Several types of dermatitis can produce eczema around the eyes and on the eyelids. This causes discoloration, itching, and swelling.

Atopic, contact and seborrheic dermatitis can all cause eczema in the eye area.

This can be a result of exposure to allergens or irritants. Additionally, some people have a genetic hypersensitivity to the environment, making them more likely to react to irritants.

Doctors recommend treating this with a simple skin care routine that avoids scented products. They may also prescribe medicated creams, like low concentration hydrocortisone or topical calcineurin inhibitors.

Read more to learn about the types of dermatitis causing eczema around the eyes, their causes and triggers, and treatment options.

About 25–40% of people with atopic dermatitis have severe inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin membrane on the inside of the eyelid.

In contact dermatitis, the eyelids are red or discolored, scaly, and possibly swollen. Seborrheic dermatitis of the eye usually affects only the eyelid margins.

The following are examples of eczema on the eyelids:

When dermatitis and/or eczema occurs in the eye area, it can cause various symptoms. These include:

  • itchiness
  • changes to skin color
  • swelling
  • oozing
  • skin dryness

The terms eczema and dermatitis are often used interchangeably to describe dry, itchy skin. Technically, eczema refers to atopic dermatitis, a common form of dermatitis.

The inflammation associated with dermatitis can affect any area of the skin, including the eyelids and skin surrounding the eyes.

It occurs more often in the eye area in individuals who already have it in other parts of the body. Some of the common types of dermatitis affecting the eye area include atopic, contact, and seborrheic.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is the main type of eczema. Although it is primarily a skin condition, asthma, and hay fever may also occur.

It is more common in adults than children and can be caused by genetics, environmental factors, or both.

According to one research paper, the prevalence of eye complications in people with atopic dermatitis on or around the eyes ranges from 25–50%.

Specifically, atopic dermatitis may increase a person’s risk of certain eye diseases. The eye rubbing associated with dry, itchy skin around the eyes can cause keratoconus, a corneal thinning disorder.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis causes the skin to become inflamed and irritated. This is usually in response to something that triggers an allergy. It is more common in people with sensitive skin.

Unlike atopic dermatitis, it is not accompanied by other allergic reactions and only affects the skin.

It makes the eyelids red or discolored and scaly and can cause them to sting and burn. The condition ranges from mild to severe.

When contact dermatitis occurs on or around the eyes, it may affect the upper lid, lower lid, or both. If the condition persists, it can cause the eyelids to thicken.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis

Seborrhoeic dermatitis affects the face, ears, eyebrows, eyes, and scalp. It is often swollen and greasy with a white or yellowish crust.

When it affects the eye area, it often appears only on the margins of the eyelids, which are the edges of the eyes.

This form of dermatitis is more common in adults and affects 3–10% of the population. Although serious complications are rare, it does increase a person’s risk of developing a bacterial infection on the eyelids.

The different forms of dermatitis have different causes and triggers:

  • Atopic dermatitis: This is caused by a genetic hypersensitivity to the environment.
  • Contact dermatitis: This is caused by exposure to allergens or irritants. It may be a result of direct, indirect, or airborne contact.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis: Researchers believe seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory reaction to excess Malassezia yeast. This yeast normally lives on the skin’s surface. However, when there is too much of it, the immune system overreacts, resulting in skin problems.

When diagnosing eczema around the eyes, doctors examine a person’s skin. They will also ask about a person’s symptoms and medical history.

If they suspect a person has atopic dermatitis, they may decide to do a skin biopsy. This involves removing a small skin sample and sending it to a lab for testing. A doctor might also conduct a skin culture to see if the issue is bacterial or fungal.

A doctor suspecting contact dermatitis will conduct skin tests to determine if a person has allergies. They may also ask people about their occupations and hobbies to identify triggers.

Treatment will vary depending on the type of dermatitis a person has. For instance, a person with contact dermatitis may be told to identify and remove triggers from their daily routine.

According to the National Eczema Society, treatment usually involves skin care practices, mild topical steroid medications, and topical calcineurin inhibitors.

Skin care

Experts recommend a simple skin care routine free of fragrances and irritants.

This includes:

  • washing the skin using a leave-on emollient and applying it as a moisturizer
  • avoiding washing the face with soap
  • avoiding greasy moisturizers on the face
  • avoiding the use of scented face creams
  • removing eye makeup with an emollient on a damp cotton pad

Emollients and mild topical steroids

A person applies topical creams and ointments directly to the skin.

Doctors generally advise using low concentration steroid ointments on the eyes. This is because the eyelid skin is very thin and delicate.

Some topical treatments are available over the counter, but others require a prescription.

A doctor may prescribe a moderate-potency steroid for a severe eczema flare-up. However, they would only prescribe this for a short period of time, such as 5 days.

Topical calcineurin inhibitors

Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) are not a steroid, but they do help treat eyelid eczema. They require a prescription. Commonly prescribed TCIs include tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel).

Because they are not a steroid, they do not thin the eyelid skin. However, they do increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, so people should take precautions when using them.

To help prevent flare-ups of eyelid dermatitis, it is important that a person keep known triggers or allergens away from the eyes.

This means avoiding touching or rubbing the eyes after coming in contact with a potential trigger. Some common triggers of primarily contact dermatitis include:

  • topical steroid medications
  • topical antibiotics
  • eye drops and various preservatives that may be found in them
  • metals such as nickel, cobalt, gold, and chrome
  • Shellac or acrylic nail products
  • fragranced skin products
  • surfactants, which can be found in many baby shampoos, for example

A person who isn’t already aware that they have a sensitivity to a substance should apply a small amount on a test area before proceeding. A person who experiences a reaction to a medication should contact their doctor.

Other triggers for other types of dermatitis specifically include dust or dust mites, stress, and dry, cold air. Avoiding these things when possible and making sure to see a doctor for treatment can help avoid breakouts.

Various complications may accompany dermatitis around the eyes. They include:

Pinkeye

Also called conjunctivitis, this is the inflammation of the thin tissue covering the white parts of the eyes.

Symptoms include:

  • watery, itchy eye
  • red or pink color of the eye
  • sensitivity of the eyes to light
  • sticky, wet, or dry, crusty eye

Inflamed cornea

Keratitis is the medical term for an inflamed cornea.

Symptoms include:

  • pain or discomfort
  • sensitivity to light
  • gritty feeling
  • sensation of having something in the eye
  • watery eye

Changes in cornea shape

Keratoconus is the term for changes in the shape of the cornea, the transparent covering of the iris and pupil. The cornea is normally round, but rubbing the eye can cause the cornea to bulge and become cone-shaped.

Symptoms and signs include:

  • nearsightedness
  • sensitivity to light, particularly during nighttime driving
  • blurry vision
  • the need for frequent changes in eyeglasses or contact lens prescription

Early diagnosis and treatment of keratoconus can minimize the potential vision loss.

Cataracts

Cataracts make the eye’s lens progressively more opaque, resulting in blurred vision. In people with atopic dermatitis, cataracts usually occur in both eyes at the same time.

Factors like eye rubbing and the severity of any lesions determine how quickly cataracts will develop.

Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment is a serious complication of dermatitis around the eyes.

The retina is a thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye. When it detaches, it pulls away from the blood vessels that support it.

This can lead to permanent vision loss.

What other conditions look like eye eczema?

There are a few other conditions affecting the eyes that may look similar to eyelid eczema. These include:

  • blepharitis
  • allergic conjunctivitis
  • psoriasis
  • rosacea
  • lichen planus
  • dermatomyositis

For this reason, it’s important to get the rash evaluated by a doctor for a correct diagnosis.

Does eye eczema ever go away?

Eczema is a lifelong condition, so it does not have a cure. However, it is possible to treat the symptoms.

Is eye eczema caused by stress?

Stress is a known trigger of eczema anywhere on the body. Managing stress and anxiety levels can help reduce flare-ups.

Several types of dermatitis may cause eczema in the eye area. Common types include focal, contact, and seborrheic dermatitis.

Treatment may include the application of low concentrations of hydrocortisone ointment, which may be available over the counter or require a prescription. Doctors may also prescribe topical calcineurin inhibitors.

Getting an early diagnosis and treatment helps protect the eyes and prevents vision loss.

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