dose of steroids to reduce inflammation in the skin
• Oral or topical JAK inhibitors that work to inhibit the action of the immune system by reducing overactivity
• Topical calcineurin inhibitors that prevent cells in the immune system from turning on and attacking the skin
• Topical PDE4 inhibitors that block a specific enzyme that works with the immune system to produce inflammatory cells
• Topical cortisone creams that work by reducing inflammation and itching on the skin
• Biologics that reduce levels of an inflammatory protein that is released and causes inflammation of the skin
• Immunosuppressants that hinder the action of the immune system to stop it from causing inflammation
• Phototherapy, which uses ultraviolet (UV) on the area to help prevent and clear up symptoms

Summary

Eczema is a condition that develops because of both genetic and environmental factors. When it comes to genetics, specific gene mutations take place, causing eczema to develop. These gene variations can develop in a person without a family history of eczema, but they can also be passed down from parent to child.

Environmental causes also influence what triggers an eczema flare-up and its development. They can include stress, where a person is born, socioeconomic status, and exposure to natural elements and organisms.

A Word from Verywell

Eczema can be difficult to cope with because of its irritating symptoms, and it’s impossible to determine if you will develop the condition based on genetic and environmental factors. Both play a role in its development. There’s nothing you can do about your genetics and if you’re predisposed to the condition, but if you have eczema, there is good news. Treating and managing the symptoms is easy and can be highly effective in most cases.