When your skin doesn’t hold moisture well, cracks easily, or flares up in patches, it might not just be dryness—it could be a filaggrin mutation, a genetic change that weakens the skin’s protective barrier. Also known as a FLG gene mutation, this isn’t rare—it’s found in up to 10% of people of European descent and is one of the strongest known links to chronic eczema.
This mutation means your body doesn’t make enough filaggrin, a protein that helps flatten skin cells and lock in moisture. Without it, your skin becomes porous, letting irritants and allergens in while water escapes. That’s why people with this mutation often have dry, itchy skin from childhood, and why eczema keeps coming back even with creams. It’s not just about hydration—it’s a broken barrier. And because the skin can’t block outside triggers, these people are more likely to develop food allergies, asthma, or hay fever. Studies show kids with filaggrin mutations are three times more likely to develop peanut allergies by age three.
The good news? You don’t need genetic testing to manage it. Dermatologists already treat the symptoms the same way: thick emollients applied daily, gentle cleansers, and avoiding harsh soaps. The filaggrin mutation doesn’t change the treatment—it just explains why it’s so important. If your eczema doesn’t improve with standard care, this could be the hidden reason. And if you’ve had eczema since infancy, especially with dry hands or a family history, the odds are higher you carry it. Research is now looking at ways to replace or boost filaggrin with topical treatments, but for now, repairing the barrier with ceramides and fatty acids is your best defense. What you’ll find below are real, practical guides on how to protect your skin, what triggers to avoid, and how to stop the cycle of flares before they start.
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