Although some children outgrow eczema, it’s a chronic condition for many people that can be difficult to treat. Sometimes, you might have to try several different treatments before finding one that is effective for your eczema symptoms.

Eczema is often treated with topical (applied to the skin) medications. In cases where eczema is severe or widespread, oral or injected medications may be needed. Some people feel better when they use phototherapy or make lifestyle changes. The treatment you choose will also depend on the type of eczema you’re diagnosed with. Work together with your dermatologist to find the best treatment for your specific case of eczema.

1. Topical Corticosteroids

The effects of topical treatments are mainly limited to the skin. Topical treatments for eczema can come in a variety of forms, including:

• Ointments
• Creams
• Sprays
• Foams
• Soaps
• Shampoos
• Solutions
• Lotions

Different forms of topical medication are better for different parts of the body or different types of eczema. For instance, medicated shampoos work well for the scalp.

Corticosteroids are among the most common treatments for eczema. They may also just be called “steroids.” Corticosteroids are synthetic hormones that block inflammatory responses in the body. Some of these medications are available over the counter, but stronger steroids such as mometasone, betamethasone, triamcinolone, and clobetasol propionate are available only by prescription.

Stronger corticosteroids should be used for limited periods of time to avoid side effects. These may include stretch marks, changes in the color of your skin, allergic reactions, and thinning skin.

Although rare, using strong topical corticosteroids over much of your body or for a long time can cause systemic problems. These include Cushing’s syndrome, which can cause weight gain, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar.

2. Topical Immunosuppressants

Other prescription topical medications for eczema include topical immunosuppressants, such as calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) and the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor crisaborole (Eucrisa). These work to change the way your body’s immune system works. Since they are topical, these effects are not systemic (bodywide) so they don’t cause as many side effects. Some may cause skin discoloration, sensitivity to sunlight, or other skin reactions, especially when treatment first begins.

3. Antibiotics

Topical antibiotics (like erythromycin) may be prescribed in cases where eczema and scratching have led to a skin infection. Some of these are available over the counter, but they may not be strong enough for severe infections. If you think your skin is infected, you should always see your dermatology team to get medical advice. In cases where the infection is severe or when the topical medications don’t work, oral antibiotics (such as flucloxacillin) may be given.

4. Oral Corticosteroids

Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may be given for short periods of time during flare-ups of eczema. These work to lower inflammation on a systemic level. Long-term use of systemic steroids has many side effects. Side effects such as Cushing’s syndrome are more likely to develop when taking steroids orally, especially over longer periods of time.

5. Oral JAK Inhibitors

Cytokines are chemicals that trigger inflammation in your body. The pathway that tells your body to release more cytokines is called the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. When your JAK-STAT pathway is blocked, your body may not release as many cytokines. This means less inflammation and related eczema symptoms.

There are a couple of oral medications that can block this pathway. Abrocitinib (Cibinqo) and upadacitinib (Rinvoq) are approved for anyone older than 12 who can’t keep their eczema under control another way. JAK inhibitors may increase your risk for certain infections, though these are usually minor.

6. Injectable Immunosuppressants

Because eczema involves problems with the immune system, drugs that block certain parts of that system may be effective in treating eczema symptoms. Some of these medications are administered by injection.

Dupilumab (Dupixent) is an immune system drug prescribed for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema. Dupixent is the first biologic drug approved for eczema. It works by blocking chemical messengers involved in autoimmune attacks. It’s administered by injection, usually every other week. In rare cases, Dupixent can cause eye problems. It's currently approved for people with eczema ages 6 and up.

Another immune system drug used to treat eczema is called tralokinumab-lrdm (Adbry). It's only approved for use in adults 18 and older who have moderate to severe eczema that can’t be managed with topical therapies. It also works to block some of the chemical messages the immune system sends. This helps prevent eczema symptoms. A few people will experience side effects like respiratory infections and pink eye when taking tralokinumab-lrdm.

In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved lebrikizumab (Ebglyss), an interleukin (IL)-13 antagonist, for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and children 12 and up. It works by blocking the IL-13 pathway, which contributes to the inflammation seen in eczema. The drug is administered via subcutaneous injection and is typically used when topical treatments are not effective. Common side effects include conjunctivitis and injection site reactions.

7. Other Systemic Medications

These oral or injected medications are prescribed in cases of severe or widespread eczema or when topical drugs fail to control eczema. Some of the drugs prescribed for eczema include azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and methotrexate. These drugs affect the immune system but aren’t always classified with other immunosuppressant drugs. Some of them are injected and some are administered orally.

Unlike topical medications, the effects of these eczema medications are not limited to the skin. They have effects — and can cause side effects — throughout the body.

8. Phototherapy

Some people whose eczema does not respond to medication may benefit from phototherapy treatment, which uses specific types of light. Types of phototherapy range from natural sunlight to medically supervised treatments. These use specialized ultraviolet B light or ultraviolet A (UVA) light combined with psoralen for PUVA therapy. Some of these therapies may increase the risk of skin cancer.

9. Clinical Trials

Some people with eczema participate in clinical trials to access new treatments for eczema. The National Eczema Association keeps a list that you can talk about with your doctor. Many of the trials currently available focus on new immunosuppressant drugs or combinations of treatments. These may be more effective than any one treatment alone.

Treating Eczema Symptoms

Some medications and lifestyle changes can help eczema symptoms. They may not treat eczema directly but are sometimes helpful as part of a comprehensive eczema treatment plan. Some of these medications, lifestyle changes, and other therapies include:

• Antihistamines to help itching
• Moisturizers to help preserve the skin barrier
• Wet wrap therapy, under the supervision of a health care professional
• Bathing practices like bleach baths or oatmeal baths
• Complementary and alternative therapies like yoga, meditation, and massage
• Learning and avoiding eczema triggers

Is There a Cure for Eczema?

Some children eventually outgrow their eczema, but there currently is no cure. The treatment options here can help control symptoms, but they won’t make eczema go away entirely.

This article is comprehensive of the main types of treatment used for eczema. However, it’s not exhaustive. There may be other eczema treatments not mentioned here.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyEczemaTeam, the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones, more than 53,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.

What treatments have you tried for eczema? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.