People with eczema generally experience symptoms like very dry and itchy skin; red, brown, or gray skin patches; raised, weeping bumps; and thick, cracked, or scaly skin. For example, they may suggest antihistamines to help with itching or antibiotics for associated infections. The edges of your lids turn red or dark in color and become swollen and scaly. Your environment can cause dry eyelids. See additional information. The AAD notes that it can often affect the eyes in adults. 1. This is a skin condition that can lead to dry itchy rash when your skin becomes into direct in contact with the harsh or harmful substance. Trying to push through attacks can lead to a vicious cycle of more headachesand more sick days. Patches of itchy, dry skin on face and eyelid, eyelid has now also swollen. Aging causes the skin to wrinkle. A person can treat some causes of dry skin around the eyes at home. Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a common skin condition that typically starts during childhood. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. (n.d.). If the edges of the eyelid are flaky, for example due to blepharitis, a person may notice that their eyes feel dry or sandy. It can happen when a skin condition causes irritation, when you develop an infection or when oil glands become clogged. Try just simple vaseline or aquaphor. If eczema symptoms are severe enough, your healthcare provider may prescribe a topical immune suppressant such as: These medicines are safe to use on delicate skin like the eyelids. A person may experience itchy, inflamed, or scaly skin on the eyelid. A person may experience a rash around their eyes for many reasons. Until your stye goes away on its own, try to: Leave the stye alone. When you have this condition, your eyelids will appear greasy. This happens when a person comes into contact with an irritant, often a chemical substance. Regular facial cleansing with gentle exfolitation followed by eucerin sensitive location. So if youre not sure whats causing your dry eyelids or you have other symptoms along with the dryness, check in with your doctor or dermatologist. Mowad CM, et al. 1. Over time, these things can cause dryness, sagging, roughness, and discoloration of the eyelids. These rashes can really happen anywhere on your skin, but eyelid skin is thinner than the skin on other parts of your body and face. It is thought to be the result of both environmental and hereditary factors. Many things that we touch get transferred to our eyelid skin, like the nickel from handling money or touching doorknobs, the acrylates or formaldehyde in our nail polish.. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Dry skin on eyelids may be the result of contact dermatitis. In addition, you can develop a dry skin on your eyelids due to washing your body with heavily chlorinated water. Causes of Dry Patches on Your Face and How to Treat Them, Skin Discoloration: Causes and Treatments, What Causes Goopy Eyes and How to Treat Them, Scab in the Ear: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment, Feet Eczema: Treatment, Triggers, and Lifestyle Changes, Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist's perspective, Clinical efficacy of combined topical 0.05% cyclosporine A and 0.1% sodium hyaluronate in the dry eyes with meibomian gland dysfunction, Ptosis induced by topical steroid eye drops: two cases reports, Guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis (eczema) for pharmacists, The role and diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with atopic dermatitis, Allergic contact dermatitis: patient management and education, Recent advances in understanding and managing rosacea, Treatment of ocular rosacea: comparative study of topical cyclosporine and oral doxycycline, Human permanent ectoparasites: recent advances on biology and clinical significance of, Human demodex mite: the versatile mite of dermatological importance, Treatment of Demodex-associated inflammatory skin conditions: a systematic review, Reddish-brown patches, especially on the eyelids, Antibiotic ointments to help fight infection, Moisturizers, particularly those with fragrance, Eyelash curlers, due to contact with metal and/or latex. People typically have dry skin all over the body, not only on the the eyelids. You can care for your flaky eyelids with gentle products designed for use on the eyes and by limiting your exposure to the sun. Steroid eye drops or ointments may reduce inflammation. Climatic or weather condition that is associated with dryness and hotness is a risk factor that can encourage your skin to lose water and become scaly. I was able to calm it down when the weather got warmer, but still, every December or January, like clockwork, my eyelids erode into flakes right around the time were seeing flakes for the first time of the year. Blepharitis, pronounced bleh-fur- RY -tis, means inflammation of the eyelid. The skin around the eyes may also become thickened and darker. J Am Acad Dermatol. your eyelids have been dry for an extended time, youre concerned it might be related to a larger health issue, you have other accompanying symptoms that concern you. Dry skin: Diagnosis and treatment. How to Make a Migraine Game Plan If You Have a Demanding Job. Clean your eyelids with safe eyelid cleansers. Allergic contact dermatitis: Patient diagnosis and evaluation. It can develop on the eyelids and around the eyes, causing the skin to become itchy and swollen. If it doesn't go away then you should definitely have it checked. Dry, itchy eyelids can be caused by a variety of underlying problems. The exposure of your skin to harmful UV rays from the sun can lead to various skin problems such as dryness, burnt blisters, dark spots, freckles, Melasma, and wrinkles. In general, lubricate from the inside w/olive oil, coconut oil, fish May represent several things from seborheic dermatitis to rosacea to skin sensitivity or contact dermatitis due makeup. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? This article will look at some of the common reasons for dry skin around the eyes, their associated symptoms, and treatment options. Treat your eyelids gently with lotions and products intended solely for eyelid skin. You can treat your dry eyelids with medications or relieve the dryness with home remedies. In addition, a person should: Sometimes, doctors will recommend a specialized anti-fungal cream. Adults, you can also get ringworms of the face. You might want to combat bad breath right awaybut tweaking your routine could be worth it. Here, learn about these issues and when to contact a. The main way to treat blepharitis is to practice good hygiene and remove crusts from the eye. The mild sunburnt skin on the face that causes dryness that can be treated by the use of suitable skin moisturizer cream or gel. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/adult/eye-problems, https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/index.html, https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin, https://www.americanskin.org/resource/dryskin.php, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/dry-skin-overview, https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/types-of-eczema/eczema-around-the-eyes/, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/types/atopic-dermatitis/symptoms, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/types/contact-dermatitis/treatment, https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/seborrheic-dermatitis/, A safer blood thinner? If no improvement, may need . Diagnosis and management of blepharitis: an optometrist's perspective. i have no idea why? But if your dry, flaking eyelids are especially severe and triggered by certain things, they might be considered a type of eczema, like atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis. Treatment is focused on good skincare. False eyelashes and eyelash glue can also be a problem. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. This skin condition is usually characterized by silvery white scales that turn into red, pink, dark thick patches to the affected area of the skin. Fine lines that are more noticeable Why do i wake up with lumps on my eyelids every morning? If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This transfers the irritant or allergen to the eyelid. It is common and not usually anything to worry about. We avoid using tertiary references. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are infections and tend to be contagious. 2017;96(51):e9288. Symptoms that may accompany dry skin on the eyelid include irritation and itchiness, among others. Unlike corticosteroids, they do not thin the skin. In other cases, a person might require medical help. The mites can cause rosacea-like symptoms, including: Demodex folliculorum is the type most likely to infest eyelashes. 2017;150(5):285-97. doi:10.1177/1715163517710958, Owen JL, Vakharia PP, Silverberg JI. Better to rebuy than risk a flake outbreak (or other form of irritation). It may cause scaling on your skin as well as itching, redness, and oozing. They may also experience eyelash loss due to constant rubbing and scratching. Blepharitis usually affects both eyes. This condition often occurs in infants, babies or toddlers. If your chalazion hasn't gone away in 1 month, your eye doctor may try other things, like: It can also occur due to various skin conditions, such as eczema, contact dermatitis, or conjunctivitis.. Creams and ointments can help to relieve dry skin. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can show up dry dark patches to the affected area. Apply cool compresses to your eyelids to soothe dry, irritated, and itchy skin. Guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis (eczema) for pharmacists. To treat mild or moderate dry skin eczema, many people use hydrocortisone cream twice a day, for Cornea, Cataract, & Refractive (LASIK & PRK) Surgery. The condition of dry skin can occur in both adults and children (infants, babies or toddlers) regardless of the sex and skin color. If this occurs, it can lead to ocular rosacea, which causes swelling of the eyelids and dry, red, and swollen eyes. Dry skin on your eyelids can cause your eyelids to be flaky, scaly, and rough. All rights reserved. People with atopic dermatitis (eczema) have outbreaks of red, scaly skin. Also, it can lead to tenderness, redness or inflamed skin to the affected area. Do you have a dry skin on the eyelids? Baby shampoo is an inexpensive . Allergies, mites, dandruff, and certain medications may increase the likelihood of this. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. On dark skin tones, dry skin may look darker than the surrounding skin or greyish. F1000Res. See our, Dry Skin on Eyelids, Patch, Dermatitis, Pictures, Causes, Get Rid, Treatment & Home Remedies, 11. Eczema can usually be diagnosed by sight alone. By Troy Bedinghaus, OD Eczema can affect any area of skin, including the eyelids and around the eyes. For the case of severe sunburnt and dry skin on your face, you can seek the help of your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Flaky eyelids can sometimes develop as the skin ages. Your doctor may also recommend a corticosteroid to clear up atopic dermatitis. Treatment depends on your eye condition and overall, Gray spots in your eye may be harmless, due to age or even injury. Don't try to pop the stye or squeeze the pus from a stye. Dry air is more common during the winter when the temperature drops. I have a small red patch of dry skin below one eye. It is important to read the product label carefully before applying any moisturizer near the eyes. Learn more about some causes of a rash around the eyes and their treatment options. Some common symptoms of dry skin include: On light skin tones, dry skin may look red. What's an effective treament for a flaky dry skin rash on one of my eyelids. Some people report that perioral dermatitis itches or burns. There are multiple issues that could cause what you describe. Required fields are marked with *. Try just simple vaseline or aquaphor. Some active ingredients in moisturizers include: To help with dry skin, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends: If a person has known triggers for contact dermatitis, avoiding those triggers can often help to reduce symptoms. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. . HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association. Clean your face with soaps and facial cleansers that are fragrance-free and gentle on your skin. The harmless condition of the dry skin on your eyelids can go away within few days without the use of treatment. Dry skin under the eyes, on the eyelids or near the eyebrows may look red, rough or flaky. Sometimes, the eyelids may become swollen. Avoid exposure to hot water by taking cooler, shorter showers and baths, and by washing your face only once a day. All of these contain ingredients with potential irritants or allergens. Scientists use genetic rewiring to increase lifespan of cells, Beyond amyloid and tau: New targets in developing dementia treatments, Napping longer than 30 minutes linked to higher risk of obesity and high blood pressure, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, rashes that ooze fluids or bleed after scratching, deepening of wrinkles and lines on the skin, makeup ingredients, including metals such as gold, shellac, an ingredient in some skincare products, benzalkonium chloride, a preservative found in some skincare and eyedrops, fragrances, which may be found in a range of cosmetics and household products, surfactants, which make soaps and cleaning products foam up, acrylates, a component of artificial nails, moisturizing several times a day, including right after bathing, avoiding bathing or showering for longer than 5 minutes, using warm rather than hot water to bathe, avoiding prolonged sun exposure and tanning beds, washing with gentle cleansers and using skin products for sensitive skin. There is no treatment or cure. If cutting back on salt solves the problem, your level of salt consumption was the cause of your puffy eyelids. Dry air can reduce moisture in the top layers of the skin, causing it to become dry. Indian J Dermatol. In many cases, the problem will resolve if the person stops using the product that is causing the reaction. Allergens and irritants are some of the most common triggers for eczema and often affect the delicate skin of our eyelids before causing trouble anywhere else on the skin, Amy Kassouf, M.D., a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. These are rare but serious. There are, however, a number of common and uncommon causes of flaky eyelids to also consider. 10 Sources See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board The cause of rosacea is not known for sure. Common allergens that may cause contact dermatitis on the eyelids include: Irritant dermatitis is also possible. You can control and treat dry patches of psoriasis by using prescribe medicated creams or ointments. Irritants that can cause contact dermatitis include: Products that contain fragrances, metals (like nickel), and certain chemicals may cause contact dermatitis. Int J Ophthalmol. It often causes a red, itchy rash. . These effects may prevent a persons skin from retaining moisture. The most common include inflammation of the eyelids, and skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. Perioral (periorificial) dermatitis is a red rash that circles your mouth. Whats Causing the Itchy Rash On Your Forehead? You might want to apply sunscreen before your next nail appointment. The redness, irritation, and swelling of an eyelid rash may be due to an irritation (e.g., from makeup), an allergy, or skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and some autoimmune or immune-related disorders. A healthcare provider can identify them by taking a small scraping of the affected skin and examining it under a microscope. This article looks at some of the possible causes of flaky eyelids and how they are treated. Last medically reviewed on November 8, 2022, Evaporative dry eye is the most common type of dry eye syndrome. Unlike harmless causes, your eyelids may develop dry skin as a result of serious skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea that won't go away easily. Dermatitis. Learn more. 2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. A person can experience dry skin around the eyes as a result of aging or the weather. If a person develops atopic dermatitis around the eyes, they should contact a doctor, especially if they are experiencing eye problems that last longer than a few days. The growth of yeast infection is encouraged by the hot and moist condition of the skin. A tissue swab can help determine if there is a bacterial or fungal infection. People at greatest risk for developing rosacea include: There are no tests to diagnose rosacea. Occasionally, dry, flaking eyelids signal a larger health problem, which is why its important to seek the advice of a dermatologist should your skin condition last more than a few weeks. In most cases, a stye will begin to disappear on its own in a couple days. This is a cosmetic issue that might lower your self-esteem when your face has scaly skin that appears less attractive. A doctor may also prescribe other medications to treat related symptoms. And, as is the case with my own lid issue, Dr. Zeichner, changing weather is also a very common trigger for dry eyelids. Vaseline gel is an example of skin moisturizer that you can apply to your dry skin on the eyelid daily. If problems persist despite these at-home interventions, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a dermatologist. Additionally, the eyelids and surrounding areas are vascular, meaning a lot of blood flows through vessels around the eye. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? (n.d.). It is common to lose oil and sweat glands as you age. Less common causes include rosacea and demodex, a type of mite. Some of them include contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, or blepharitis. In some cases, a mild 0.5% hydrocortisone cream may be used to treat an outbreak. Massage the swollen area gently to help drain the clogged gland. Eyelids are more sensitive to irritants or skin issues. Another skin moisturizer can also work similarly to Aloe Vera to your dry skin on eyelids. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You might see redness on and around your eyelids. Eczema symptoms can come and go. This is why yeast infection is prevalent in an area that has hot and moist weather condition. The reagent can help to exfoliate dry skin on the eyelids and leave you with soft and bright skin. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. This includes the skin around the eyes, which is thinner and more delicate than skin elsewhere on the body. For some conditions such as blepharitis, gentle cleaning along the lashline may reduce symptoms. Put a warm, damp cloth on your eye several times a day. Alternatively, protect your skin by applying suitable sunscreen cream with SPF to your skin.