Eczema on the eyes is a polymorphic rash on the sensitive skin around the eyes. The inflammatory area of the skin brings not only external discomfort, but also noticeable pain symptoms. Itchy spots, marked by increased peeling, are accompanied by swelling and swelling. A characteristic female illness leads to increased stress and even depression. The inflammation does not go away on its own; it only aggravates the condition of the skin of the entire face. It is necessary to fight an unpleasant disease, but only after a thorough examination by a specialist. Restoring the general picture of the disease allows us to determine the root cause of eczema, after which, after eliminating it, skin dermatitis can be quickly treated.
Eczema in the eyes brings discomfort and pain
Possible causes of the development of dermatosis on the skin of the eyelids and around the eyes
The fact that representatives of the fair sex suffer from this type of dermatosis much more often than men is not surprising. Ladies always try to look attractive and charming using cosmetics. But makeup products do not always contain natural, harmless ingredients. Often the ingredients of coloring compositions include allergens and complex synthetic compounds. In addition, mascara and shadows are not the entire list that causes eczema on the eyes.
The causes of pathological rashes in this area are often as follows:
- household dust;
- flower pollen;
- animal hair;
- taking medications;
- disturbances in the functioning of the body (metabolic abnormalities, hormonal imbalance, etc.).
Thus, external and internal factors can adversely affect the occurrence of dermatosis. Eczema in the eyes and its first signs, as a rule, make themselves felt with increased production of histamine, a decrease in the functional characteristics of organs and systems of the body. Weakened immunity and sensitization of the skin are a prerequisite for the development of dermatosis. Eczema around the eyes appears much less frequently than rashes on other areas of the face. Treatment of this form of the disease requires a more careful and careful approach due to the localization of pathological manifestations.
What is eczema and why does it appear on the eyelids?
Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by the appearance of rashes of various shapes on the upper and lower eyelids.
The cause of the disease is considered to be:
- congenital predisposition;
- hormonal imbalance;
- malfunction of the immune system;
- allergies to chemicals and pollen;
- long-term use of medications for chronic diseases.
Eczema on the eyes can occur in response to internal and external factors. It appears completely unexpectedly. The easier it is to treat eczema, the sooner the cause of the disease can be identified.
The appearance of eczema around the eyes as a reaction to an allergen requires avoiding contact with this allergen. Then the use of local ointments will very quickly cleanse the skin of the eyelids.
If this is a reaction of the human body to long-term therapy for chronic diseases, the treatment protocol should be reconsidered.
Things are more complicated if there is a genetic predisposition to this disease, but even in this case, an experienced dermatologist will select a therapeutic technique.
How the pathology manifests itself: main symptoms and signs
You can tell that eczema has started in your eyes by the following symptoms:
- the appearance of redness on the surface of the skin of the eyelids and forehead;
- constant itching;
- peeling noticeable to the naked eye;
- swelling of tissues;
- pain when touched.
Girls often make a common mistake: instead of seeing a doctor as soon as possible, they simply mask the painful signs. But under a thick layer of foundation and powder, the condition of the epidermis can significantly worsen. Eczema under the eyes and on the eyelids is aggravated by constant irritation, often erosive lesions appear in the affected areas, the skin can burst, which leads to complications.
If initially the disease did not cause the patient serious concerns about his condition, then the rash formed on the upper layer of the dermis, which consists of barely noticeable papules, should make the patient worried. Weeping eczema on the eyelids in most cases is the result of a bacterial infection. In addition, dermatoses in microbial form manifest themselves in a similar way.
Symptoms of eczema of the eyes and eyelids also include:
- excessive lacrimation not associated with emotional distress;
- uncomfortable pain and burning sensation in the eyes;
- Dry areas appear around the eyes, on the eyelids, and in the corners;
- When weeping, serous crusts appear, which disappear over time.
Untimely treatment leads to thickening of the eyelid and even turning it in the opposite direction. The complication is accompanied by intense eyelash loss. The resulting ulcerations and wounds must be constantly treated and disinfected - otherwise the erosions begin to fester, and an additional infection may develop.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the disease are considered characteristic and visually it is quite easy to determine the presence of pathological development. Eczema on the eyelid is manifested by painful swelling, the red eyelids narrow, almost closing the palpebral fissure, conjunctivae and serous discharge appear.
Eczema on the eyelid near the eye at its initial occurrence has an acute form of the disease. She is accompanied by:
- Watery eyes, swelling of the eyes, redness of the skin of the upper eyelids.
- Hyperemia, a feeling of unpleasant restriction (tightness) of the eyelids.
- Sensation of a foreign body on the mucous membrane of the eye (sand in the eyes), the appearance of dry scaly skin in the corners of the eyes and on the eyelids.
- Weeping erosive wounds that appear as a result of injuries to papules on the eyelids.
- Cracks, serous crusts.
- Thickening and eversion of the eyelid, profuse loss of eyelashes.
As a rule, the doctor determines the disease visually, based on symptoms. But in case of doubt, he can refer you for diagnostics. The patient needs:
- Take a blood test to identify types of allergen and exclude other serious pathologies (helminthic infestations, diabetes mellitus).
- Make an appointment with an ophthalmologist to rule out infectious inflammation that has arisen as an addition to an allergic background.
- Come to an appointment with an otolaryngologist. It is necessary to exclude possible complications in the treatment of eyelid eczema against the background of chronic inflammatory processes in the sinuses.
Don't put off visiting your doctor. Treatment of eyelid eczema requires a serious approach. Early diagnosis will allow you to stop the active process of disease development, which will significantly reduce the number of side effects.
Treatment of eczema on the eyes: a medicinal approach
The chronic form of the disease is characterized by seasonal recurrence. To prevent the onset of another exacerbation, you should definitely undergo a comprehensive examination - this will help determine why eyelid eczema constantly occurs. The cause may be the most unpredictable, but only after identifying it, it is advisable to begin therapy.
Treatment should begin with the use of antihistamines. Antiallergic tablets and drops have an anti-inflammatory effect, reduce the severity of symptoms, in particular, reduce itching. Patients usually have to take such medications for a month. Often drugs are replaced with each other in order to avoid the body’s addiction.
The most effective remedies in the fight against eczema on the eyes and eyelids are:
- Suprastin;
- Tavegil;
- Zyrtec;
- Erius;
- Zodak;
- Lorantadine.
Hormonal medications for eye eczema are usually prescribed in case of serious complications and deterioration of the patient’s general condition. Among glucocorticosteroids, which should never be used without a doctor, the most popular are prednisolone ointment and hydrocortisone ointment.
Stronger foreign-made drugs are:
- Triderm;
- Soderm;
- Dermovate;
- Skin Cap;
- La-Cri;
- Elokom.
Triderm ointment is one of the most powerful foreign-made drugs for the treatment of eczema of the eyes and eyelids
Corticosteroid ointments must be used with caution, since the skin on the eyelids and around the eyes is much thinner than the epidermis on any other part of the face and body. When relieving inflammation and after a course of taking hormonal medications, the doctor usually prescribes safer medications. The principle of using local medications is a delicate, gentle action.
Instead of hormonal drugs, treatment of the disease continues:
- Dermatol;
- Lorinden;
- Sibicort;
- Zinc ointment;
- Dermozolon.
In addition to ointments, other remedies can be used externally for eczema. Boric acid, Burov's liquid and a solution of lead water are used in the form of lotions. Cold black tea is another way to wash out erosions and cool sore skin before applying medications. In addition, folk remedies are an equally relevant way to eliminate the symptoms of a disease such as eczema on the eyelids. Treatment of the disease with an alternative method in combination with traditional medications guarantees rapid relief from symptoms and prevents the disease from becoming chronic.
Diagnosis, symptoms, classification
Before treatment for eyelid eczema begins, it must be diagnosed and examined by a dermatologist. Laboratory data will help identify the cause of the disease:
- Allergen tests.
- Blood test for immunoglobulin.
- A smear for the presence of a parasitic infection.
The final diagnosis is always made by a doctor after a thorough visual examination and examination of test results. Moreover, depending on the causes, the severity of the disease and obvious symptoms on the eyelids, eczema on this area of the face can have the following forms.
Traditional methods and the most effective recipes for eye eczema
The effect on thin and sensitive skin of the eyelids and around the eyes should be gentle. Folk remedies should be used only after consultation with a specialist, because components that are absolutely safe and familiar at first glance can have an unexpected effect on the affected epidermis.
For the treatment of eczema in the eye area, the following recipes are most in demand:
- Potato starch eye mask . For cooking you need 1 tbsp. l. crumbly starch, 1 egg and 1 tbsp. l. milk. Mix the composition until a homogeneous mass is obtained and apply to inflamed eyelids, leaving to act for half an hour.
- Birch juice . The product is excellent for strengthening the body overall and the immune system in particular, as well as launching the regeneration processes of the epidermis. Drink 70 ml of pure undiluted juice in the morning and evening.
Birch sap is recommended to drink for eczema, as it strengthens the immune system and starts the process of epidermal regeneration
- Essential oils are a great way to moisturize the skin on the eyelids and under the eyes. Sea buckthorn and apricot oils are used to treat eczema. In the absence of individual intolerance, the product can be used for 2 weeks. Wipe your eyelids with a cotton sponge soaked in oil, avoiding getting esters into your eyes.
- Cabbage compress . For eczema on the eyes, you can also use a paste of cabbage leaves. Before you start cooking, be sure to pour boiling water over the vegetable. After mashing and crushing the cabbage leaf until you obtain a homogeneous paste, you need to apply the product to the diseased areas on the eyelids.
- Herbal decoctions for regular washing . For preparation you will need chamomile, string and calendula. Taking 1 tbsp. l. each component, mix the dry mixture and pour 500 ml of boiling water. Place on low heat and cook for about 15 minutes. Use the cooled and strained broth for washing in the morning and before bed.
Treatment
If primary signs of eczema occur, only a dermatologist should be treated. However, in order to correctly prescribe therapy, you first need to find out what causes the problem.
The disease does not develop without any preceding factors. So, first you have to get rid of the pathology that provoked this condition. Otherwise, all further drug therapy will be useless.
The following drug therapy methods are used to treat eczema:
- Antihistamines help improve the condition by eliminating intolerable itching;
- Preparations containing corticosteroids, when applied externally, have a regenerating effect and also suppress the effect of allergens. However, the use of these funds is permitted only for a certain period of time. Then the skin can atrophy under the influence of these components. Therefore, hormonal drugs are allowed to be used only as prescribed by a doctor.
- To strengthen the immune system, special vitamin complexes are used;
- Various ointments are used to regenerate the skin, which contain zinc;
- Sedatives should be used in patients who experience neurological impairment due to unpleasant symptoms.
- Special antiseptic solutions are used to disinfect the affected surface.
Advice from dermatologists on nutrition and disease prevention
Eczema of the eye and eyelids is a skin pathology, but doctors often recommend looking for the cause of its occurrence in the diet. The recovery process will come much faster if the patient balances his daily diet. It is important to focus on healthy, harmless food. You should avoid eating an entire group of foods. For example, fatty and salty foods are unacceptable, and it is advisable to constantly abstain from fast food and potential allergens.
In addition, food intake also plays a role. It is advisable to eat fractionally, i.e. eat little and often. Water is an indispensable element of human existence, so the quality of the liquid consumed can also affect his health, expressed by external problems with the skin. You need to drink clean water, compotes and natural juices. Avoid drinking carbonated drinks, coffee and alcohol.
Traditional medicine
Drug therapy involves the patient taking medications:
- Lotions of substances: boric acid (2%), Burov's agent (3-5%), lead water (0.25%), hydrocortisone. Make lotions to eliminate inflammatory processes.
- If eczema is caused by allergies, the doctor prescribes Diphenhydramine, Suprastin, Diazolin, Ketotifen.
- To reduce inflammation on the skin, the dermatologist prescribes ointments or creams containing zinc, bismuth, Sibicort, Dermatol, Lorinden. Apply according to the instructions supplied with them.
- For weeping eczema, dermatologists prescribe medications with corticosteroids: Flucinar, Sinaflan, Sinalar.
The effectiveness of treatment is manifested in the patient in its own way, depending on the body’s response to medications and the causes of the disease. The climate in which a person lives plays an important role in therapy; ultraviolet rays have a detrimental effect on eczema. Some patients are prescribed phototherapy, but there may be contraindications to it.
In addition to taking medications, the doctor prescribes a diet for the patient, which he must adhere to during therapy. Chocolate, berries, baked goods, citrus fruits, vegetables, fruits, which contain many carotenoids, smoked foods, fried, fatty foods, mayonnaise, and alcoholic beverages are removed from the diet.
The patient’s daily menu includes lean meats (rabbit, turkey), cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and teas. Stew and steam dishes. Reduce salt and sugar intake during the period of treatment of the disease.
Causes of the disease and mechanism of development
eczema of the eyelids
Eczema of the eyelids can develop due to reasons related to both internal malfunctions of the body and environmental influences. Internal provoking factors include:
- diseases affecting the digestive, endocrine and nervous systems;
- immune deficiency;
- stress, depression;
- predisposition to the disease due to genes;
External influences include:
- cosmetics that cause allergies, such as mascara or eye shadow;
- long-term use of medications, or their uncontrolled and improper use;
- allergy to pollen of flowering plants;
- tobacco smoke, dust.
Causes of the disease
There are many reasons why allergies start on the eyelids.
Photo: Animal fur is a strong allergen
These include:
- taking hyperallergenic foods and medications;
- imbalance in the immune system;
- infectious diseases in chronic form;
- genetic predisposition;
- use of low-quality cosmetics;
- insect bites;
- physical impact factors (frost, rain, sun, etc.);
- plant pollen;
- dust from books or building materials;
- pet hair.
Vegetable origin
Allergens of plant origin are:
Many people are sure that an allergic reaction on the eyelids can only appear as a result of direct exposure to the allergen on the mucous membranes of the eye, but this is not the case.
Quite often, eyelid allergy symptoms can be observed after eating various hyperallergenic foods and taking medications.
