Dry skin around the eyes can be itchy, red, sore, and very painful. This can also cause dark circles under the eye or around the eyes. Worse situations may be accompanied by irritating painful scaly skin around the eyes that cause swelling. Below is how to get rid of dry irritated skin around the eyes and what do at home to ease the pain and heal it fast.
Individuals with severely dry skin around the eyes are most likely to have other underlying conditions that may include diabetes. The thin skin around the eyes may be prone to becoming scaly and dry even under the slightest exposure to dry or hot weather conditions. See a dermatologist and avoid using over the counter medication if you have thin sensitive skin around the eyes.
Several factors ranging from dehydration to allergies and even weather may cause skin irritation. It is always advisable to learn the sensitivity of your skin. When you are exposed to any chemicals or conditions that cause any changes, seek an alternative to avoid further irritation.
Eczema Around Eyes
Atopic dermatitis is a known chronic disease that normally affects the skin. It is not as much contagious; it may, however, not be able to be passed from one individual to another.
- The word “dermatitis” implies inflammation that affects the skin. “Atopic” on the other hand, refers to a single group of diseases in which there is a tendency which is inherited so as to develop all other available allergic conditions, like asthma as well as the hay fever.
In the dry skin around eyes, the skin becomes very much itchy. Scratching causes the redness, swelling as well as cracking, producing a clear fluid, and then, crusting as well as also scaling.
- In most of these cases, there are certain periods of time when the infection is much worse (known as the exacerbations or even the flares) which is normally followed by times when the skin tries to improve or clear up entirely (known as the remissions).
As some other children who have experienced dry skin around their eyes grow much older, their skin disease also improves or even disappears altogether, although their skin normally remains very dry and very much irritated. In others, atopic dermatitis has continued to be a major problem even through adulthood.
- Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema, which is usually a general term that is applied for the many types of inflammation that affects the skin. Dry skin around eyes is usually the commonest of the several types of eczema. Several experience similar symptoms.
The reason behind the development of atopic dermatitis is not established, but the disease normally seems to be caused by a combination of genetic as well as environmental factors.
- Children are likely to develop the disorder if the parent has experienced it or another atopic disease such as asthma or even hay fever. If both of the parents have experienced dry skin around the eyes, then the likelihood also increases.
Although some other people outgrow the skin symptoms, most of the children who experience atopic dermatitis also have a tendency to develop hay fever or even asthma.
Although some other people outgrow the skin symptoms, most of the children who experience atopic dermatitis also have a tendency to develop hay fever or even asthma.
- Environmental factors can also bring on the symptoms that are associated with atopic dermatitis at any other time among the affected individuals.
- Atopic dermatitis is also brought about the malfunction of the body’s immune system which is the system that recognizes and assists to fight the bacteria as well as the viruses that usually invade the body.
- The immune system can also become very much misguided as well as also create inflammation in the skin, even when there is no major infection. This can be observed as a form of the body’s autoimmunity, where the body will react against its own tissues.
- In the past, the doctors indicated that the dry skin around eyes was brought about by an emotional disorder. It is now understood that emotional factors, like stress, may make the condition to be worse, but they do not lead to the disease.
Atopic dermatitis can much affect the skin which is around the eyes, the eyebrows, and lashes. Scratching and also rubbing of the affected eye area might lead to the skin to change its appearance.
- Some other people who have experienced atopic dermatitis normally develop another fold of skin that is under their eyes, known as the atopic pleat.
Other people can experience hyperpigmented eyelids, implying that the skin that is on the eyelids normally darkens emanating from the inflammation or even the hay fever. Patchy eyebrows as well as the eyelashes may also be caused by scratching or even the rubbing.
- The face is commonly affected amongst the babies, who can also drool excessively, and thus become much irritated from the skin contact with their large amount of saliva.
The skin of a person who is experiencing atopic dermatitis normally loses a large amount of moisture, especially from the epidermal layer. Some of the patients who have atopic dermatitis usually lack a protein known as the filaggrin which is vital in retaining the moisture.
This defective genetic trait is also able to allow the skin to be very much dry, which consequently leads to a reduction of protective abilities. Also, the skin is susceptible to a lot of infectious disorders, like the staphylococcal and also streptococcal bacterial infections, herpes simplex, and molluscum contagiosum (which is normally brought about by a virus).
Skin features of the dry skin around eyes:
- Lichenification: thick, leathery skin that is brought about by constant scratching as well as rubbing
- Lichen simplex: refers to a thickened patch of a raised skin which results from repeated rubbing as well as the scratching of the same affected skin spot.
- Papules: which are the small, raised bumps that can open when scratched, becoming crusty and also infected
- Keratosis pilaris: small, generally on the face, the upper arms, as well as the thighs. These are also said to be gooseflesh or even the chicken skin and can have very small coiled hair that is under each of the bumps.
- Hyper-linear palms: This is the increased number of skin creases that are on the palms
- Urticaria: hives (raised bumps), normally after the exposure to an allergen, at the start of flares, or even the period after exercise or even a hot bath
- Cheilitis: inflammation of the skin on and also around the sides of the lips
- Atopic pleat: Morgan an extra fold of skin that usually develops under an eye
- Dark circles under the eyes: may be brought about by the allergies and also the atopy
- Hyperpigmented eyelids: scaling eyelids that are darker in color due to the inflammation or even the hay fever.
Causes of Dry Skin Around The Eyes
Below are factors that may leave both adults and children with severely dry skin around the eyes. Individuals who are treating skin conditions should also keep away from these factors in order to help them in fast healing.
1. Allergies
Environmental allergies can cause the development of dry skin around the eyes. Cosmetics, detergents as well as other products can cause an allergic reaction which may lead to eczema.
2. Dehydration
Flaky skin is a skin condition that leads to an affected part of the body to become dry and appearing much dehydrated, which cause the skin to appear flaky and scaly. When this occurs, then the part of the skin that is affected tends to be much itchy and experience irritation when especially if it happens in sensitive areas such as the eye part.
- Flaky around the eye part can be challenging to deal with due to the fact of the sensitivity of the area, there is no much that you can do so as to assist the situation, except keeping the area to be much moisturized the whole period time. This can imply holding off on the makeup.
- Flaky skin may actually be an indication of a different serious condition in the body altogether.
When a person experiences a flaky skin, more especially in the sensitive parts like the skin around the eyes and it persists for longer periods of time, the best thing to be done is to go to the dermatologist and have the skin assessed clearly.
3. Diabetes
Diabetes is able to affect every other part of the body, including the skin. In fact, such other problems are at times the first indications that a person is experiencing diabetes. Luckily, many such skin conditions can be able to be prevented or even can easily be treated if caught early.
- Some of the problems are the dry skin around the eyes anyone is able to experience, but people who have diabetes get them more easily.
These include bacterial infections as well as itching. Other skin problems occur mostly or only to the people who have diabetes.
These include the diabetic dermopathy, diabetic blisters, and also the eruptive xanthomatosis.
4. After Botox
Botox itself cannot lead to the dry eyes, but if it placed very much close to the muscle that is used to support the lower eyelid, it can also lead to the lid to droop slightly, which can lead to the dry skin around eyes.
This can also give an explanation of why the drops are not functioning. If the lid is largely drooping, it cannot support the drops in the manner that it is supposed to.
5. Diet
Eat enough amount of antioxidant-rich food such as broccoli, almonds, and also the walnuts. Take vitamin supplements and also the cold-water fish such as the salmon since it is rich in the amount of omega 3 fatty acids.
Increase the intake of vitamins such as vitamin E and K in the diet. All these are the best food for the dry skin and will also keep away wrinkles and keep your skin naturally moistened.
6. Weather
Dry skin that is around eyes can also be because of the climate, with both the humid as well as the hot weather being the major culprits. In addition to all this, any extreme type of weather condition or even the sudden changes are able to aggravate the skin’s dryness, making it much worse.
7. Swimming
Swimming normally provides a perfect, low-impact form of exercise, but also an allergic reaction or even the other eye condition can lead to the redness that is around the eye after a swimming session.
- Additional signs may happen, including dry skin around the eyes or discomfort that is occurring on the surface of the eye. Knowing possible causes for the skin redness, and also all other symptoms will assist to discuss the condition with the doctor.
- Chemicals like the chlorine that are used in swimming pools can lead to dry skin around the eyes.
If this happens you can experience the redness or even the other signs of irritation that are on other areas of the skin also. Since chlorine takes a longer period of time so as to dissipate when added to the pool, then you should make sure that you’re waiting until the chlorine levels out to about3.0 ppm or even less.
- The water that is found in the swimming pools requires to have a perfect pH level which is the acidity level of the solution. If such a level is very high or extremely low, then you have an increased risk for the skin as well as eye irritation.
Keep the pH level of the swimming pool water in line with its own pH level which is between 7.2 to about 7.8, to minimize the chances of eye irritation.
8. Glasses
People who put on glasses or even sunglasses most of the time are able to develop eye eczema symptoms because of the contact irritation brought about by the phalates that are in the plastic of the glasses rims or even from the metal that is found in glasses rims.
People who put on the contact lenses on the other hand area also able to develop eye eczema symptoms because of the lens solution that runs around the eyes when putting in the contact lenses.
9. Menopause
The reduction of the estrogen, as well as the changing ratios of the hormones that are in the body, don’t only slow down the body’s oil production, but they also minimize the body’s ability so as to retain the moisture.
The changes that occur to the skin may start during the perimenopause, and they’re very much permanent. Fortunately, easing the itch and also combating the dry skin that is associated with menopause is in the hands.
Home Remedies for Dry skin Around Eyes
If you have a gel eye mask or under eye patches at home, placing them under your eyes for about 30 minutes will moisturize your skin and give you a fresh feeling. However, hope isn’t los if you don’t have a gel mask handy. Home remedies may help with the swelling and reduce the redness of the dry skin around the eyes. Itching and irritation may also clear with proper care. However, note that if these symptoms persist after several weeks of using home remedies, seek medical advice. Below how to take care of dry skin around eyes and eyelids at home
1. Cucumber juice:
Use cucumber juice with the assistance of a clean cotton ball. Let it stay for a period of about 10 minutes. Wash it off using warm water and then pat dry. Follow up using a moisturizer.
2. Honey:
Use honey around the eyes, keep it on for a period of 15 minutes, and then wash it off using warm water. Keep also in mind that the honey can be very much sticky, so do not try to rub or even tug very harsh. The delicate dry skin around the eyes requires to be treated very well.
3. Olive oil:
Apply the olive oil to the affected dry spot and leave it to stay overnight. Olive oil is a perfect repairing agent. Olive oil is also indicated to be a good anti-aging agent and assists in handling the fine lines.
4. Teabag:
Dip a green tea bag inside the cold water and let it rest on the eyes for about 15 minutes. This will prevent the formation of any wrinkles and boosts the generation of very new cells around the eyes. Green tea is a very wonderful repairing agent also.
5. Raw milk:
Apply the use of raw milk to the dry skin around the eyes and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Wash off using normal water.
6. Water:
Drink a large amount of water. Water hydrates the skin and also balances the moisture content of the skin. This will also improve your skin condition under dry and hot weather conditions.
7. Avoid sun:
Exposure to the sun can also cause dry skin around the eyes, so ensure to apply sunscreen to the skin around the eyes. Try to use a natural and safe sunscreen. If needed, take advice from the dermatologist on a sunscreen that is very safe to use especially under the eyes.
8. Rosewater:
Use natural rose water on dry skin around the eyes. Rosewater is able to hydrates the skin and assists in the prevention of the puffy dry eyes. Rosewater also performs as a nice coolant. It is a good toner and assists to reduce the pore size.
9. Milk, egg, and honey:
Milk, egg yolk, as well as the honey mixed together, can be used around the eyes to remove the dryness.
10. Glycerin:
Use glycerin dry skin around the eyes. Glycerin is usually prescribed by many dermatologists to be applied as a moisturizer
11. Moisturizer:
Use a good moisturizer so as to maintain the hydration level on dry skin around the eyes. Consult the dermatologist for a good under eye gel or lotion and a heavy one for applying at night.
12. Sunglasses:
Always wear sunglasses when you go out to the sunlight.
13. Minimize makeup:
Try to avoid the use of any cosmetic item around the eyes until and unless it is very necessary. Always check for ingredients to make sure that you aren’t allergic to any. Also, use a makeup remover that is good to get rid of the makeup. It creates problems on the skin and is an invitation to the dry skin around the eyes also.
14. Sleep habits:
Sleeping for a longer period also assists and provides time to the body to repair the dryness. Try and obtain at least six hours of sleep each and every night. Invest in the silk pillowcases as they don’t usually create any friction when you putting the face on them. The use of silk cases is indicated in the prevention of fine lines and also frizzy hair.
Treatment of Dry Skin Around Eyes
Atopic dermatitis is usually diagnosed much based on the physical examination as well as the visual inspection of the skin by a dermatologist. Also, the history that is provided to the doctor and contributory family history also assist in support of the diagnosis.
- A doctor may ask about any history of similar rashes as well as any other medical conditions, including hay fever and asthma. This will also include past experience with any akin condition that causes dry skin under eyes or dry skin around eyes
A skin biopsy is rarely helpful in establishing the diagnosis. Most of the patients who have the very severe atopic disease can experience elevated numbers of some type of white blood cells or elevated serum IgE levels.
- These particular tests are able to support the diagnosis of the dry skin around the eyes. Additionally, skin swab samples can be sent to the lab so as to exclude the presence of the staphylococcal infections of the skin which can complicate the eyes condition.
Skin scratch and blood tests for the airborne allergens are not important in diagnosing atopic dermatitis. Positive skin prick test results are very difficult to interpret especially amongst the people who have atopic dermatitis and are normally inaccurate.
- The skin that is around the eyes is more sensitive than the skin that is around all other parts of the body. Simply use of the lotions or even the moisturizers are considered much unsafe, and not normally recommended by most of the dermatologists. Companies make very specific types of gels and creams for the dry skin around the eyes.
Using these types of lubricants can assist in achieving the moisturized skin that an individual is looking for on the eyelids.
- Another perfect treatment option that is present is to wash with baby shampoo and then wipe the affected part very clean. Talk with the doctor, possibly the one that is referred by the eye care professional.
Another method is to avoiding indicated allergens. Discontinue the use of make-up until the condition completely heals. Try not to touch the dirty surfaces using hands. Unfortunately, most of the people naturally touch the face and also the eyes without much thinking about it. Below is a video on a skincare routine that you may practice at home.