What is it about ?
Abnormalities in the skin of the eyelids can:
- Be localized;
- Be part of a more generalized skin disease;
- Be a symptom of another condition.
Local causes
Having the dry eyes is often the source of the problem. An allergy to cosmetics or eye drops is also possible.
Skin diseases
The most common skin condition isatopic eczema. On the other hand, the psoriasis is rather rare.
Infections (bacterial) can also occur:
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid) ;
- Impetigo ;
- Cellulite (infection of the tissue under the skin);
- Infection of the lacrimal sac (dacryocystitis).
Frequent viral infections are the molluscum and the shingles (herpes zoster).
Other ailments
Swelling of the eyelid can occur as a result of infection or from fluid retention (edema).
How to recognize them?
- In case of’atopic eczema, of psoriasis and D’impetigo, we sometimes notice similar lesions in places other than the face. Take a good look at the rest of the skin. It also happens to notice abnormalities in the nails.
- In case of blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid), you can see scales (skin dandruff) on the edge of the eyelids, between the eyelashes. It is often accompanied by itching.
- The cellulite causes swelling and redness. Without treatment, the lesions get bigger.
- With inflammation of the tear sac, a small lump forms in the inner corner of the eye. A drop of pus comes out when you press on it.
- the shingles starts with pain in or around one eye. Then redness and small cluster blisters appear, which dry out over time and form scabs.
How is the diagnosis made?
Usually, the doctor will make the diagnosis based on the appearance of the lesions. In case of doubt, he will direct you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) to carry out, for example allergic tests. Sometimes the doctor will send a sample of pus to a lab for further testing. Any lesion that looks like a shingles should be examined by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
What can you do ?
To fight against dry eyes, drops (a kind of artificial tears) several times a day can prevent the evaporation of tears (tear fluid).
Do not use cosmetics to which you are allergic. You can apply to the lesions, twice a day, a low dose cortisone cream. Never use a high dose cortisone cream on the face. A cure of 2 weeks to 3 months maximum is often necessary.
In case of blepharitis, apply a moist, warm compress every day for 10 minutes, then thoroughly clean the edge of the eye with a cotton swab.
What can your doctor do?
Treatment depends on the cause.
In case of infections, the doctor prescribes an antibiotic cream and, if necessary, antibiotics in tablets. They will assess whether you need a stronger cortisone cream. Sometimes creams are used that act on immunity. These are, if necessary, combined with treatment against fungi (antimycotic, ointment and possibly tablets). The doctor will prescribe anti-allergic drops in case of allergic inflammation of the eyes.
Want to know more?
- Atopic eczema (image) – DermIS – Dermatology Information System
- Blepharitis (image) – microbiologiemedicale.fr
- Plaque psoriasis (image) – Global Skin Atlas
- (Peri) orbital cellulitis (image) – microbiologiemedicale.fr
- Zoster ophthalmic (image) – DermIS – Dermatology Information System
- Allergological assessment (patch tests or prick tests), here, Where to find on this page of Cliniques St Luc UCL
- The skin allergy test explained to children and in pictures – plaster
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