What is eczema
(atopic dermatitis)?

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FEATURED TOPICS

Who can get eczema? | Eczema symptoms | What is the eczema itch-scratch cycle? | Eczema causes and risk factors | Diagnosis of eczema | Managing your eczema symptoms| A path to clearer skin

Eczema is a chronic skin disease that causes dry, itchy skin from beneath the surface1

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is itchy! It can sometimes feel like a relentless cycle of scratching and discomfort. By preventing your skin’s ability to heal as it should, eczema contributes to redness or discoloration, extremely dry or scaly skin, and painful rashes.2

Atopic dermatitis affects almost 9.6 million children and adolescents and 16.5 million adults in the US each year2

Itch affects 90% of people living with atopic dermatitis3

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Following itch, sleep loss was rated one of the most troublesome symptoms of atopic dermatitis2,3

The symptoms of eczema can also go beyond the skin, impacting sleep, time off work or school, confidence, and ability to enjoy daily activities.1,2

Who can get eczema?

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) usually starts in childhood, often in the first 6 months of life, and it can be severe and long-lasting. However, adults can also develop the condition at any age. Eczema is more common in females than males and in black children compared to white children.1-3

A child with eczema may find that symptoms go away as they get older, but many people continue to have symptoms into adulthood.2

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) symptoms can vary widely from person to person and can occur on different parts of the body, although the areas that are mainly affected include the face, scalp, elbows, knees, neck, ankles, hands, and feet.1

Rashes can vary in color based on skin tone—they range from red in lighter skin to brown, purple, or gray in darker skin tones.1 

 

Eczema symptoms may include1-3:

  • Intense and/or persistent itch
  • Patches of dry, flaky skin
  • Redness or discoloration
  • Burning or painful rashes that may ooze, weep, or bleed when scratched
  • Small, fluid-filled bumps or crusting
  • Thickening and hardening of the skin

People with eczema usually experience periods when the disease worsens. These are called flares or flare-ups. Flare-ups can be followed by periods when the skin improves or clears up—these periods are called remission.1

More about itch

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) can cause your skin to become extremely itchy, and this itch can be persistent and lead to a relentless urge to scratch.2

If you’re living with eczema, you may experience painful skin and an inability to sleep due to itching at night.2

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What is the eczema itch-scratch cycle?

The effects of eczema (atopic dermatitis) begin below the skin. Unstoppable itch, stubborn rashes, and frustrating flare-ups. How come your symptoms of eczema are so tough to control? Because it starts inside the body and is driven by signals within the nerves.4

1. SIGNALS FOR ITCH

Sensory nerves in the skin trigger an intense itch that doesn’t stop even after scratching. It’s almost impossible to ignore.1,4

2. SCRATCHING AND INFLAMMATION5

Patches of skin become red, dry, and flaky. Uncomfortable rashes form. Inflammation triggers even more signals for itch.1-3

3. SKIN BREAKS DOWN

The damage caused to your skin barrier by scratching leaves your skin weak and at risk of infection. This then worsens the condition and can lead to more inflammation.1,4

Eczema causes and risk factors

The exact cause of eczema (atopic dermatitis) is unknown, but it seems to be a mix of genetics, immune system response,  and environmental triggers.3

Genetics 

If you have a family history of eczema, you have an increased chance of developing the condition too. Studies have also found that changes to certain genes could cause eczema, including a gene that helps your body maintain a healthy layer of skin.1,3

Immune system 

Your immune system, which normally helps to protect you against illness, can sometimes become confused or start working overtime. This can cause your skin to become inflamed and can lead to eczema.1,3

Environment 

Different environmental factors can also affect your skin. Triggers that can lead to eczema can include anything from dust mites and fragrances to food allergens or the weather.1,3

Other health conditions

If you have, or you have a family history of, other allergic disorders, such as hay fever or asthma, you also have an increased risk of developing eczema.1

Diagnosis of eczema

To diagnose eczema (atopic dermatitis), your doctor will ask about your symptoms, closely examine your skin, and review your medical history,  including whether relatives have eczema, asthma, or hay fever. In some cases, additional tests may help identify specific allergies or rule out other skin conditions. These tests could include a blood test or a skin biopsy.5

Managing your eczema 

There are a few things you can do to help manage your eczema (atopic dermatitis) symptoms, especially itch. These include2:

 
  • Know your triggers and how to avoid them
  • Daily skincare
  • Healthy diet
  • Managing stress
  • Medications

What types of treatments are used for PN?

Living with the intense itch of PN may leave you feeling overwhelmed or misunderstood at times. Treatment options may include therapies focused on changing behavior, topical medications, steroid injections, biologics, or alternatives like cryotherapy, immunosuppressants, or phototherapy.2

NEMLUVIO® is uniquely designed to directly block a key driver of itch so skin can heal and clear.8

A biologic is a medicine that is made from living organisms that specifically targets the cause of a certain disease, such as prurigo nodularis.5

Cryotherapy is the process of freezing nodules or patches of skin with a very cold substance to reduce the itch and flatten bumps.2

Immunosuppressants are a type of medicine that affect the immune system and can leave you at risk of infection. NEMLUVIO is not an immunosuppressant.6,7

Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, exposes the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light for a period of time to treat nodules or areas of skin that have difficulty healing.2

 

A clearer path to clearer skin

If your eczema (atopic dermatitis) feels out of control, it’s important to talk to your dermatologist about your options, including NEMLUVIO®.

Download the discussion guide to help start a conversation about your treatment goals.

DOWNLOAD THE DISCUSSION GUIDE  

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Get itch relief fast, with skin healing that lasts6

Discover how NEMLUVIO directly blocks signals driving itch, inflammation, and the rash of eczema (atopic dermatitis).

References: 1. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Atopic dermatitis. Accessed October 24, 2024. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/atopic-dermatitis 2. National Eczema Association. Atopic dermatitis. Accessed October 29, 2024. https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/atopic-dermatitis/ 3. Allergy Asthma Network. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) Statistics. Accessed 29 October 2024. https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/what-is-eczema/eczema-statistics 4. Mack MR, Kim BS. The itch–scratch cycle: A neuroimmune perspective. Trends Immunol. 2018;39(12):980-991. doi:10.1016/j.it.2018.10.001. 5. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take. Accessed October 24, 2024. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/atopic-dermatitis/diagnosis-treatment-and-steps-to-take 6. Galderma Laboratories, L.P.; data on file.

Diagram for 'What is the itch-scratch cycle?'

Important Safety Information

Indications: NEMLUVIO® (nemolizumab-ilto) is a prescription medicine used:

  • to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) in combination with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical) when the eczema is not well controlled by topical therapies alone. It is not known if NEMLUVIO is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 12 years of age.
  • to treat adults with prurigo nodularis. It is not known if NEMLUVIO is safe and effective in children with prurigo nodularis under 18 years of age.

Do not take NEMLUVIO if you are allergic to nemolizumab-ilto or to any ingredients in NEMLUVIO. Before taking NEMLUVIO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • are scheduled to receive any vaccination. You should not receive a live vaccine right before or during treatment with NEMLUVIO.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether NEMLUVIO will harm your unborn baby.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether NEMLUVIO passes into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

NEMLUVIO may cause serious side effects, including: allergic reactions (hypersensitivity). Stop using NEMLUVIO and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms:

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded
  • Fast pulse
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Joint pain
  • Fever
  • Skin rash (red or rough skin)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • General ill feeling
  • Cramps in your stomach area

The most common side effects of NEMLUVIO include:

  • Eczema: headache, joint pain, hives (itchy red rash or wheals), and muscle aches
  • Prurigo Nodularis: headache and skin rashes: atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema), eczema, and eczema nummular (scattered circular patches)

These are not all of the possible side effects of NEMLUVIO.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.