Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentOther ConditionsWhen to See an Eye Doctor

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

Other Conditions

When to See an Eye Doctor

Eczemais a group of inflammatory conditions that cause dry, itchy, scaly patches of skin. People with eczema on the face may experience symptoms on the eyelids, which are sometimes referred to as “eczema eyes.”

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A person in the process of rubbing their eyes on a sofa

Allergic Contact Dermatitis (Allergic Eczema)

The most common cause of eczema on the eyes isallergic contact dermatitis(or allergic eczema.)It occurs when a chemical, food, or allergen triggers a reaction.

Atopic Dermatitis (Atopic Eczema)

Common triggers for flares include weather extremes, exposure to tobacco smoke, and some air pollutants. Research suggests that emotional stress can also cause flare-ups of atopic dermatitis (including symptoms around the eyes).

BlepharitisBlepharitis—an eye condition that causes inflammation of the eyelid skin—may be mistaken for eczema. It can make eyelids swollen, red, irritated, and itchy; it may also cause dandruff-like flakes in the eyelashes.Blepharitis can affect anyone, including people who do not have eczema.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis—an eye condition that causes inflammation of the eyelid skin—may be mistaken for eczema. It can make eyelids swollen, red, irritated, and itchy; it may also cause dandruff-like flakes in the eyelashes.Blepharitis can affect anyone, including people who do not have eczema.

Treatments for eczemaon the eyes, no matter the cause, include:

Babies and Eyelid Eczema

Associated Eye Conditions

Having eczema around the eyes increases a person’s risk for some eye conditions, including:

People living with eczema should regularly see anophthalmologistfor an exam since early intervention is key to preventing vision loss from conditions like keratitis and keratoconus.

See your eye doctor as soon as possible if you have an eye infection lasting more than a few days and/or experience any of the following symptoms:

Summary

Eczema can flare up on the face, including the skin around the eyes. This may cause redness and inflammation, as well as itchiness and irritation.

A healthcare provider can recommend treatments—including prescription creams—to help manage eye-related symptoms of eczema. This skin condition also increases a person’s risk for eye diseases and infections, so it’s important to regularly see an ophthalmologist.

18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Foundation.Eczema around the eyes.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Adults with eczema should watch for eye problems.Eczema Foundation.Eczema on the eyes.Huang CX, Yiannias JA, Killian JM, Shen JF.Seven Common Allergen Groups Causing Eyelid Dermatitis: Education and Avoidance Strategies. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021.Pietruszyńska M, Zawadzka-Krajewska A, Duda P, Rogowska M, Grabska-Liberek I, Kulus M.Ophthalmic manifestations of atopic dermatitis. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology. 2020.K. Zeiser, G. Hammel, I. Kirchberger, C. Traidl-Hoffmann.Social and psychosocial effects on atopic eczema symptom severity. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2020.National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.National Eczema Society.Eczema around the eyes.American Academy of Dermatology.5 Ways to Use Petroleum Jelly for Skin Care.Kramer, MichalTomkins-Netzer, Oren et al.Cataract Risk and Topical Corticosteroids among Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Related Uveitis. Ophthalmology. 2020.Risa Tamagawa-Mineoka, Naoko Yasuoka, Mayumi Ueta, Norito Katoh.Influence of topical steroids on intraocular pressure in patients with atopic dermatitis. Allergology International. 2018.National Eczema Association.Prescription Topicals.National Eczema Society.Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs).National Eczema Association.Understanding Eczema in Children.Shi, Vivian Y. et al.Practical management of ocular surface disease in patients with atopic dermatitis, with a focus on conjunctivitis: A review. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023.National Library of Medicine.Keratitis.National Keratoconus Foundation.Understanding KC.National Keratoconous Foundation.Keratoconus Symptoms.

18 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Foundation.Eczema around the eyes.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Adults with eczema should watch for eye problems.Eczema Foundation.Eczema on the eyes.Huang CX, Yiannias JA, Killian JM, Shen JF.Seven Common Allergen Groups Causing Eyelid Dermatitis: Education and Avoidance Strategies. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021.Pietruszyńska M, Zawadzka-Krajewska A, Duda P, Rogowska M, Grabska-Liberek I, Kulus M.Ophthalmic manifestations of atopic dermatitis. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology. 2020.K. Zeiser, G. Hammel, I. Kirchberger, C. Traidl-Hoffmann.Social and psychosocial effects on atopic eczema symptom severity. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2020.National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.National Eczema Society.Eczema around the eyes.American Academy of Dermatology.5 Ways to Use Petroleum Jelly for Skin Care.Kramer, MichalTomkins-Netzer, Oren et al.Cataract Risk and Topical Corticosteroids among Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Related Uveitis. Ophthalmology. 2020.Risa Tamagawa-Mineoka, Naoko Yasuoka, Mayumi Ueta, Norito Katoh.Influence of topical steroids on intraocular pressure in patients with atopic dermatitis. Allergology International. 2018.National Eczema Association.Prescription Topicals.National Eczema Society.Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs).National Eczema Association.Understanding Eczema in Children.Shi, Vivian Y. et al.Practical management of ocular surface disease in patients with atopic dermatitis, with a focus on conjunctivitis: A review. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023.National Library of Medicine.Keratitis.National Keratoconus Foundation.Understanding KC.National Keratoconous Foundation.Keratoconus Symptoms.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Eczema Foundation.Eczema around the eyes.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Adults with eczema should watch for eye problems.Eczema Foundation.Eczema on the eyes.Huang CX, Yiannias JA, Killian JM, Shen JF.Seven Common Allergen Groups Causing Eyelid Dermatitis: Education and Avoidance Strategies. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021.Pietruszyńska M, Zawadzka-Krajewska A, Duda P, Rogowska M, Grabska-Liberek I, Kulus M.Ophthalmic manifestations of atopic dermatitis. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology. 2020.K. Zeiser, G. Hammel, I. Kirchberger, C. Traidl-Hoffmann.Social and psychosocial effects on atopic eczema symptom severity. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2020.National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.National Eczema Society.Eczema around the eyes.American Academy of Dermatology.5 Ways to Use Petroleum Jelly for Skin Care.Kramer, MichalTomkins-Netzer, Oren et al.Cataract Risk and Topical Corticosteroids among Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Related Uveitis. Ophthalmology. 2020.Risa Tamagawa-Mineoka, Naoko Yasuoka, Mayumi Ueta, Norito Katoh.Influence of topical steroids on intraocular pressure in patients with atopic dermatitis. Allergology International. 2018.National Eczema Association.Prescription Topicals.National Eczema Society.Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs).National Eczema Association.Understanding Eczema in Children.Shi, Vivian Y. et al.Practical management of ocular surface disease in patients with atopic dermatitis, with a focus on conjunctivitis: A review. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023.National Library of Medicine.Keratitis.National Keratoconus Foundation.Understanding KC.National Keratoconous Foundation.Keratoconus Symptoms.

National Eczema Foundation.Eczema around the eyes.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Adults with eczema should watch for eye problems.

Eczema Foundation.Eczema on the eyes.

Huang CX, Yiannias JA, Killian JM, Shen JF.Seven Common Allergen Groups Causing Eyelid Dermatitis: Education and Avoidance Strategies. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021.

Pietruszyńska M, Zawadzka-Krajewska A, Duda P, Rogowska M, Grabska-Liberek I, Kulus M.Ophthalmic manifestations of atopic dermatitis. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology. 2020.

K. Zeiser, G. Hammel, I. Kirchberger, C. Traidl-Hoffmann.Social and psychosocial effects on atopic eczema symptom severity. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2020.

National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.

National Eczema Society.Eczema around the eyes.

American Academy of Dermatology.5 Ways to Use Petroleum Jelly for Skin Care.

Risa Tamagawa-Mineoka, Naoko Yasuoka, Mayumi Ueta, Norito Katoh.

Influence of topical steroids on intraocular pressure in patients with atopic dermatitis. Allergology International. 2018.

National Eczema Association.Prescription Topicals.

National Eczema Society.Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs).

National Eczema Association.Understanding Eczema in Children.

National Library of Medicine.Keratitis.

National Keratoconus Foundation.Understanding KC.

National Keratoconous Foundation.Keratoconus Symptoms.

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