Causes of the rash on the eyelid

The causes of eyelid rashes are numerous. First of all, there are pathogen-related skin infections, which are mainly caused by viruses or bacteria. Viruses or bacteria can be found in the ambient air or be transmitted by other people in the form of droplets.Since the eyelid is located on the front of the face, it is exposed to environmental germs and stress every day.

A frequent transmission route is your own hand rubbing your eye. Especially after contact with irritating or infectious materials, for example handkerchiefs, public toilets, door handles, rubbing the eyes should be avoided. An equally common cause of a rash on the eyelid is allergic reactions.

The human skin reacts to many environmental substances such as pollen (rash caused by pollen) or irritating chemicals with allergic rashes. The eye is not infrequently affected, as mascara, make-up and similar products used on the face often cause skin irritation. Likewise, rubbing the eye can lead a potential allergen from the hand to the eyelid.

Make-up and care products should therefore always be removed thoroughly in the evening if possible. In very rare cases, chronic skin diseases or diseases of the liver can lead to skin rashes on the eyelid. Diseases of the kidney or thyroid gland can also lead to these symptoms. However, these diseases usually cause some additional symptoms.

Diagnostics for eyelid rash

The diagnosis can be made quickly by a family doctor or dermatologist. The interview (anamnesis) with an assessment of the rash provides clear indications. In particular, the medical history can identify allergens or possible skin diseases as the cause of the rash on the eyelid.

Unilateral rashes are typical for pathogen-related infections of the skin of the eyelid. For certain infectious diseases, a smear of the skin can also provide information about the exact pathogen. Allergic reactions rarely affect only a single eyelid.

Treatment of eyelid rash

The treatment must be based on the cause of the rash on the eyelid and thus be individualized. If the rash is very serious, painful or extensive, a doctor should be consulted. A possible inflammation can spread to the eye and lead to unwanted complications.

In case of frequent allergic reactions, the trigger of the rash must be determined. These can be typical allergy triggers such as pollen or grasses, but also cosmetic products or irritating creams. Changing or omitting this product is unavoidable.

Until the rash is healed, the eyelid and surrounding skin areas should be spared from unnecessary irritation caused by other cosmetic products. However, there are also many herbal household remedies for rashes which inhibit itching and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Under certain circumstances, a therapy with skin creams can be used in consultation with the doctor.

It is important to maintain basic hygiene and a clean eyelid, which is cleaned daily with water and without soap. Afterwards, hygiene creams or creams containing cortisone, but also antibiotic ointments can be used, depending on the cause of the rash on the eyelid. A cream containing cortisone is directed against allergic reactions of the skin by containing immune reactions.