How to Treat Eczema Around the Eyes

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: June 29, 2024 Approved

Eczema is a catch-all phrase for several skin problems. These include "contact dermatitis," a skin reaction to an allergen or harsh substance, but eczema around the eyes is usually "atopic" dermatitis, meaning the skin reacted without any direct contact. This skin condition most often shows up in babies and children. However, no matter how old you are, you can end up with a flare-up of atopic dermatitis around your eyes, and you need a way to treat it.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Learning About Atopic Dermatitis

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1
Understand the basics. Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that most often appears in childhood. It is related to environmental allergies, hay fever, and asthma, meaning that if you develop one of these conditions, you are more likely to develop the other conditions.
- Atopic dermatitis is an immune response. Typically, an irritant (called the "precipitant" or immediate cause) comes into contact with your body. The body gets confused and overreacts, causing inflammation of the skin even in areas that weren't exposed.
2
Know the symptoms. If you develop acute (short-term) eczema, you may see small, red, itchy bumps on your skin. There might also be some swelling and scaling. If the eczema continues, the symptoms may reach the chronic stage, developing into itchy, thicker patches of skin that turn brownish or reddish.
- In addition, the bumps may weep, meaning they produce liquid. You may also have scaly, dry skin.
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Atopic dermatitis can come and go over time. When the symptoms are worse, it's called a flare-up. However, you can go for long periods when you may exhibit no symptoms.^{[1]
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This condition is not contagious, meaning you can't catch it by coming in contact with someone who has it. However, it can be passed genetically from parent to child.^{[2]
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Be aware how atopic dermatitis can affect your vision. This condition can cause problems with your vision. If you think your vision is being affected by a recent flare-up, always speak with your doctor.
- One way it affects your vision is the skin around your eyes can be red and puffy, making it difficult to see. However, this disease has also been linked to a higher occurrence of cataracts and spontaneous retinal detachment, even when treated.^{[3]
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Part 2

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Treating Eczema Around the Eyes

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1
Use an ice pack or cold compress around your eyes. Application of cold causes temporary numbness of the nerve endings, leading to reduced sensation, soothing the skin, and reducing your urge to itch. It also helps in sloughing off dead skin, leading to a smoother appearance and quicker healing.
- Put cold water in a bowl with some bath oil. If you want it colder, you can add some ice to the water.
- Soak a paper towel or clean washcloth in the water. Hold it on your face over the affected area for about 5 minutes.
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Apply a moisturizer to your face. A cream or ointment is best, as they have more oil than lotions, which are heavier on water. The oil helps protect and moisturize your skin better.^{[4]
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- Pick a cream that is fragrance-free, and make sure to keep it out of your eyes when applying it.
- Apply moisturizers as often as your skin feels dry. Applying it after a shower or washing your face is especially effective. These moisturizers soften skin and help heal and prevent flare-ups.^{[5]
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3
Stay healthy and comfortable. Stress can make your eczema worse, as can exposure to chemical irritants. Because of this, it often helps to use a holistic medicine approach. Aromatherapy, massage, and similar techniques can help reduce stress and potentially bolster your immune system. Many alternative medicine skin preparations are soothing and irritant-free, such as a light layer of unrefined coconut oil.^{[6]
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- If you are currently taking medication for your eczema, consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplements or skin care treatments, including herbal remedies.
- Essential oils are highly concentrated and should not be used undiluted, especially around sensitive areas such as the eyes. Even when diluted, take care not to let any get in your eyes.^{[7]
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Oral antibiotics are sometimes used when you get an infection related to your dermatitis. Because the eye area is more sensitive, your doctor may want to prescribe you an antibiotic if you develop dermatitis around one or both of your eyes.^{[8]
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Part 3

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Controlling Flare-Ups

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1
Avoid known allergens. Eczema is often caused by exposure to an allergen. Avoiding your personal triggers is the number one strategy for controlling flare-ups. If you know you are sensitive to certain substances, do your best to avoid them.
- Remember that the allergen does not need to come into contact with the affected skin. Your body can detect the allergen in one location and react with a flare up in a different place.
2
Keep stress levels at a minimum. Stress can increase flare-ups, so try to keep stress levels down. Learn techniques to keep you or your child more even throughout the day.^{[9]
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- Identify stressors. When your stress levels are running high, think about what's affecting them. Write about what makes you worried or excited, and think about what you can do to reduce the stress of that event. For instance, if you find your job stressful, maybe you can reduce stress by asking your boss if you can telecommute once a week.^{[10]
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- Try conscious breathing to calm yourself. Take a moment to close your eyes. Let your breathing fill up your mind. Focus on slow, deep breaths, and think only about your breathing. Keep focusing until you feel yourself calming down.^{[11]
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- Try animal sounds with your kids to meditate. Have them breathe in deeply while raising their arms. As they lower them, have them make extended sounds such as hissing or buzzing. This exercise helps them slow down their breathing and takes their mind off of what is stressing them out.^{[12]
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3
Don't scratch. Scratching will only make the rash worse. In fact, when eczema appears near the eyes, scratching can cause swelling, as well as make the skin red and puffy.
- Scratching can also cause you to lose part of your eyebrows and eyelashes.
- If you or your child scratches at night, try wearing gloves or trimming your fingernails to help reduce the problem.
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Take an antihistamine. Over-the-counter antihistamines, such as loratadine and fexofenadine, can help control the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Because this disease is related to other types of allergic reactions such as hay fever, antihistamines can provide relief, especially for the itching.^{[13]
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- Follow the directions for the antihistamine you chose. With most non-drowsy antihistamines, you take them once day. Begin a regimen when you have a flare-up.^{[14]
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- However, if you're having trouble sleeping because of your eczema, an antihistamine that caused drowsiness can be helpful to take at night.^{[15]
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5
Identify allergens and irritants. Allergens and irritants can contribute to flare-ups. Sometimes changing a product such as laundry detergent or soap may help in treatment of eczema. Attempt to isolate what causes you issues by slowly switching out products to help determine what bothers you. While you are having a flare-up, it's best to skip make-up altogether.
- It may help to keep a diary recording the food, perfume, scents, and other substances you come into contact with, along with the eczema flare-ups you experience. Look for patterns in the substances you contact in the days before a flare-up.
- You can visit an allergy specialist to help identify your allergies.
- The face and eye area can be especially problematic because so many products are applied in this area, particularly on women. Sunscreen, make-up, soaps, and fragrances can all cause flare-ups.
6
Avoid certain foods. While food allergies have a specific definition (they cause an immediate reaction), foods can contribute to flare-ups. Most common allergens are found in peanuts, egg, milk, fish, rice, soy and wheat.
- If you're breastfeeding a child with eczema, you should avoid tree nuts, as you can pass them to your child.^{[16]
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Pick a soap that is extra moisturizing. When washing your face, choose a soap that has a high fat content, rather than one that dries out your face. Also, pick one that is unscented.
- Skip soaps that are antibacterial, as they can dry out your skin. Also, avoid soaps that have alpha-hydroxy acid, as it can also remove moisture from your skin. Look for cleansers that say "gentle" and "fragrance-free."
Too much hot water and soap can make eczema worse, especially in the delicate skin around the eyes. Lower the temperature of the water and wash less frequently, or take baths without soaking the affected skin.
Hot, dry air can irritate your skin and make itching and flaking worse. If necessary, run a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
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Keep your skin away from sunlight and extreme heat. This goes from anything from hot showers to direct sunlight, to hot climates.
- Use lukewarm water when you shower or wash your face. Avoid hot water, which can irritate your sensitive skin.
- Don't spent too much time in hot weather; the heat can easily irritate your skin and cause more inflammation.

Expert Q&A

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Question

My eczema is right in the corner of my eyes and I worry about the Protopic medication getting in my eyes, as all the literature says to avoid this. How can I apply it safely?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Do your best to keep the medication away from the inside of your eye. Wash your hands, then apply a very small amount in a thin layer over the eczema. Do not bathe, shower, or swim immediately afterward. Studies on the safety and efficacy of long-term use (over a year) of Protopic ointment show no increased risk of infection or cancer or glaucoma.

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Always visit your doctor if you suspect you have eczema, as she is more qualified to diagnose you than you are and she can recommend the proper treatment for your type of skin condition.

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