Treatments, Symptoms, Causes, and More

Eyelid dermatitis can make eyes itchy, swollen, or irritated. It typically results from allergies or sensitivities to fragrances, preservatives, or other chemicals.

If your eyelids often get itchy, swollen, or irritated, you may have one or more forms of eyelid dermatitis, a very common condition. The two types of eyelid dermatitis are atopic (allergic) contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.

Keep reading to learn more about eyelid dermatitis, including treatments, causes, symptoms, and ways to prevent it.

Symptoms of eyelid dermatitis can occur in one or both eyes. Your symptoms may be chronic (long term) or they may only happen occasionally. They may also include the eyelids alone or the surrounding area.

Symptoms may include:

• itching
• swelling
• pain or burning sensation
• scaly, irritated skin
• thickened, creased skin
• a red or pink rash on lighter skin tones or a darker brown or tan rash on darker skin tones

The skin on your eyelids is very thin. It contains many blood vessels and little fat. This composition makes them susceptible to irritation and prone to allergic reactions.

Eyelid dermatitis has many causes, and it may be challenging to figure out what is causing your symptoms.

In people with atopic contact dermatitis, symptoms can result from an allergy. Symptoms occur when your immune system produces antibodies as a reaction to a substance you’re allergic to.

These antibodies are called immunoglobulin E (IgE). The antibodies create a chemical reaction in the cells, which causes allergic symptoms, such as redness and itching.

Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when the area around your eyelids comes into contact with an irritating substance. You don’t need to be allergic to the substance.

For example, makeup or eye cream may cause irritant contact dermatitis even if you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients.

Many substances that cause allergic contact dermatitis also cause irritant contact dermatitis. The difference between the two conditions is determined by your immune system’s reaction.

No matter what type of eyelid dermatitis you have, the result can be itchy and uncomfortable. Both types can be treated with medication or lifestyle changes.

Keeping a daily journal may help you uncover an allergen or sensitivity that might be playing a role in causing your eyelid dermatitis.

Try writing down the products you use each day and looking for clues in the ingredient lists. These products should include personal care products that you use on your face, hair, and body, like soap, lotion, and shampoo.

You should also note items you use around the house, such as cleansers, since you may be transmitting irritants to your eyelids with your hands.

For some people, dust or even the weather may cause symptoms of eyelid dermatitis.

Causes of atopic contact dermatitis	Causes of irritant contact dermatitis
foods you’re allergic to	very hot or cold temperatures
pollen	extreme humidity or very dry air
latex	rubbing or scratching the eyes
rubber	insect bites
plastic	chemicals, including chlorine and bleach
contact lens solution	rubbing alcohol
personal care products, including eye makeup, moisturizer, cleanser, nail polish, hand cream, hair dye, or shampoo	personal care products, such as benzoyl peroxide in acne management products
metals, such as nickel, which might be found in tweezers, scissors, and jewelry	industrial solvents
medications, such as corticosteroids and antibiotics	airborne contaminants, such as dust particles
preservatives in various products, including eye drops	wood particles
dust mites	new carpeting, furniture, and mattresses that may shed chemicals and cause a reaction known as “off-gassing. ”
pet dander
perfume

If a trigger for your symptoms can be identified, eliminating it will be your first and best line of defense. If a food trigger is found, removing it from your diet is key.

Your doctor may prescribe the use of a short-term topical or oral corticosteroid, which will reduce inflammation, swelling, and itching.

If you decide to try an over-the-counter topical treatment, make sure to check the ingredient list first. Some of these products include preservatives and other ingredients you might be allergic to. Avoid any that have:

• added fragrance
• formaldehyde
• lanolin
• parabens

It’s important to keep your eyelids clean. It’s best to avoid touching your skin, scratching, or rubbing your eyes. Try not to use makeup or scented cleansers during this time. Even hypoallergenic cosmetics should be avoided until your symptoms improve.

If you work in a very dusty or contaminated environment, wearing wraparound goggles may help eliminate irritation to your eyelids.

There are a number of at-home treatments you can try. You’ll likely need to use a trial-and-error approach. Don’t continue with a treatment that doesn’t provide relief or that seems to make your symptoms worse.

Topical applications you might wish to try include:

• cold washcloth compresses dipped in water
• cucumber slices
• a salve made from plain oatmeal and honey that you apply to the skin
• aloe vera gel

The triggers for eyelid dermatitis vary, so you may end up having to prevent future issues after you’ve encountered an irritant. Here are some ways to keep contaminants and irritants away from your eyes:

• Avoid old or expired makeup and skin care. Only use makeup that hasn’t shown any signs of expiration to avoid irritation.
• Limit harsh ingredients on the eyelids. This could include benzoyl peroxide, retinols, exfoliants, and other active skin care ingredients.
• Start slowly with new products. Only try one new face product at a time, just in case you end up having a reaction. You’ll be able to pinpoint the culprit more easily.
• Be gentle with your eyes. Try not to excessively rub or touch your eyes, as that can increase the risk of infection.
• Watch your meals. If you have any food allergies, you’ll want to avoid those foods, as they could trigger eyelid dermatitis.
• Limit certain skin care ingredients. Check out ingredient labels on moisturizers and makeup for common irritants. These could include fragrance (often labeled “perfume” or “parfum”), formaldehyde, lanolin, or parabens. Not everyone is sensitive to these ingredients. Hypoallergenic makeup brands may help.
• Wear protective eyewear and gloves. Goggles, protectice glasses, and gloves can help in situations where irritants may come in contact with your hands or face or are floating in the air.
• Use mild soaps. As with moisturizers and makeup, look for any irritating ingredients in soaps, body washes, and hair products.

It can be hard to predict who is more likely to be sensitive to irritants that can cause eyelid dermatitis. A few factors may come into play:

• Age. Babies and children are often more susceptible to skin conditions, especially rashes and conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.
• Genetics. Allergies and other inheritied traits can make a person more susceptible to dermatitis.
• Misusing personal care products. Using old products or not using products as recommended can trigger the sensitive eyelid area.
• Medications. Some medications, such as antibiotics, beta-blockers, neomycin (often found in antibiotic creams), sulfa medications, and local anesthetics can cause dermatitis.
• Medical conditions. Certain skin conditions like acne or psoriasis and conditions like asthma can sometimes trigger dermatitis.
• Professions. Jobs where you’re exposed to triggering or irritating substances can be a factor. These include jobs within farm and agricultural, construction, and factory settings.

If your symptoms are clearly associated with a specific product, such as mascara, eliminating the product should also eliminate your symptoms.

If you cannot identify what is causing the condition, seeing a doctor, such as an allergist or dermatologist, can help.

Your doctor will review your symptoms and ask you questions that may help uncover potential triggers. They’ll also ask you about allergic reactions you’ve had and your history of:

• atopic eczema
• hay fever
• asthma
• other skin conditions

If your doctor suspects you have an allergy, one or more tests may be done to determine what you’re allergic to. Some of these require needles or lancets but cause minimal pain. The tests include:

Patch test

A patch test is typically done on your arm or back. Your doctor will choose around 25 to 30 potential allergens to test in you. Tiny amounts of each allergen will be placed on your skin and covered with hypoallergenic tape, forming a patch.

You’ll wear the patch for 2 days, after which time your doctor will examine the area to see if you’ve had an allergic reaction.

Intradermal allergy test

Unlike the patch test, this test provides results in under 30 minutes. Tiny needles are used to inject small amounts of potential allergens right under the surface of the skin, usually on your arm.

Your doctor can test for multiple substances at one time. Each area is observed for an allergic reaction, such as redness, swelling, or hives.

Skin prick (scratch) test

This test also provides fast results and can be used to test up to 40 substances at one time. A tiny amount of various allergen extracts is gently inserted directly beneath the skin using a cutting tool, called a lancet.

In addition to the allergens, histamine is inserted to verify the accuracy of the test. Histamine should cause an allergic reaction in everyone. If it doesn’t cause one in you, then the entire test is considered invalid.

Glycerin, or saline, is also inserted. These substances shouldn’t cause an allergic reaction. If they do, then your doctor may determine that instead of allergies, you have highly sensitive skin and are experiencing irritation, not an allergic reaction.

Radioallergosorbent test

This is a blood test that detects specific IgE antibodies. It may help your doctor pinpoint the substances you’re allergic to.

When severe, eyelid dermatitis can have some complications. These include:

• Infection. Scratching, rubbing, or generally touching your eye too much can cause an infection to the skin or to the eye itself. Limit touching and be gentle to avoid causing additional irritation.
• Day-to-day issues. Symptoms of eyelid dermatitis may be severe enough to cause issues with seeing, working, sleeping, and doing day-to-day tasks.
• Additional symptoms. Since the eyelids are such a sensitive area, you may experience eyelid symptoms prior to additional symptoms elsewhere, such as on the rest of your face or hands.
• Neurodermatitis. Persistent scratching can cause scaly, thickened skin called neurodermatitis.

Both atopic and contact dermatitis can be successfully treated and eliminated. Determining what’s causing your symptoms can help to reduce your chances of a recurrence.

There are many irritants and allergens in the environment, so it’s not always possible to figure out what is causing your symptoms.

If you have skin that irritates easily, you may also become sensitive to substances you once were able to tolerate. Using personal care products and cleaners made from hypoallergenic ingredients may help.

You should also try to keep your eyelids and hands clean, which may help to prevent or reduce future recurrences. Try keeping your hands away from your eyes and keeping a daily diary of the things you eat and the products you use to look for patterns in any flare-ups.

Finally, it’s important to talk with your doctor if your eyelids are irritated. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can begin treatment and find relief.

Eyelid Bump: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

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Eyelid bumps are painful, red lumps at the edge of the eyelid, typically where the lash meets the lid. Bacteria or a blockage in the eyelid’s oil glands cause most eyelid bumps.

Eyelid bumps are often harmless and don’t always require medical treatment. They often go away on their own or with basic home care.

But if an eyelid bump becomes increasingly painful, doesn’t respond to home treatments, or interferes with your vision, you may want to talk with a doctor about ways to manage your symptoms or see whether you have a more severe problem.

There are three types of common eyelid bumps. The type and underlying cause of your eyelid bump will determine the best course of treatment.

Styes

A stye is the most common type of eyelid bump. Styes occur when bacteria get into the oil glands of the eyelids. A stye is a round, red bump that appears close to your eyelashes.

Styes can make your eyelid feel sore. It can also cause you to be sensitive to light and make your eye watery or feel itchy. It typically takes a few days for a stye to form, and you may have more than one at a time.

Chalazion

A chalazion is an inflammatory lesion that occurs when the oil-producing glands or tear glands in the eyelids become blocked. A chalazion usually grows further on your eyelid than a stye.

It’s painless in most cases and often goes away with home or over-the-counter treatment. It can interfere with your vision depending on where it grows and how big it gets.

Xanthelasma

Xanthelasma are harmless yellow bumps that occur when fats build up underneath the skin. They most commonly affect people ages 35 to 55 years old. In some cases, the bumps indicate high cholesterol levels.

Most eyelid bumps appear as red or skin-colored lumps, typically along the edge of the eyelid. Sometimes they can be tender. Other symptoms include red, watery eyes, a gritty, itchy sensation in the eye and sensitivity to light.

Although most eyelid bumps are mild or harmless, some can indicate a more severe condition. Consider seeing a doctor if any of the following occur:

• you’re having trouble seeing
• your eyes are extremely watery
• there’s copious discharge from your eye
• the white part of your eye changes color
• your eyes hurt even in low lighting
• your eyelid bump bleeds, gets worse, grows very big, or is very painful
• your eyelid is scaly, crusty, or red, which can indicate an infection
• your eyelid has blisters, which can indicate an infection

If a stye or chalazion doesn’t go away over time with home care, a doctor can determine whether it’s a more severe condition and discuss treatment options.

Styes occur when bacteria enter and inflame your oil glands.

Your risk of having styes increases if you have blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelash follicles.

A chalazion can form when the oil glands in your eyelids are blocked. Styes that don’t drain can turn into chalazia.

Xanthelasma occur when you have collections of fat just below the skin’s surface. They sometimes indicate an underlying condition that can cause high cholesterol, such as diabetes. They can also form without a connection to any medical conditions.

A doctor can diagnose a stye or chalazion. Depending on the bump’s location, the doctor may quickly flip your eyelid over to take a closer look. No other tests are necessary unless there’s a concern that you may have a different medical problem.

Home care

Trying to squeeze or pop a stye or chalazion can increase your risk of infection and spread bacteria to your other eye. You can treat a stye at home by holding a warm compress on it for 10 minutes up to 4 times a day.

Heat and compression can help drain the stye, loosen blockages in the oil gland, and aid healing.

Xanthelasma don’t require home care.

Medical care

A doctor may need to drain the infected fluid if you have a large stye. If you keep getting styes or have ones that won’t go away, a doctor might prescribe an antibiotic cream for your eyelid.

Surgery may be an option if you have a large chalazion that doesn’t go away on its own. A doctor might give you antibiotic eye drops before and after surgery to treat or prevent infection. This is usually done in the doctor’s office. Anti-inflammatory steroid injections can relieve swelling.

Xanthelasma don’t need treatment, but you may wish to remove it if the appearance bothers you.

Options include:

• laser or radio-frequency ablation
• a chemical peel
• cryotherapy
• surgery

Drugs that affect the entire body — such as probucol, an antioxidant, and alirocumab, an anticholesterol therapy — have shown promise, but more research is needed.

Styes usually heal on their own after draining, which can take a few days to a week. Call a doctor if the stye doesn’t go away within 1 to 2 weeks. You might also get more styes after the initial one heals.

A chalazion usually disappears within a few weeks or months when treated at home. Still, you may want to tell a doctor if the chalazion keeps getting bigger or isn’t improving with warm compresses after a couple of weeks.

Xanthelasma are harmless, but you should talk with a doctor about testing for underlying conditions. If you have one removed, there’s a high chance it will return.

You can find a primary care doctor in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.

Practicing good hygiene can help reduce your risk of getting a stye. You can prevent the spread of bacteria with regular handwashing. Also, try not to touch your eyes until you’ve washed your hands with hot, soapy water.

You can help prevent chalazia by rinsing your eyelids twice daily with warm water and mild soap if you have blepharitis. It would help if you also put a warm compress on your eyelid as soon as it feels irritated.

Controlling your cholesterol levels by eating a balanced diet and maintaining a moderate weight might help prevent xanthelasma, which can result from high cholesterol levels.

Puffy eyes from allergies? Treatment and prevention

1. home

2. Hygiene and care

3. Folk remedies for colds

4. Allergies in the eyes: how to treat puffy eyes from allergies

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If you have swollen eyelids, allergies can unfortunately be your problem during the flowering season. After all, puffy eyes from allergies are one of the most common symptoms of a pollen allergy. The good news is that eye allergies can be treated at home in fairly simple ways. Read our article and you will learn what to do with puffy eyes and how to bring swollen and itchy eyelids back to normal. The preventive measures that we will discuss will help you quickly recover from eye allergies.

Please note that all information on our website is provided for educational purposes only and is in no way a substitute for expert advice. In case of any complications, consult a doctor immediately!

Puffy eyes: Allergy and its causes

Runny nose, sore throat and puffy eyes from allergies are the main and very unpleasant symptoms of pollen allergy. But what exactly causes eye swelling from allergies? The fact is that our body struggles with external stimuli, such as dust, dandruff or pollen. When your eyelids are swollen, an allergy to pollen or other foreign elements triggers a defensive reaction in the body. Watery eyes help you get rid of dry eyes and allergens, but at the same time cause itching and redness of the eyelids.

You have learned what an eye allergy is. Now we will tell you what to do with puffy eyes from allergies at home.

Eye Allergies: Prevention and Treatment

We strongly recommend that you first consult your doctor before using any eye products, especially if there is no noticeable improvement or allergy symptoms worsen.

However, there are several things you can do to prevent puffy eyes from allergies at home:

• Cold compresses. A clean, soft cloth soaked in cold water will help relieve unpleasant itching and inflammation of the eyelids.
• Flush eyes frequently. Wash your face with clean cold water. This will help loosen the allergens and flush them out of your eyes.

For compresses and wiping tears, use tissue paper and boxed tissues such as Zewa Deluxe. They are very soft and will be extremely gentle on your sore eyes.

How to avoid pollen allergy

Puffy eyes from allergies can be soothed and relieve irritation. But prevention, as you know, is always better than cure, especially when it comes to pollen allergies. The home remedies described above will help relieve allergy symptoms. But these simple preventive measures will help you avoid eye allergies:

• Watch the weather forecast. One of the most effective ways to avoid puffy eyes from allergies is to try to leave the house as little as possible in dry weather when there is a lot of dust outside. Checking the weather forecast every day will not take you much time, but it will help you forget about allergies to dust and pollen for a long time.
• Wear sunglasses. Of course, you can’t stay at home all the time because of the weather. But when going outside on such hot and dry days, never forget your sunglasses. They will protect your eyes from allergens.
• Close windows. Pollen can enter your home or car through open windows. On hot days, use fans and turn on the air conditioner in your car, but try to keep the windows closed.

Our simple tips will help you avoid eye allergies and reduce eye puffiness. Now you know why eye allergies occur and what to do about puffy eyes. Put our recommendations into practice, and you will be able to look at the world with new, clear eyes!

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Allergy edema: how to relieve allergic edema

Edema is one of the most common manifestations of allergies. And, unfortunately, allergic edema most often appears on the face. How to get rid of them correctly and quickly?

Doctor’s consultation

You can get the consultation of the necessary specialist online in the Doctis 9 application0013

Laboratory

You can undergo a comprehensive examination of all major body systems

• Physiology of allergic edema
• Acute allergic edema
• Chronic allergic edema
• Treatment of allergic edema
• Topical Allergy Remedies
• Prevention of allergic edema

Why do allergic edema occur? What are they?

This phenomenon is based on the reaction of the body to an allergen – an increase in the permeability of the vascular
walls and the release of a large amount of fluid into the surrounding tissues. The speed of this process is directly related to the number
allergen and the duration of contact with it, as well as with sensitization of the body, that is
his sensitivity to the allergen.

Allergic edema – acute and chronic.

Acute edema is often manifested by Quincke’s edema – a massive increase in the volume of the face and neck, which
threatens to obstruct the upper respiratory tract and may well cause respiratory arrest. Therefore, Quincke’s edema
referred to as emergency situations. And in order to remove such a strong edema, an allergic person needs to be as soon as possible.
hospitalize, and in the hospital, against the background of complex treatment, the swelling will decline.
Sometimes acute edema does not occupy the entire face, but some part of it. For example, in response to a hit
pollen greatly swells the nose. Or lips can react to a new lipstick, so much so that no hyaluronic
acid is not needed. Sometimes the upper and lower eyelids swell when an allergen gets into the eyes.

The second type of allergic edema is chronic edema. They appear gradually, over several
hours, often in spring and early summer, during flowering. They are less dangerous, but no less
noticeable.

What are the general treatments for allergic edema?

Edema, although located on the face or limbs, is a manifestation of a systemic disease –
allergies. This means that drugs that act on the body systemically (that is, tablets) cannot be dispensed with.

In case of massive acute edema, epinephrine is administered intravenously to relieve them,
hormones, antihistamines. Let’s leave this job to the paramedics.

Local acute as well as chronic edema require oral antihistamines. Often this
course treatment, covering the entire period of the allergen, for example, flowering. Or for the entire visit,
a dusty room, for example, an old library or a museum store. I understand that among the readers there are those
who does not like pills, but alas, without antihistamines, it will not be possible to quickly remove allergic edema.

Is it possible to quickly remove allergic edema with the help of topical agents?

Various topical ointments containing hormones, mainly corticosteroids, are intended for this purpose.
They are used as prescribed by a doctor,
rubbing into the swollen area 2-3 times a day.

In addition, skin and nasal sprays, drops
with anti-edematous action. In order to choose the right agent and the optimal dosage form, it is better
consult with a doctor.

There are many effective folk recipes for the quick removal of allergic edema. So, swelling from the face
helps to remove the mask of fermented milk (kefir, sour cream) products. It should be applied to the face for 15-20
minutes and then rinse with cool water. Equally effective is the application of an ice heating pad or
direct massage with an ice cube obtained from freshly frozen black or green tea. Ice cubes –
an excellent remedy for removing swelling from the lips. If the eyelids are swollen, the old one will come to the rescue
beautician – cucumber. It is cut into rings, which are applied to the eyelids for 10-15
minutes.

How to avoid the recurrence of allergic edema?

So that the surprise does not take you by surprise again, you need to consult an allergist and try
calculate who served as the source of the allergy. For this, skin allergy tests have been developed, special
blood tests, provocative tests.

Knowing your allergen, it is realistic to avoid contact in the future, or in a timely manner
take preventive measures by starting antihistamines in advance, if you avoid unwanted
contact fails.

Allergic edema is widespread and its main problem is that many of us
for a long time they cannot figure out their allergic nature. Limit fluid intake, refuse beer
and tea, subscribe to “quick drying” channels in social networks, buy expensive
cosmetical tools.