Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
This article presents intrinsic eczema pictures and discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for intrinsic eczema.
Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images
What Is Intrinsic Eczema?
Intrinsic eczema is a subtype of eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It may also be called nonallergic eczema or intrinsic atopic dermatitis. It affects about 20% of people with eczema. Most people with intrinsic eczema are female.
People with intrinsic eczema tend to be extremely sensitive to metal contact. They may not have signs and symptoms of the disease until later in life, and their skin barrier function stays intact.
Intrinsic eczema and extrinsic eczema may look similar from the outside of the body, but there is a key difference inside: People with extrinsic eczema typically have high levels of a specific antibody known asimmunoglobulin E(IgE). In people with intrinsic eczema, however, the levels of IgE are typically normal and there are no other atopic (allergic) conditions present.
Research has examined the immune system’s role in intrinsic eczema and has found that although there is no connection to higher levels of IgE, other immune activations may take place that could play a role. These activations happen to specific cells known asT cells, which are cells that activate other immune cells to fight off infections and other pathogens.
Intrinsic Eczema vs. Extrinsic Eczema
Intrinsic Eczema Causes
While researchers have yet to find a directcause of intrinsic eczema, there is evidence to support that several factors may come into play in regard to its development. These factors include:
Risk Factors for Intrinsic EczemaThe biggest risk factor associated with intrinsic eczema is family history.If a person in your family has it, you are more likely to get it. While extrinsic eczema may be associated with an allergy risk factor, intrinsic is not.
Risk Factors for Intrinsic Eczema
The biggest risk factor associated with intrinsic eczema is family history.If a person in your family has it, you are more likely to get it. While extrinsic eczema may be associated with an allergy risk factor, intrinsic is not.
Find Out What May Be Triggering Your Eczema
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023
Intrinsic Eczema Symptoms
Beyond skin symptoms, the eczema itch can also cause difficulty concentrating and sleeping. This can have a huge impact on quality of life.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf you experience any signs of a rash that is intensely itchy and interferes with your day-to-day life, you should see your healthcare provider. Healthcare providers will be able to provide you with treatment to help reduce the itch and clear up the rash.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you experience any signs of a rash that is intensely itchy and interferes with your day-to-day life, you should see your healthcare provider. Healthcare providers will be able to provide you with treatment to help reduce the itch and clear up the rash.
Intrinsic Eczema Diagnosis
Typically, a physical examination is all that’s needed todiagnose eczema. Your healthcare provider will collect your symptoms and examine the affected area to determine if it’s eczema or something else. They may also ask if anyone in your family has eczema.
To diagnose between intrinsic and extrinsic, your healthcare provider will order tests to check your IgE levels. This will help them determine the subtype of your eczema.
In some cases, a skinbiopsy, which removes a sample of tissue to be examined in a lab, may be performed to determine this, but a blood test is often used to determine levels of IgE.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Dr. Richard Ashtonwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Dr. Richard Ashtonwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Intrinsic Eczema Treatment
Intrinsic eczema, like all other types of eczema, is not curable. However, there areeczema treatment optionsthat can help lessen the itch and improve the skin’s overall health. Treatment options for eczema include medications and at-home remedies.
Medications
Medications used to treat eczema typically include a combination of therapies:
At-Home Remedies
Expert TipBefore purchasing skincare, haircare, laundry, or cleaning products, look for the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. These products do not contain triggering substances likefragrance, UV absorbers, orformaldehyde releasersand are gentler on your skin.
Expert Tip
Before purchasing skincare, haircare, laundry, or cleaning products, look for the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. These products do not contain triggering substances likefragrance, UV absorbers, orformaldehyde releasersand are gentler on your skin.
The 10 Best Lotions for Eczema of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Summary
Even though intrinsic and extrinsic have different IgE levels, they share the same symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. For people with both types, practicing good skin hygiene can help greatly when it comes to symptom relief and flare-up prevention.
Some treatment options don’t work for everyone. Finding the right type of treatment and skin care for eczema may take time. To help keep your eczema at bay, speak to your healthcare provider. Your provider can give you a diagnosis for your subtype and make sure you get the right treatment option for your specific case.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tokura Y, Hayano S.Subtypes of atopic dermatitis: from phenotype to endotype.Allergol Int. 2022;71(1):14-24. doi:10.1016/j.alit.2021.07.003Czarnowicki T, He H, Krueger JG, Guttman-Yassky E.Atopic dermatitis endotypes and implications for targeted therapeutics.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019;143(1):1-11. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2018.10.032Karimkhani C, Silverberg JI, Dellavalle RP.Defining intrinsic vs. extrinsic atopic dermatitis.Dermatol Online J.2015;21(6):13030/qt14p8p404.Fania L, Moretta G, Antonelli F, et al.Multiple roles for cytokines in atopic dermatitis: from pathogenic mediators to endotype-specific biomarkers to therapeutic targets.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(5):2684. doi:10.3390/ijms23052684National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis causes.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.Silvestre Salvador JF, Romero-Pérez D, Encabo-Durán B.Atopic dermatitis in adults: a diagnostic challenge.J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2017;27(2):78-88. doi:10.18176/jiaci.0138National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.National Eczema Association.National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance™.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tokura Y, Hayano S.Subtypes of atopic dermatitis: from phenotype to endotype.Allergol Int. 2022;71(1):14-24. doi:10.1016/j.alit.2021.07.003Czarnowicki T, He H, Krueger JG, Guttman-Yassky E.Atopic dermatitis endotypes and implications for targeted therapeutics.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019;143(1):1-11. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2018.10.032Karimkhani C, Silverberg JI, Dellavalle RP.Defining intrinsic vs. extrinsic atopic dermatitis.Dermatol Online J.2015;21(6):13030/qt14p8p404.Fania L, Moretta G, Antonelli F, et al.Multiple roles for cytokines in atopic dermatitis: from pathogenic mediators to endotype-specific biomarkers to therapeutic targets.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(5):2684. doi:10.3390/ijms23052684National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis causes.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.Silvestre Salvador JF, Romero-Pérez D, Encabo-Durán B.Atopic dermatitis in adults: a diagnostic challenge.J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2017;27(2):78-88. doi:10.18176/jiaci.0138National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.National Eczema Association.National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance™.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tokura Y, Hayano S.Subtypes of atopic dermatitis: from phenotype to endotype.Allergol Int. 2022;71(1):14-24. doi:10.1016/j.alit.2021.07.003Czarnowicki T, He H, Krueger JG, Guttman-Yassky E.Atopic dermatitis endotypes and implications for targeted therapeutics.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019;143(1):1-11. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2018.10.032Karimkhani C, Silverberg JI, Dellavalle RP.Defining intrinsic vs. extrinsic atopic dermatitis.Dermatol Online J.2015;21(6):13030/qt14p8p404.Fania L, Moretta G, Antonelli F, et al.Multiple roles for cytokines in atopic dermatitis: from pathogenic mediators to endotype-specific biomarkers to therapeutic targets.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(5):2684. doi:10.3390/ijms23052684National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis causes.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.Silvestre Salvador JF, Romero-Pérez D, Encabo-Durán B.Atopic dermatitis in adults: a diagnostic challenge.J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2017;27(2):78-88. doi:10.18176/jiaci.0138National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.National Eczema Association.National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance™.
Tokura Y, Hayano S.Subtypes of atopic dermatitis: from phenotype to endotype.Allergol Int. 2022;71(1):14-24. doi:10.1016/j.alit.2021.07.003
Czarnowicki T, He H, Krueger JG, Guttman-Yassky E.Atopic dermatitis endotypes and implications for targeted therapeutics.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019;143(1):1-11. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2018.10.032
Karimkhani C, Silverberg JI, Dellavalle RP.Defining intrinsic vs. extrinsic atopic dermatitis.Dermatol Online J.2015;21(6):13030/qt14p8p404.
Fania L, Moretta G, Antonelli F, et al.Multiple roles for cytokines in atopic dermatitis: from pathogenic mediators to endotype-specific biomarkers to therapeutic targets.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(5):2684. doi:10.3390/ijms23052684
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis.
American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis causes.
National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.
Silvestre Salvador JF, Romero-Pérez D, Encabo-Durán B.Atopic dermatitis in adults: a diagnostic challenge.J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2017;27(2):78-88. doi:10.18176/jiaci.0138
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
National Eczema Association.National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance™.
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