Living with moderate-to-severe eczema can feel like a relentless cycle of itching, scratching, and discomfort that impacts everything from sleep to self-confidence. For many, traditional creams and therapies provide only temporary or partial relief, leading to a frustrating search for something that truly works. If this sounds familiar, you may have heard about Rinvoq, a treatment that represents a significant advancement in dermatology. Rinvoq is a prescription oral medication designed for adults and adolescents (aged 12 and up) with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, who have not found success with other treatments.

This guide will break down what Rinvoq is, how it works, and who might be a candidate for this innovative therapy. We believe that understanding your options is the first step toward taking control of your skin health. We will explore the journey of eczema treatment, from foundational care to cutting-edge solutions, and explain how a targeted approach can make all the difference in achieving clear, comfortable skin.

Understanding Eczema and Its Impact

Eczema, clinically known as atopic dermatitis, is more than just dry skin. It is a chronic inflammatory condition that compromises the skin's barrier, leaving it vulnerable, reactive, and intensely itchy. This barrier dysfunction triggers an overactive immune response, leading to the hallmark symptoms of eczema: patches of red, inflamed skin, persistent dryness, and an itch so severe it can disrupt daily life.

While mild eczema can often be managed with moisturizers and over-the-counter creams, moderate-to-severe cases present a greater challenge. This level of eczema is characterized by widespread rashes, cracked or weeping skin, and an itch that persists day and night. The impact extends far beyond the physical; it can affect mental health, lead to poor sleep, and cause significant emotional distress. For those living with it, finding an effective treatment is not just about clearing the skin—it's about reclaiming their quality of life.

The Eczema Treatment Pathway: What Comes Before Rinvoq?

Dermatology providers typically approach eczema treatment with a step-by-step methodology, often called a treatment ladder. The goal is to find the simplest, safest, and most effective regimen for each individual. Understanding this pathway helps clarify why a treatment like Rinvoq is reserved for those who have not responded to other therapies.

First-Line Treatments: Building the Foundation

The foundation of all eczema care begins with repairing and protecting the skin barrier. This includes:

• Consistent Moisturization: Using thick, fragrance-free emollients multiple times a day is crucial for locking in hydration.
• Topical Corticosteroids: These are the most common prescription treatments for controlling inflammation and itch during flare-ups. They come in various strengths, from mild over-the-counter options like hydrocortisone to stronger prescription formulations like triamcinolone and clobetasol.
• Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors (TCIs): These non-steroidal prescription creams, such as tacrolimus, are excellent for sensitive areas like the face, neck, and skin folds. They reduce inflammation without the risk of skin thinning associated with long-term steroid use.

Second-Line Treatments: When Topicals Aren't Enough

For many with moderate-to-severe eczema, topicals alone cannot control the condition. When this happens, a provider may recommend systemic treatments that work throughout the body to calm the overactive immune response. These can include:

• Phototherapy (Light Therapy): Controlled exposure to specific wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light can help reduce inflammation and itch in the skin.
• Traditional Systemic Medications: Oral immunosuppressants like methotrexate or cyclosporine have historically been used to suppress the immune system and control severe eczema, though they require careful monitoring.
• Biologics: A newer class of injectable medications, such as Dupixent, that target specific molecules involved in the inflammatory process.

Navigating these options can be complex. If you feel your current treatment plan isn't delivering the results you need, it may be time to explore a more personalized strategy. At Honeydew, our providers specialize in creating and adjusting treatment plans to maximize results while minimizing side effects, ensuring you get the care you deserve.

Introducing Rinvoq: A Targeted Oral Therapy

When multiple other treatments have failed to provide adequate control, Rinvoq (upadacitinib) emerges as a powerful and innovative option. It is not a steroid, a biologic, or a traditional immunosuppressant. Instead, it belongs to a class of medications known as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.

How Does Rinvoq Work to Control Eczema?

To understand how Rinvoq works, it helps to understand the science behind the itch and inflammation of eczema. Your body's immune system uses signaling pathways to communicate. In atopic dermatitis, certain immune messengers called cytokines are overproduced, telling the body to create inflammation.

These cytokine signals are transmitted inside cells by enzymes called Janus kinases, or JAKs. Think of JAKs as switchboard operators that receive an external signal (from a cytokine) and relay it onward to the cell's nucleus, which then ramps up inflammation, leading to the symptoms of eczema.

Rinvoq works by selectively blocking these JAK enzymes. By inhibiting the switchboard operator, Rinvoq interrupts the inflammatory signals before they can take full effect. This targeted mechanism helps to rapidly reduce itch and inflammation from the inside out, offering a different approach compared to broader-acting medications.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Rinvoq?

Rinvoq is specifically indicated for adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis that is not well-controlled with other prescription therapies, including biologics, or when the use of those therapies is not advisable. This means a candidate has typically already tried and failed to achieve clear skin with a regimen of potent topical medications.

Determining if Rinvoq is the right next step is a decision that must be made with a licensed medical provider. The evaluation involves a thorough review of your:

• Treatment History: What medications have you tried, for how long, and what were the results?
• Medical History: A comprehensive look at your overall health is necessary, as certain pre-existing conditions may affect your eligibility.
• Treatment Goals: What does success look like for you? Are you seeking relief from itch, visible skin clearance, or both?

At Honeydew, our 100% online platform makes this process seamless. You can connect with one of our licensed dermatology providers via video to discuss your eczema journey and determine if an advanced treatment like Rinvoq is appropriate for you.

The Potential Benefits of Treating Eczema with Rinvoq

For patients who have struggled for years with persistent eczema, the results from a targeted therapy like Rinvoq can be profound. The benefits often address the most burdensome aspects of the condition.

Rapid and Significant Itch Relief

One of the most debilitating symptoms of eczema is the relentless itch. It interferes with concentration, disrupts sleep, and leads to a damaging scratch-itch cycle. Clinical studies have shown that Rinvoq can provide substantial itch relief, with many patients experiencing a noticeable reduction in just a few days. This rapid effect can be one of the most immediate and life-changing benefits.

Clearer Skin and Reduced Inflammation

Beyond soothing the itch, Rinvoq works to clear the visible signs of eczema. Patients may see a significant reduction in the redness, thickness, and extent of their rashes. The goal is to achieve clear or almost-clear skin, allowing individuals to feel more comfortable and confident.

The Convenience of an Oral Medication

Unlike biologic treatments that require injections, Rinvoq is a once-daily pill. This simplicity and convenience can be a major advantage for many people, making it easier to stay consistent with treatment without the need for needles or regular office visits for administration.

What to Expect When Starting Rinvoq

Starting any new systemic medication requires a partnership between you and your healthcare provider. The process is designed to ensure the treatment is both effective and safe for you.

Your Initial Consultation and Screening

Before you can start Rinvoq, your provider will conduct a comprehensive evaluation. This will include a detailed discussion of your health history and a series of blood tests to establish a baseline and screen for any underlying conditions. This is a critical step in personalized medicine, ensuring the treatment is tailored to your specific health profile.

Ongoing Progress Tracking and Monitoring

Once you begin treatment, regular follow-ups are essential. These appointments allow your provider to monitor your progress, assess the effectiveness of the medication, and watch for any potential side effects through follow-up lab work. At Honeydew, we make this easy with our online platform. You can track your skin's progress with photos, share updates with your dedicated care team, and connect for consultations without ever leaving your home.

Beyond Eczema: Other Conditions Treated by Rinvoq

While our focus here is on its dermatological use for eczema, it's worth noting that Rinvoq's mechanism of targeting inflammation makes it effective for other immune-mediated conditions. It is also FDA-approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and ulcerative colitis. Its application across these different diseases highlights the central role that JAK pathways play in a variety of inflammatory processes, including those that affect the skin and joints in conditions like psoriasis.

Personalized Eczema Care is a Click Away with Honeydew

At Honeydew, we understand the profound frustration that comes with searching for an effective eczema treatment. We know the feeling of trying cream after cream, only to have the itch and inflammation return. That is why our mission is to make expert, personalized dermatological care accessible to everyone, on their schedule, from the comfort of their home.

If you are not satisfied with your current treatment, we are here to help. Honeydew offers some of the most personalized treatments available, designed to maximize your results while minimizing side effects. Our licensed providers don't just write a prescription; they become your partner in skin health. They can manage, adjust, and recommend treatments entirely online to ensure you get the results you are looking for. This includes cutting-edge therapies like Rinvoq and other biologics that offer more comprehensive relief for chronic conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Our expertise isn't limited to eczema. For those struggling with persistent acne, we take a similarly personalized approach, offering proven treatments like Accutane and pioneering new protocols like low-dose Accutane to provide powerful results with fewer side effects. For unique needs, our providers can even prescribe custom-compounded medications that combine multiple active ingredients into a single, tailored formula.

The Honeydew process is simple: connect with a licensed provider over video, receive a personalized treatment plan sent to your home or local pharmacy, and use our online tools to track your progress and access ongoing support from your care team. Don't let eczema control your life any longer. Schedule a consultation today and let's build a plan that finally helps you find relief.