Human skin is remarkably fragile and can fall victim to several conditions that damage its appearance and integrity. Some conditions are more widespread than others and can affect body parts beyond what we might expect. That is why so many people take extreme care of their skin by subscribing to skincare routines. When executed properly, these routines produce benefits that protect our skin from damage that changes our looks or reduces our health.

Fortunately, most common skin conditions plaguing humanity have well-established treatment plans. This gives us the power to care for our skin and possibly reverse otherwise chronic issues. Unfortunately, some chronic issues have a nasty habit of transforming into something more complicated, making them more problematic than they should be. One of the most common skin conditions has become more complicated than it used to be by spreading to new areas of the body.

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions people face and is one of the least comfortable. Some eczema cases are more severe than others but usually manageable. Unfortunately, the worst part of eczema is how far it can spread, often to body parts that are extremely sensitive and can make the condition more painful. 

One of the most painful examples of eczema is when it spreads to the eyelids, one of the few body parts constantly moving. As a result, eyelid eczema can be brutal on our health and quality of life, and the location of the eyelids can make treatment difficult. This means learning how to treat eyelid eczema is essential if you have the condition.

What is Eyelid Eczema?

Eczema is a type of dermatitis known for making human skin dry and itchy, usually altering the texture to be rougher than normal. Eczema is usually located in specific areas of the body, generally the more accessible regions like the arms and chest. It also manifests on the face, generally around the cheeks. Unfortunately, eczema has been known to appear on the eyelids, too. 

Eyelid dermatitis is a type of contact dermatitis, meaning it is not genetic but occurs when the skin is exposed to certain irritants or allergens. Fortunately, this means that most cases are temporary and fade when the irritant or allergen is purged from the body and you are no longer exposed. Unfortunately, the symptoms of eyelid eczema are no less painful or frustrating than the condition it was named for.

Eyelid dermatitis is extremely common despite affecting a sensitive body part. Statistics suggest that 20% of people experience dermatitis in their lives, though the exact number of that demographic that suffers from eyelid dermatitis is unknown. Nevertheless, there is likely a large number of people who experience eyelid dermatitis, making it a pressing issue. Some people are at a higher risk of the condition based on their physical condition and certain genetic factors. Individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria are at a higher risk of experiencing eyelid dermatitis:

These conditions make it easier for allergens and irritants to enter the body, including the eyelids, and cause the symptoms of eyelid dermatitis.

Eyelid Eczema

Depending on what causes the irritation, you will either have:

According to research, 80% of eyelid dermatitis is caused by irritant contact dermatitis, which is more likely to affect large populations. This is worsened by the fact that the number of potential irritants is extremely large, with substances like soap, chemicals, and even dust being potential causes. However, one of the most common irritants is makeup, frequently applied to individuals who want to improve their appearance. 

The makeup irritates the skin (depending on the ingredients), and the removal process can further irritate the skin and cause dermatitis injuries. By now, you are probably wondering what symptoms are associated with eyelid dermatitis that makes it so frustrating. The most common symptoms include:

These symptoms vary in severity but are all extremely irritating and unpleasant. As a result of the unpleasant sensations associated with eyelid dermatitis, most people are eager to avoid the condition altogether. Fortunately, it is possible to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of eyelid dermatitis.

Preventing Eyelid Eczema

While prevention is exactly the same as stopping an existing case, it is still essential to stop the condition from spreading. Unfortunately, preventing eyelid dermatitis is somewhat difficult since you need to know the trigger. It is possible to use blanket methods to prevent eyelid dermatitis, but it can adversely affect your quality of life since this tactic requires you to avoid virtually everything. 

If you know the exact substances you are allergic to, you can prevent allergic contact dermatitis by avoiding those substances. The trick is preventing irritant contact dermatitis since there are several sources, and everyone's body reacts differently. Considering the risk factors associated with the condition, some people are more likely to experience irritation than others. Despite this, certain universal factors can be avoided to reduce the risk of eyelid dermatitis. Some of the most common causes of irritation to the skin come from poor hygiene, with the most commonly used appendage we have.

Believe it or not, failing to wash our hands can be one of the biggest causes of eyelid dermatitis. Our hands are constantly exposed to elements, and we frequently touch things that might have contaminants or microbes on them. These contaminants are transferred to our hands once we come into contact with them, which transfer to our eyelids should we touch them before washing our hands.

This can cause severe irritation and induce eyelid dermatitis as a consequence, meaning one of the main preventative measures is thoroughly washing your hands before touching your eyelids. People touch their eyelids because of itching or general irritation that we rub and scratch to alleviate. Unfortunately, this is also a major cause of eyelid dermatitis and should be avoided to minimize the risk of eyelid dermatitis.

Woman Rubbing Her Eyes

Another major cause is exposure to extreme temperatures like heavy winds or cold. The same applies to environments with large amounts of dust that might get into our eyes. Avoiding these environmental factors can be difficult and might not always be an option for you, but it is still possible to protect yourself. Namely, you should wear protective eyewear if you plan on spending an extended period in environments like this. Finally, you should opt to use soaps and other products designed for sensitive skin to avoid irritating the skin of your eyelids.

Preventing eyelid dermatitis can be difficult and requires significant caution if you are going to succeed. Despite this, prevention is not always an option; you might experience the condition regardless. It could happen because of an environmental change you were not aware of or because you absentmindedly rubbed your eyes to remove an irritant. Either way, you might have to deal with the symptoms of eyelid dermatitis. Fortunately, there are tools you can use to reduce the symptoms and make the condition manageable until it fades completely.

Apply Aloe vera to the Skin

Aloe vera is potentially one of Earth's most recognizable skincare products, primarily because it is the go-to substance for people dealing with sunburns. Aloe vera is frequently sold in various forms to treat the effects of sunburns and make the pain less intense. Unfortunately, Aloe vera is often considered a one-trick pony in most circles since the average person does not consider other applications. 

Despite being its most famous benefit, Aloe vera is good for more than just treating sunburns and can provide many skincare benefits. Aloe vera is a highly effective hydration tool since the gel's composition is remarkably similar to water, but the most intriguing detail is that Aloe vera has qualities that make it a viable tool for treating dermatitis. 

One of the main causes of eczema is exposure to certain microbes that contaminate and irritate the skin. These microbes are why washing your hands before touching your eyelids is so important since you never know what bacteria might hitch a ride. This is where one of Aloe vera's less referenced abilities becomes an important factor. 

Aloe vera is a natural antibacterial and antimicrobial compound, meaning it eliminates bacteria and other microbes. In a sense, Aloe vera cleanses the skin as it treats the wounds, allowing you to remove the source of your condition. While Aloe vera is not as powerful as commercial soaps and hand sanitizers, it is nowhere near as harsh, so it will not cause more irritation than it fixes. 

This property can be used to treat eyelid dermatitis by removing any microbes that might irritate the skin around your eyes. Fortunately, Aloe vera is not limited to removing the microbes that caused the irritation and can also be highly effective at reducing the symptoms.

An Aloe Vera Gel

Another of Aloe vera's major properties is that it is an anti-inflammatory, meaning it reduces irritation and swelling caused by injuries. Eyelid dermatitis is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and irritation on the skin of the eyelids. Aloe vera's anti-inflammatory properties are what make it a valuable resource against sunburns (since they are inflammatory injuries caused by UV radiation). 

These same properties mean Aloe vera can reduce the symptoms caused by eyelid dermatitis and render the condition significantly less painful. Ultimately, Aloe vera can be one of the best tools against eyelid dermatitis thanks to its qualities and the fact that it is safe for sensitive skin.

The biggest problem is applying it in a way that will not endanger your health, especially if you have certain contaminants that need to be wiped away. Fortunately, Aloe vera is sold in various forms (with gel being the most common) and can be refined into multiple products. As a result, it is easier than ever to find an Aloe vera product to cleanse your eyelids gently. 

That said, you should take care to keep your eyes closed and rub it in gently when using it. Failing to do either could cause additional irritation or damage your eyes. Aside from that, the biggest challenge is finding an Aloe vera product that is viable and reliable.

Finding the Right Blend

Eyelid eczema is a more common problem than people realize, especially since most people believe eczema is a condition that is exclusively genetic. Unfortunately, eczema can be caused by several factors, and even our eyelids are not immune to the effects. Reducing the symptoms of eczema on our less sensitive body parts (i.e., arms and legs) allows us to use harsher resources. The problem is that our eyelids are particularly sensitive and require a gentler touch if we want to treat them without causing more damage. Aloe vera is a viable tool for that purpose, but the biggest problem is finding a product designed to apply it easily.

Teami Organic Makeup Remover Cloths

We at Teami believe that our planet's natural resources are ideal for improving our health and appearance. While we do not oppose the use of makeup, we are opposed to removal wipes and substances that might irritate your eyelids. Makeup is a leading cause of eyelid dermatitis, so we have created our Organic Makeup Remover Cloths (made with Aloe vera) to provide a safe method for removing your makeup and protecting you from eyelid eczema. We encourage you to visit our website and try our wipes firsthand. After all, finding the right blend is a Teami effort.