What is eczema on eyelids?

According to dermnetnz, Eczema on eyelids or eyelid dermatitis is an inflammatory reaction involving the eyelid skin caused by contact with trigger substance. Eczema on eyelids is a notorious skin disorder. It occurs specifically on eyelid and around the eye area. Eyelid skin is the sensitive skin of the body. In eyelid area, there is no oil grand. Hence, this portion of the body remains susceptible to infection. On the other hand, many irritants are responsible to attack in this sensitive part.

Eczema on eyelids is another name of eyelid dermatitis. Dermatitis occurs many parts of the body, such as ankle, wrist, neck, inner elbow joint or knee. However, it is characterized by redness, swelling, pain, irritation, itching at the affected area. Eyelid dermatitis mainly happens in dry skin. Dry skin is associated with itching and many inflammatory diseases. Eyelid eczema is one of such diseases. This eczema around eyes causing wrinkles.

Allergy and contact dermatitis are closely related to eczema on eyelids. According to medicalnewstoday, allergy means one type of hypersensitive responses of the immune system to substances that comes in contact to the body or enter to the body. Trigger, substances which cause allergy, are called allergens. The examples are – pollen, animal dander, bee venom, particular foods & clothes. When eyelid goes contact with this substance, then a dermatitis occurs which “contact dermatitis”. There are two types of contact dermatitis – Allergic and irritant. If eczema remains untreated it can turn into dark circles under eye due inflammatory pigmentation.

Causes of Eczema on Eyelid

As eyelid is very thin and sensitive skin of the body, it is highly susceptible to eczema. However, there are many other reasons might also be responsible for it. Actually, these causes can be identified by seeing symptoms eczema. It mainly occurs when skin goes to contact of allergic and irritant substances.

Causes of eyelid eczema can be elaborated in two categories:

Atopic contact eczema on eyelid

This occurs due to body’s own immune system. Sometimes this system forms antibody (immunoglobulin E (IgE). when it comes contact to substance.  To protect body from possible threat, body produce chemical reaction against this substance. This reaction is manifested by skin rash, irritation, itching and many other skin anomalies.

Substances which creates atopic contact eczema on eyelid are: Pollen, plastic rubber, jewellery, latex, perfumes, preservative rich material such as eye drops etc.

Irritant contact eczema on eyelid

When skin around eyes contact with irritating materials then this eczema appears. This substance includes makeup materials, cream materials etc. Moreover, airborne contaminants, industry solvent,  chlorine, wooden particles are such irritants which forms eczema on eyelids.

Different irritants and allergic sources

Main factors responsible for eczema on eyelid are:

1. Chlorine on swimming pool

Maximum swimming pool authority use chlorine to purify water. This chlorine becomes irritant if you keep contact for a long time. So, don’t stay long time at swimming pool and take necessary safety measures to save your eyes.

On the other hand, sometimes people swim in salty water of ocean. In that case salty water drains out water from skin and around eyes and leaves skin dry skin which is susceptible to eczema on eyelids.

2. Eye drops

Eye drops are responsible for eye irritation and eye rash. Many pharmaceuticals company use preservatives to extend shelf life of eye drops. Preservatives are irritating substance. It causes pain and discomfort of eyes, as eyes are directly linked with its lid, so eyelid eczema appears.

3. Humid weather

Humid weather is one of eczema on eyelid sources. The characteristic of this weather is to drain out moisture from eye skin. Hence, dry skin creates skin itchy, patchy, scaling and red.

4. Eyeglasses

People use eyeglass who are suffering from eyesight problems. However, eye spectacles can create eczema. Person who has sensitive skin are very prone to get allergy from it. Moreover, using other glasses can also cause eye irritation.

5. Using humectants

Humectants or hydrophobic substances dry out skin and can create dermatitis on eyelid. It create dermal water depletion. As for example, propylene glycol is a humectants.

Symptoms of Eczema on Eyelid

Symptoms are seen when the dermatitis occurred in the eyelid. Two type’s symptoms are here- Chronic & Occasional. Here are common symptoms condition of eyelid eczema on skin and around of the skin.

• Burning
• Irritation
• Rash
• Swelling
• Itching
• Stinging
• Scaly skin
• Thick eyelid
• Creased skin
• Flaky skin

How To Diagnosis

You can diagnose eczema by yourself. But how? It is not a difficult task. Just be aware about your feeling and you can identify the reason of symptoms. If you realize eyeliner / mascara is the product which creates your eczema, than don’t use them. Sometimes particular type’s foods are responsible for it. If you diagnose this by you own than just leave these foods such as: egg plants, prawn, etc. Once you identify allergic foods than it will be easier for you to avoid it.

There are many other symptoms which are not identifiable. In that case, go to visit a dermatologist or an allergist and share your problem. They may ask your disease history like asthma, atopic dermatitis, hay fever or other skin condition.

Doctor will give you the following allergy tests: You will need to take help of needle and lancets to conduct these tests.

Patch test: Patch test means applying a hypoallergenic tape filled with tiny amount of allergen on the skin. 25 to 30 potential allergens are used here. It is placed on the back or arm of body. It is applied for 2 days. Doctor will examine it to find out possible allergens.

Intra-dermal allergy test: In this test, tiny needles are injected into the skin surface filled with different allergens. The result is found within 30 minutes. Allergic reaction such as redness, itching are identified, if there.

Skin prick or scratch test: This test is conducted inside the skin surface. Lance is used to cut skin and insert allergen extracts. Histamine is also inserted to get accurate allergy result.

Radioallergosorbent test: This is a blood test where doctor finds the presence of immunoglobulin E (igE), the antibody against allergic substance.

Best Eyelid Eczema Treatment Yet

Treatment Type 1: General treatment

Try to avoid irritant substances which creates your allergy. In order to perform it you need to find out those substances. It may be foods, skin care products, pollen or animal dander.

Be more cautious to avoid aggravated eczema on eyelids. Use goggles if you work in a industry where dust and contamination present. It will help you to avoid irritation.

Avoid unnecessary contact eyelid area during treatment. Stop rubbing, scratching, and using makeup, cleanser or any other skin care product. Hypoallergenic cosmetics would not bring good result at this time of treatment.

Over-the-counter medicine such as topical corticosteroid may be given to eliminate eczema. But, before use you must check whether it contains preservatives or not. Preservatives might be allergic and can deteriorate the allergic condition. Formaldehyde, lanolin, additional fragrance, parabens are preservatives. Check ingredient list printed on the leaflet of the drug.

Treatment Type 2: Medication

Corticosteroid

Corticosteroid or only “steroid” is highly used medication for the treatment of eczema. It has been used for more than 50 years. It quickly relief from itching, inflammation and redness. However, to use in eyelid area mild corticosteroid are used. Small amounts of cream is used to avoid glaucoma or any other damage of eye. Hydrocortisone is a mild steroid drug and first line steroid recommended by physicians.

Fluorometholone ophthalmic Ointment

It is a eye drop from group of steroid drugs. It reduces eye itching, redness, swelling. This ointment is recommended for eczema on eyelid.

Probiotics, Pimecrolimus, Tacrolimus

A strain of probiotic L. rhamnosus GG can improve eczema (ref. Kalliomäki, 2001). Sulfur supplements are also used to treat eczema.

Pimecrolimus and tacrolimus are topical immunomodulators. Though, they are not steroid but works like steroid drugs. It inhibits attack of eczema on eyelids.

Treatment Type 3: Eczema on eyelid natural treatment

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera provides skin cleansing and antiseptic property which helps to diminish eczema symptoms. It is also the safest option as eyelid eczema home remedies for sensitive skin.

Grind 200 mg of aloe vera leaves —> Keep it in a container and place in the refrigerator for 12 days —> Use temperature below 6 degree —> Take emulsion, castor oil 150 gm and a quarter red wine —> Mix thoroughly —> Gauze the material and collect 1 cm thick layer —> Clear eyelid before use —> Apply on eyelid area for 15-20 minutes.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich with natural antioxidant and an antioxidant has beneficiary effect on skin. It helps to make eyelid skin smooth. On the other hand, its antibacterial is it a unique choice for eyelid dermatitis.

Clean your face with lukewarm water—>  then apply this oil on affected area—> leave it for sometime—> wipe out with warm towel

Uncooked Oatmeal

Dirty skin clog the pores of skin and leads to eczema on eyelid. To avoid clogging raw oatmeal is useful. It clears skin dust and dead skin cell effectively. It is another eczema on eyelids and proper treatment.

Take some oatmeal in a bowl —> swab a cotton ball on it—> clean your face with warm towel—> use cotton ball around the eyes—> do it twice daily.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is used as eczema around eyes natural remedy. It keeps skin free from microorganism. Moreover, it eliminates toxin from skin and treat skin from inflammatory eyelid eczema.

Take a jug —> add a quarter of apple cider vinegar and 3 cups of water—> mix then uniformly—> use a cotton ball to apply on eyelid affected area—> make sure skin is clean every time before use.

Celandine Juice Infusion

This is a alkaloid plant rich with medicinal effect to treat eczema on eyelids.

Mix clandine juice herbs with quarter boiling water—> Mix with vodka in ratio 1:1 —-> leave it in a dark place for 2 days—> by using cotton ball apply it on eyelid—> use 2 times daily

Treatment Type 4: Skin Care Products Treatment

Dove is a non-soap product having excellent cleansing property.  It keeps skin clean and removes dirty materials.

Sudocream is a good cream for fighting against eyelid on eczema. Its best use time is at night. You can use it several nights. Apply a thin layer of sudocream on skin. Use again when it dries.

Eyelid Dermatitis Vaseline For Eczema On Eyelid

Vaseline jelly can lock moisture on skin and prevents flaky, dry eyelid skin. Dry skin causes eczema on eyelids. It also protects skin from irritants and cold weather associated germs. Be careful during using in eyelid as this is a delicate area. Be alert so that it vaseline cannot penetrate into eyes.

Final Thought

There many treatment and medication options are given here about eczema on eyelids. But It is advisable to consult a doctor before taking any medication.