Eyelid rash is associated with inflammation, redness and pain. The most common reason behind this skin condition is the affected area coming in contact with chemicals in various products. Read on to know all the other causes as well as treatment options…
If you are experiencing an eyelid rash, it is but natural that you would be inconvenienced beyond words. A rash on the eye is often accompanied by redness, swelling, itching, pain and sometimes, problems in sight too. This condition is medically known as eyelid dermatitis. A person having an eyelid rash might find it difficult to do any work which involves reading or writing. That’s why, ascertaining the causes and taking treatment for the same, as soon as possible, is very important.
Causes
The most common cause is the skin around the eye coming in contact with chemicals in cosmetics. Nail polish, eye shadow, eye liner, face cream, hair cream, shampoo, soap, any of these might be the culprit behind eyelid rash. Sometimes, chemicals which are found in household cleaners, insecticides and detergents can lead to this skin condition too.
Exposing the eye to dust, pollution, toxic fumes, dry cold winds and many other environmental factors, can cause eyelid rashes. People who are using a contact lens solution or eye drops, may also experience the same. An allergy caused by taking unsuitable food and medication, can lead to rashes on the eye as well as on other body parts, such as back and chest.
Sometimes, nickel jewelry can cause an allergic reaction on the eyelid, resulting in a rash. It is not even necessary for the nickel to touch the skin on the eye for such a reaction. Belts, earrings, buttons, anything made from nickel can lead to an eyelid rash. Application of antibacterial creams on the skin, such as neomycin as well as wearing latex rubber gloves are some other reasons which can lead to an allergic reaction, causing redness, scales, rash and irritation on the eyelid skin. Lastly, if the rash is accompanied by symptoms such as tiredness, fever, excessive sweating, weight loss and body pain, autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, could be the reason behind it.
Treatment
After the cause has been identified, the next step is to get rid of the cosmetic, jewelry, food item or any other product/thing that could have led to this condition. If any autoimmune disease is behind the rash and swelling, taking treatment for the same will ensure that such a rash does not appear again. A person with an eyelid rash should take care to not touch the eye with his hands or rub it as it can aggravate itching and redness. One effective home remedy is to give cold compresses to the affected area. Keeping cold cucumber slices on the eyes, for a few minutes, can bring down the inflammation and pain too.
As for medication, there are topical creams available, which help in bringing down the inflammation and itching associated with the rash. As the skin area round the eye is very sensitive, it is advised to always consult a doctor, before applying any of such creams, since these can cause side effects such as cataract and glaucoma, in some cases. Then there are topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), such as protopic, which are safer than topical creams and do not cause the side effects associated with topical creams.
Most of the cases of eyelid rash do not require treatment as such. The rash gets cured by itself in a few days time. However, if there is pus inside, when the blister on the eye bursts, the skin area should be cleaned thoroughly. In case the blister becomes large in size, the only option left is to get it surgically removed by a doctor.
As mentioned above, an eyelid rash is an avoidable condition, provided you are careful about it. Also, majority of the times, the condition takes care of itself, with some effective home remedies. However, if pus develops and a blister forms on the eye, it is advised to consult a doctor for proper treatment.