Eye eczema

[Sally]

My eye eczema starts to really play up this time of year – do eye drops help at all with reducing the irritation and thus, the skin around my eyes?

[Thivimaru]

Hi Sally,
Thank you for your question. From my experience I usually don't recommend eye drops unless you have dry eyes as well - in which case this would be best to check with your optician. Eye drops can contain preservatives which can irritate eyelid eczema

A gentle cleansing and moisturiser for the eyelid area is the best approach with careful use of topical steroids for flare ups if necessary.

Sometimes eyelid eczema can be caused by an allergy to facial skin care product, make up or nail varnish so this is just worth bearing in mind

Best wishes

Dr Thivi

Dr Thivi Maruthappu MA FRCP PhD
Consultant Dermatologist