Chronic skin conditions like eczema can be incredibly painful and difficult to deal with. Whether it’s the severe itching spell, red skin patches, or scaly skin, it can turn into a big hurdle in one’s daily life.
However, despite its underlying triggers, one of the most common questions we get asked is if eczema is an autoimmune disease. And even though eczema shares similar qualities to it, it is not an autoimmune condition. To learn more about this skin disease and what sets it off, keep reading this blog.
What is Eczema?
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin disorder that causes dry, inflamed, and itchy skin. It can arise at any age, but it usually starts during your childhood and lasts throughout your lifetime. However, one important thing to keep in mind is that eczema is not contagious, nor is it always visible. In some cases, eczema can go unnoticed as it can run rampant under your skin without showing any signs of inflammation. This is because eczema’s symptoms come to light during a flare-up, leaving your skin littered with red patches and small, fluid-filled bumps that can burst and ooze pus.
Is Eczema An Autoimmune Disease?
Autoimmune diseases develop as a result of the immune system mistakenly attacking the body’s healthy cells, thinking that they are causing harm to the body. However, in the case of eczema, despite the immune system being involved, it does not immediately start to attack you.
That is to say, unlike other autoimmune conditions, where the immune system targets your organs and tissues, eczema only affects your skin’s barrier. Since the skin acts as a protective shield, keeping you safe from external threats, eczema works against that and leaves you the barrier in a compromised position.
Causes of Eczema
Due to its chronic abilities, identifying the exact cause of eczema is hard. There are numerous factors that can give way to this skin condition, such as the ones mentioned below.
- Genetics
Believe it or not, your genes play a significant role in eczema development. If someone in your family has a history of eczema or any other such skin disease, you are likely to adopt it, too. - Poor Immune System
While eczema isn’t exactly an autoimmune disease, your immune system does affect it to a certain degree. Thus, if you naturally have a poor immune system, it is bound to make things worse and lead to skin inflammation. - Environmental and Emotional Triggers
The biggest reasons behind eczema flare-ups are environmental and emotional triggers. For instance, harsh irritants like certain soaps, pollen, pet dander, and even stress, among other allergens, can aggravate the skin and worsen the effects of eczema.
Long Story Short
In short, while eczema is not an autoimmune disease, it does depend on your immune system a little, along with other environmental, genetic, and emotional triggers. The best way to reduce its symptoms is by consulting a professional skin therapist who can guide you through the inflammation.
Dr. Sharaf Diwan has years of experience and exposure to different skin infections and conditions. When it comes to dealing with the hard-to-treat parts, there is nothing he cannot do. With expert techniques and the latest medical advancements, he has the answer to all your skin troubles. To schedule an appointment, call Sharaf Diwan, MD, at (832) 604-0005.
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