Diagnosis

The diagnosis of eczema of the eye is usually a diagnosis of the gaze, since the typical reddened and itchy skin area is usually very impressive in the skin area around the eye. Particularly if blistering has already occurred, the suspicion of an advanced eczema of the eye is quickly substantiated. If the typical crack-like processes can be seen in the skin area around the eye, the dry eczema of the eye is on the shortlist of possibilities.

Especially in the case of blistering around the eye, the possibility of herpes zoster should always be considered. This is a dangerous infectious disease in the area of the eye that must be treated quickly. Those affected should be asked by the practitioner whether they have changed a care product or a cosmetic product in the area of the eye, and whether the skin change may have occurred as a result.

The distinction between chronic and acute skin eczema of the eye is the so-called desiccation dermatitis or desiccation eczema. It is characterized by regular cracks in the epidermis. In its appearance it morphologically reminds one of a dried out river bed.

In contrast to the acute and chronic forms of eczema, which occur after contact with various foreign substances, the cause of the desiccation eczema in the area of the eyes is usually caused by too little fluid that can penetrate the skin. Since the skin is an organ with a very high moisture density throughout the entire body, regular hydration is extremely important to maintain the skin’s supply and the corresponding skin condition. If the skin does not receive enough moisture, the aforementioned dehydration eczema often occurs.

In many cases, it is primarily older people who are affected by dehydration dermatitis. This has several causes. Firstly, the skin becomes thinner with age and needs more moisture anyway.

Secondly, the fat layers of the skin and the number of collagen and elastic fibers of the skin become less. In addition to the declining number of sweat glands, older skin is also less supplied with blood than younger skin. All these are factors that make an increased hydration of the skin necessary in old age and which make the occurrence of dehydration dermatitis particularly frequent in old age.

In contrast to eye eczema stimulated by the immune system, dehydration dermatitis does not usually occur in the stages described above. Thus, there is usually no blistering but only severe dehydration, then redness and severe itching.The therapy or treatment depends on the type of eczema and whether it is chronic or acute eczema. Furthermore, it is important to consider in which stage the eczema is.

For example, itchy dry and scaly eczema should be treated differently from weeping eczema. Dry eczema should be treated with moist pads and lotions. Sometimes creams or lotions containing cortisone are used.

With preparations containing cortisone, temporal application is particularly important. In general, preparations containing cortisone should not be used over a longer period of time, as the skin can otherwise be irreparably damaged. This includes above all thinning of the skin, also known as skin atrophy.

If cortisone treatment is too long and too intensive, bleeding may also occur in the skin area. Especially around the eye, no or only very low doses of cortisone-containing creams should be used therapeutically for an extremely short time. There are two reasons for this: on the one hand, cortisone is also absorbed through the skin and reaches the eye itself; on the other hand, the skin around the eye is particularly fine and thin.

It does not tolerate the doses of cortisone like other “more stable” skin sections. The most important rule in the treatment of eczema of the eye is to switch off the triggering substance. Any eczema treatment would come to nothing if the triggering source can continue to act on the skin.

If you are not sure what has caused the eczema, cosmetic and care products should be replaced and changed bit by bit and then you should see if the eczema is already receding. A moisturizing treatment is especially useful for dehydrated eczema but also for all other types of eczema. Envelopes with moist, non-perfumed pads can be placed on the skin around the eye or certain gentle and moisturizing ingredients can be applied to the skin around the eye.

First of all, products containing camomile should be mentioned, which are available in non-perfumed form in the form of an ointment or cream. Black tea is also described as having an anti-inflammatory effect and can be applied in the form of a tea bag in the area of the affected skin around the eye. The application should be repeated accordingly until an improvement of the eye is achieved.

In the case of dry eye eczema, it is particularly important to avoid washing the face or the skin area under the eye too often. When cleaning the areas of skin around the eye, clear water should be used and liquids containing soap should be avoided. Homeopathic remedies and methods can be used for eczema of the eye.

However, a doctor should be consulted immediately if infants or small children are affected, if weeping or purulent pustules form, or if symptoms such as fever occur. The recommended homeopathic remedies differ depending on the stage of the eczema in the eye. Eczema in the facial area can generally also be treated with Antimonium crudum.

However, a visit to the doctor should not be replaced by homeopathy in principle in the case of eczema of the eye, as there may be serious long-term consequences such as blindness.

In the early stages, the skin usually reddens and swells, and even small blisters may appear.
In the further course of the disease it usually comes to a strong itching. If the itching can be relieved by cooling, for example by applying cold compresses, homeopathy recommends taking 5 globules Apis mellifica C15 as often as necessary.
If the itching is unbearable, 5 globules Croton tiglium C15 should rather be taken and if the itching is aggravated by scratching, 5 globules Urtica urens C5 should be used. The 5 globules should be taken a maximum of four times a day.

The following Schüssler salts are most frequently used for eczema of the eye: The salts are applied 3-6 times a day, 1-3 tablets each, which should slowly melt in the mouth, and or as ointments, which are applied and massaged directly onto the eczema several times a day.

No.
2 (Calcium phosphoricum)
No. 6 (Potassium sulfuricum)
No. 12 (Calcium sulfuricum)
No.
13 (Potassium arsenicosum)
No. 16 (Lithium chloratum)
No. 17 (Manganum sulfuricum)
No.
20 (Potassium aluminium sulfuricum)
No. 22 (Calcium carbonicum),
No. 23 (Sodium bicarbonicum)
No.
24 (Arsenum iodatum).

One of the common household remedies for eczema – also on the eyes/eyelids – is the use of creams or ointments containing aloe vera, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. In the same way, creams, ointments and lotions containing calendula extract can also be used, which relieves irritation and can be pain-relieving. Chamomile compresses can also be applied to the skin areas affected by the eczema, as they can also have a calming and anti-inflammatory effect.

The use of coconut oil or almond oil can also be tried. Furthermore, envelopes or tea bags with unscented black tea can be placed on the eyelids, whereby the tanning agents contained in them cause the pores of the skin to close and form a protective layer with the proteins of the skin bandages. Less moisture is lost and the itching and inflammation can subside and the eczema symptoms decrease. Further general information on this topic: All topics published so far in the field of dermatology can be found under Dermatology A-Z.

Skin rash
Skin changes
Skin itches
Skin scales
Neurodermatitis
Eyelid inflammation
Atopic Dermatitis
Hand eczema
Eczema eyelid
Eczema on the face
Eczema in the genital area
Eczema on the foot
Eczema between the toes
Eczema Hand
Eczema on finger
Eczema corner of the mouth
Eczema in the ear
Eczema auditory canal
Eczema scalp
Eczema hollow of the knee
Eczema Acorn
Eczema on the Po
Eczema Baby
Eczema skin

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