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. 2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. Common causes are aging since the skin loses elasticity and fat shifts, genetics, lifestyle habits like poor sleeping and smoking, and different conditions like allergies or thyroid conditions may cause under-eye bags. Winter is a season of the year that is usually accompanied by dry winds that can blow away moisture content from your skin. We also look at symptoms, causes, and prevention. Alternatively, you can go for medical treatment if the dry skin on your eyelids is caused by serious skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and melanoma. It can develop on the eyelids and around the eyes, causing the skin to become itchy and swollen. 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. Some may cause irritation and stinging. itchy and quite red. More severe cases of dry eyelids may require treatment from a doctor. Blepharitis (Eyelid Inflammation): Causes & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic Dry skin can develop anywhere on the body. Surgery may be needed if a doctor determines your eye may not heal on its. In addition, you can develop a dry skin on your eyelids due to washing your body with heavily chlorinated water. This can result in dry, red, irritated, and flaky skin. If there's any skin irritation after the patch is removed, it may mean you have an allergy. And, as is the case with my own lid issue, Dr. Zeichner, changing weather is also a very common trigger for dry eyelids. Over time, the meibomian glands may not work as well as they used to. 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. Blepharitis has a few possible causes. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. First, simplify your skin-care and makeup routines. You should also consider wearing protective eyewear to avoid harmful particles from contacting your eyelid and eye. Hi there is a dry skin patch under my right eye and now i have random dry skin patches on my face and neck and right ear lobe. These underlying conditions vary in severity and outlook. It can happen when a skin condition causes irritation, when you develop an infection or when oil glands become clogged. The flaking made all my eye makeup look cracked and messy, so I stopped wearing it. Fine lines that are more noticeable Sometimes, the eyelids may become swollen. Whats Causing the Itchy Rash On Your Forehead? 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. The hot water can dissolve and wash away all the natural superficial oils from your skin leaving you with dry skin. As ScienceLine explains, salt promotes fluid retention, and eye bags are generally a sign of excess water in the fatty tissue beneath the eyes 3. Likely this is seborrheic dermatitis. The harmless condition of the dry skin on your eyelids can go away within few days without the use of treatment. Dry skin doesn't typically cause bags under the eyes. Don't try to pop the stye or squeeze the pus from a stye. 2018;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1885. Mowad CM, et al. Dry skin on your eyelids can cause your eyelids to be flaky, scaly, and rough. This type of eczema develops in places with a lot of oil-producing glands, or sebaceous glands. As that name implies, it's a skin condition caused by your eyelids coming into contact with something a substance or physical trigger that you're allergic to or irritated by. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. However, it can encourage dry or flaky skin on your face. All rights reserved. If contact dermatitis returns or does not resolve with treatment, a person may need to undergo patch testing to find out which allergen or irritant is the cause. Your symptoms can vary depending on which type you have: 1 Eyelid dermatitis symptoms can include: 2 Redness Dry, scaly, or rough skin Itching around your eyes Swollen eyelids Oozing or crusted skin Eyelid dermatitis can lead to stress, sleeping trouble, and decreased quality of life. A person can treat some causes of dry skin around the eyes at home. Also double-check the expiration dates on your skin-care products and makeup because those that are past their expiration dates may be more likely to cause irritation or contain contaminants, Dr. Zeichner says. Blepharitis, pronounced bleh-fur- RY -tis, means inflammation of the eyelid. This condition can also damage your eyelids with the development of hard cysts. When it comes to rashes, sometimes the simplest treatments are the best, he says. Human demodex mite: the versatile mite of dermatological importance. For this case, you can seek the help of your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. 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. This can result from skincare products, makeup, and hair dye. When it gets colder out, there is less humidity in the air. Irritants and allergens cause contact dermatitis. How to Know When Your Dry Skin Is Actually Eczema, The 16 Best New Skin-Care Products for Dry Skin, 8 Makeup Tips for When Your Skin Is Super Dry. Instead, opt for a simple emollient such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($12, Amazon) or Vaseline ($15 for a pack of 3, Amazon) (my personal go-to) during a flare-up, which Dr. Kassouf says can be easier on the eyes during periods of irritation. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. If no improvement, see a dermatologist. It may also lead to areas of dry, flaky skin that itch or crack open. Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin. Indian J Dermatol. Blepharitis occurs on the eyelid and is caused by bacteria or another health condition like rosacea. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that can occur anywhere on your body parts. Reassess whether or not you need to use all of those products, like primer, shadow, liner, and mascara, all of which have preservatives or even fragrance than can cause a reactionsometimes weeks, months, or years after beginning to use a product. This condition occurs when your skin encounters an irritating substance. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), some people have a higher chance of developing dry skin than others, including those: Additionally, some medications, including statins and diuretics, can cause excessively dry skin. For some conditions such as blepharitis, gentle cleaning along the lashline may reduce symptoms. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. 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. Eyelid dermatitis causes the skin on or around the eyelid to become dry, itchy, and irritated. It is important to read the product label carefully before applying any moisturizer near the eyes. We avoid using tertiary references. People at greatest risk for developing rosacea include: There are no tests to diagnose rosacea. Here are 10 causes of under-eye swelling and what you can do to prevent and treat them. If no improvement, may need . The skin around the eyes is among the most delicate on the human body. Dry Skin on Eyelids, Patch, Dermatitis, Pictures, Causes - TreatCure ps: i have extremely sensitive dry skin. Eczema can affect any area of skin, including the eyelids and around the eyes. What Does It Mean to Have a Gray Spot in Your Eye? Eyelids are more sensitive to irritants or skin issues. Dry Eyelids: Treatments for Flaky, Dry Skin - Greatist doi:10.1111/dth.13103. Eventually, I developed tiny, bleeding cracks in my eyelid creases, which were sensitive and painful. The symptoms of dry skin can vary in severity from mild to severe. Dry Eyelids: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments and More - Healthline Along with redness and itchiness, there may be: Like all allergic conditions, contact dermatitis happens when your immune system mistakes an otherwise harmless substance for a threat. A person can experience dry skin around the eyes as a result of aging or the weather. Learn more about some causes of a rash around the eyes and their treatment options, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. And it can cause a serious infection of your eyelids. All rights reserved. Some people can experience eczema around the eyes. Doctors can help you to manage and treat chronic patches of eczema with the use of topical creams or ointments. If the flaking is accompanied by red, puffy, or purple discoloration around the eyes, Dr. Zeichner says this may rarely signify an underlying medical condition, particularly autoimmune conditions like lupus or dermatomyositis, which also usually comes with muscle weakness and pain. Keep your hands clean and apply warm compresses to the eye if you suspect blepharitis. Over time, the skin gets thinner, loses fat, and can lose its smooth appearance. Dry patches of ringworms on the face can be treated with the help of antifungal ointment creams. I have a small red patch of dry skin below one eye. When you expose the meibomian glands to adhesive products, you risk not only clogging pores but introducing bacteria with each reuse of the lashes. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You might want to combat bad breath right awaybut tweaking your routine could be worth it. Why Is There a Bump on My Eyelid? - Eye Center of Texas Eyelid eczema is common in adults with eczema elsewhere on the face. The most common symptom of atopic dermatitis is itching. Dry Skin Around The Eyes | Dry Eyelids | Eucerin Rooms that do not have a lot of humidity can also dry the skin. Atopic dermatitis around the eyes may lead to eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis and keratitis, which is an inflamed cornea. 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. . Blepharitis results in scales on the eyelid as well as irritation, redness, burning, tearing, crusting, and more. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Try Neutrogena Hydroboost Eye Gel-Cream ($24, Ulta) or Aquaphor, which dermatologists recommended to SELF previously. Try just simple vaseline or aquaphor. Troy L. Bedinghaus, OD, board-certified optometric physician, owns Lakewood Family Eye Care in Florida. This is the clear, outer covering of the eye. How to Safely Remove a Skin Tag on Your Eyelid: Expert Advice Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. This is a cosmetic issue that might lower your self-esteem when your face has scaly skin that appears less attractive. Aging decreases the amount of oil in the top layers of the skin and reduces sweat glands in the skin. People with blepharitis often say they feel grit beneath the eyelid.