How I Found My Perfect Eye Eczema Cream
After testing lots of products, both organic and chemical-based, I found my eye eczema miracle cream. So far it has saved my eyes from eczema, and I have had thousands of messages and comments over the years of others it has helped with eczema around the eyes and face. I first tried it out shortly after I originally wrote this post in November 2012, and 8 years on, in 2020, I still use it and it still works every time I have an eye eczema flare up.
here if youre in the USA or Canada.
Watch my 2019 video to find out more about my eye eczema journey!
What Medicines Do Doctors Prescribe To Treat Eyelid Eczema
To calm the eczema, I often prescribe a very very mild cortisone cream for a limited time. It must be in a totally-hypoallergenic base that does not sting skin or contain allergens such as anti-itch ingredients like diphenhydramine or “caines” .
Cortisone cream applied around the eye can be dangerous it can cause thinning of the cornea, cataracts and skin thinning – so this treatment needs to be supervised by a physician.
Learning About Atopic Dermatitis
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What Triggers Irritant Eyelid Contact Dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis may be triggered by contact with irritating substances and/or physical triggers.
Irritating substances that may cause irritant contact dermatitis of the eyelids include:
- Chemicals such as chlorine under goggles worn when swimming
- Dust particles
- Hydrophobic substances
- Cosmetics such as eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara and sunscreen
These substances may touch the eyelids directly or be transferred from the fingers .
Physical triggers that may cause irritant contact dermatitis include:
- Temperature extremes
- Humidity extremes
- Mechanical
What Triggers Allergic Eyelid Contact Dermatitis
Eyelid contact dermatitis follows direct contact with an allergen.
Allergy to cosmetics may be due to contact with allergens in:
- Hair dye, ie paraphenylenediamine allergy
Eyelid contact dermatitis is sometimes triggered by airborne allergens, such as dust mite and plant pollens. Compositae allergy is an example of an airborne allergen causing eyelid dermatitis.
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Can Eyelid Dermatitis Be Prevented
You can prevent eyelid dermatitis if you know what caused it and avoid that trigger. Additionally, try the following:
- Use products made for sensitive skin.
- Protect your eyelids by wearing protective glasses if youre going to be around extreme cold, high wind and/or a lot of dust.
- Avoid scratching or rubbing your eyelids.
- Touch your eyelids with clean hands only.
Can my diet help prevent eyelid dermatitis?
No, there are no foods or drinks you can ingest that can prevent eyelid dermatitis.
What Substances Trigger Acd Of The Eyelid
The eyelids are one of the most sensitive areas of the body. This means that they can react to:
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Products that are used on the eyelid itself, such as eye drops or makeup.
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Products that are used close by, such as facial products or hair products.
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Substances that are on the hands and then transferred to the eyelids , such as hand cream, plants, or even tiny metal particles.
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Substances in the air, such as air freshener.
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Types Of Eczema On Eyelids And Around Eyes
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 skin, including the eyelids and skin surrounding the eyes.
It occurs more often in the eye area in individuals who already have it on other parts of the body. Some of the common types of dermatitis affecting the eye area include atopic, contact, and seborrheic.
What Are Some Of The Most Common Substances That Trigger Acd Of The Eyelids How Can I Avoid Them
Fragrance additives and preservatives in skin and hair care products are some of the most common substances that trigger red, itchy eyelid rashes. The products listed below will avoid many of the most common triggers.
Chemicals in nail polish or artificial nails . For many patients with eyelid ACD, we recommend stopping these completely for at least 8 weeks.
Hair dye chemicals. These can affect the eyelids, even if the scalp isnt affected.
Antibiotic ointments or eyedrops, specifically neomycin, tobramycin, gentamycin, and bacitracin. If you are using any of these, you may need testing. You may also see if your doctor could prescribe an alternate. Note that erythromycin is an extremely rare cause of allergic reactions.
Preservatives in eyedrops. Testing is usually required to diagnose this allergy. Some persons, when possible, stop using the eyedrops temporarily. This can be tricky, though, because you would need to avoid the preservatives for 8 weeks to see if avoidance will help. Also, the common preservatives in eyedrops are often used in skin care products also.
Nickel, a type of metal used in eyeglass frames, jewelry, and other metal objects. If youve had rashes from jewelry, it may be best to switch to plastic eyeglass frames .
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What Is Allergic Contact Dermatitis
ACD is a type of allergic reaction. In this type of allergy, a substance contacts the skin, and later results in a rash. The rash from poison ivy is one example. The rash classically occurs 2-3 days later, but it may happen just a few hours later, or one week later. This delay is what makes ACD so hard to figure out.
Once the rash occurs, it may last for weeks, and sometimes up to 8 weeks. People may stop using the offending product for 1-2 weeks, but thats usually not long enough to see results.
How To Treat Eczema On Eyelids
Taking care of your skin condition is the best way to improve your symptoms and gain some relief. Moisturize your skin at least twice a day using:
- Creams
- Lotions
- Petroleum jelly
It may take some trial and error to find a product that works best for you. Since the skin around your eyes is sensitive, try something mild. Talk to your doctor about what ingredients you should avoid and check all product labels for those ingredients before making a purchase.
In addition to moisturizing, it is important to avoid irritants like:
- Sweat
- Applying moisturizer while your skin is still damp from the shower
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What Are The Clinical Features Of Facial Psoriasis
Facial psoriasis has various clinical presentations. There are three main subtypes:
- Hairline psoriasis
- An extension of scalp psoriasis beyond the hairline onto facial skin
- Bright red, thickened plaques with variable white scale
Psoriasis affecting hairline
- Patchy involvement of the hairline
- Often affects the eyelids, eyebrows, nasolabial folds and beard area
- Salmon-pink, thin plaques with bran-like scale
- Usually associated with diffuse or patchy scalp psoriasis
- Psoriasis may or may not be present at other sites
Sebopsoriasis
- Sharply demarcated, red, scaly plaques
- May affect any part of the face
- Plaques tend to be symmetrical
- Associated with psoriasis at other sites including ears, genitals, scalp, elbows, knees, and trunk
- Soreness and skin sensitivity, which are usually mild
Can I Treat My Eyelid Dermatitis With Vaseline
If youre dealing with the red, flaking, itchy rash that goes along with eyelid dermatitis, youll find that moisturizing your skin will help provide some relief. Its important to remember a few important points though.
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Choose the right moisturizer. The wrong product may contain chemicals to which you are allergic, which would just keep the rash going.
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Pure Vaseline petroleum jelly would be one good option, as long as it does not contain any added fragrance or flavorings. This is a really important point! Ive had parents buy Vaseline in the baby aisle, and that version actually contains fragrance.
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I dont recommend Vaseline intensive care lotion, or any other lotion, to treat allergic reactions of the eyelids. Lotions contain a lot of water, and a lot of preservatives.
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Another option would be 100% pure coconut oil
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Note that although these moisturizers may help soothe the skin, they dont actually treat the inflammation.
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If you have severe redness, flaking, and/or itching, see your physician. He or she will typically prescribe an anti-inflammatory cream or ointment to help calm down the skin inflammation of eyelid dermatitis
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Eliminate The Most Common Causes Of Eyelid Eczema In Your Personal Care Products To Heal The Skin:
I have them wash their face with the VaniCream Cleansing Bar.
I have them moisturize their entire skin – including face and hande – with my hypoallergenic Natural Face, Hand and Body Lotion.
This allergen-elimination typically allows the eyelid skin to heal. We then wait and watch, trying to figure out what activity and exposure seems to trigger the rash.
Symptoms Of Eyelid Eczema
If youve had eczema elsewhere on your body, you may wonder if your red, irritated eyes are caused by eczema. Common symptoms of eczema on the eyelids include:
The symptoms of eyelid eczema can mimic those of other conditions, so its important to see an eye doctor for proper assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
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How Is Eyelid Eczema Treated
The most important treatment is to figure out what caused the rash. That involves thinking about how the allergen or irritant got to your eyes. I target hair care products, face cleansers and face and hand products.
Usually, a day or two after contact, the rash starts. Then, it slowly builds up if you dont figure out the cause. To help sleuth out the cause, I remove some of the possible culprits I have patients use only hypoallergenic shampoo, face wash and moisturizers.
Atopic Eczema Around The Eyes
The primary difference separating atopic eczema from contact eczema is the cause. Atopic eczema is not due to an allergy but rather to atopy, a genetic hypersensitivity to the environment. The eyelids are a common area for atopic dermatitis to appear. It can sometimes be tough to distinguish between all these conditions, from allergic conjunctivitis caused by airborne allergens to allergic contact eczema.
Atopy can manifest as eczema as well as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and more.
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Common Symptoms Of Eyelid Dermatitis
With either type of eyelid dermatitis, you may experience symptoms in one or both eyes. Sometimes symptoms occur occasionally other times, eyelid eczema is chronic.
Common symptoms include:
- Red, scaly rash on your eyelids
- Itching and swelling around your eyes
- Pain or burning in and around your eyes
- Irritated skin
It may be hard to know whats causing these symptoms to flare up or become chronic, but its usually the result of an allergen or sensitivity to something in your environment.
Symptoms Of Eczema Eye Complications
Experts say there are a number of signs people with atopic dermatitis around their eyes should look out for that may signal something is wrong.
When eczema affects the skin around the eyes, that skin can become red and scaly, Seitzman says. Often the skin itches a lot and can also become red and sometimes swollen.
According to Evan Rieder, MD, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City, other signs of eye complications due to eczema include:
- Issues with vision
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What Is Eyelid Contact Dermatitis
Eyelid contact dermatitis is an inflammatory reaction involving the eyelid skin that is caused by contact with a trigger substance. It may be due to allergy or irritation . Eyelid dermatitis is also called eyelid eczema.
Upper, lower or both eyelids on one or both sides can be affected by contact dermatitis. The patient may report itching, stinging or burning, and the lids are red and scaly. They may swell. With persistence of the dermatitis, the eyelids become thickened with increased skin markings . The eyelid margins may become involved . The appearance is similar, whatever the cause.
The thin skin of the eyelids is particularly sensitive to irritants and allergens and is thus prone to develop contact dermatitis. Contact with the same trigger may not lead to a rash on other areas of skin.
Eyelid contact dermatitis
Reducing Redness On The Face
To get remove redness on the face, its helpful to have a daily skin care routine. Every day, wash your face with a gentle cleanser or water, pat the skin dry on the areas that are inflamed to soothe them, and then use a water-based moisturizer such as a cream or lotion to lock in moisture and reduce redness. This can really help to reduce inflammation fast!
Looking into your facial soaps, cleansers, and make-up products can help to see if there are harsh ingredients such as sulfates, exfoliants, or fragrance that might be causing your skin to break out.
Eczema on the face is typically patches of red and inflamed skin. This makes facial dermatitis especially difficult for children and adults to deal with, as it can be quite obvious and apparent!
Inflammation can also worsen due to outdoor triggers such as poor air quality such as pollution, dust, and dry weather. Because the skin has very little protection, its important to remove potential irritants and triggers.
In my video I show you what routine I do these days to keep my face clear and protected.
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How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed
Doctors usually diagnose psoriasis by examining the skin, scalp, and nails. Theyll also ask whether someone else in your family has psoriasis and if you recently had an illness or started taking a new medicine.
Rarely, doctors might take a skin sample to check more closely. A can tell the doctor whether its psoriasis or another condition with similar symptoms.
What Causes Eczema Around Your Eyes Or Otherwise
Theres not a definitive reason that some people develop eczema. Even with contact eczema, science hasnt discovered why some people have allergic reactions to the stuff others can touch no-problemo.
You can develop any kind of eczema due to a mix of genetic and environmental factors. There are strong hereditary links, stress can play a big part, and your immune system is also a catalyst for many eczema types.
Theres no way to test if youre at a high risk of developing eczema . Avoiding it may be impossible for some people. There are, however, known triggers that folks at risk of eczema are advised to steer clear of where they can.
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Medicine Used To Reduce Skin Inflammation Around Eyes Causes By Eczema
Your doctor might advise medication to lower the underlying inflammation triggering eczema around your eyes. A steroid lotion or cream, such as hydrocortisone, is frequently the first option for eczema on your eyes and eczema on hands as well. If your eyelids are included, your doctor might recommend steroid eye drops also. Although steroid medicines are normally efficient, side effects can accompany long-lasting use. If side effects are a concern or your eczema does not improve, your doctor may suggest another type of anti-inflammatory medication for your skin, such as pimecrolimus or tacrolimus . These medications are not approved for children below age 2. Your doctor may suggest other prescription creams, ointments, oral medications or eye drops to manage your eczema.
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What Should I Do If I Have Psoriasis In A Sensitive Area
Consult your doctor, who may refer you to a dermatologist. You will need expert advice on the correct treatment in sensitive areas. Psoriasis affecting the hairline and scalp is dealt with in more detail in Scalp Psoriasis.
There are organisations that specialise in camouflage make-up, including the British Association of Skin Camouflage, Changing Faces and the Skin Camouflage Network. You can find their contact details at the end of this leaflet.
However, make-up could interfere with the effectiveness of your topical psoriasis treatments and this is something that should be considered very carefully and discussed with your doctor. It is likely that make-up can be applied following treatment if enough time has reasonably elapsed.
The treatments used for facial psoriasis should be used carefully and sparingly as creams and ointments can irritate the eyes and mouth areas. They should always be used under the guidance of your doctor. If you are unsure about using over-the-counter products such as make-up and moisturisers then, again, you should consult your doctor or your pharmacist. This is because facial skin is delicate and irritation can easily occur. Using steroid medication, for instance, may cause facial skin to thin, appear shiny and be prone to spider veins.
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