Allergies Skin Allergies Learn Some Common Causes of Irritating Eyelid Rashes Identifying and Treating Allergic or Autoimmune Causes By Daniel More, MD Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine. Learn about our editorial process Daniel More, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD on July 14, 2019 Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Casey Gallagher, MD Updated on January 04, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Contact Dermatitis Atopic Dermatitis Other Causes Treating Dermatitis Eyelid rashes are a common problem, especially in women, caused by everything from an allergic reaction to an autoimmune disease. The skin over the eyelids is extremely delicate and especially vulnerable to rashes and localized infections. The condition can be further exacerbated by cosmetics or facial cleansers used to remove makeup. There a number of conditions that can cause an eyelid rash. Exploring the possibilities can help you discover the source of your outbreak. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin Contact Dermatitis Contact dermatitis occurs when the body reacts to a substance placed on the skin. It is common in women who apply makeup to their eyes, many of which contain allergens such as formaldehyde or quaternium-15. Eye makeup with a green or blue color often contains nickel or cobalt, which are also common allergy triggers. Even certain applicators, such as those used for mascara, may contain nickel. And, it's not just makeup causing the problems. Certain chemicals used in shampoo, conditioners, hair dye, hairsprays, and other hair products can seep onto the skin and trigger a reaction. In fact, anything you touch can be transferred to the eyelids if you scratch or rub your eyes, including detergents, perfumes, metals, or food allergens. Contact dermatitis can affect the upper and/or lower lids on one or both sides of the face. The rash will usually be itchy, often with a dull burning sensation. The rash itself will be red and scaly and may cause the skin to become thick and leathery (referred to as lichenification). Contact Dermatitis: Overview and More Atopic Dermatitis Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a type of allergic skin reaction associated with asthma, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), and chronic dermatitis. Common allergens include tree pollens, mold spores, dust mites, and pet dander. While atopic dermatitis most often affects the flexural surfaces of the body (including the skin creases under the arms or behind the knees), it can sometimes develop on the eyelids alone. Persons with atopic dermatitis of the eyelids will usually have had the condition since childhood and may also have a long history of allergy or hay fever. Itchiness (pruritus) will typically accompany the red, scaly rash and will often be described as maddening. Due to the relentless scratching and rubbing, the skin of the eyelids will often look raw or visibly abraded. There may even be visible hair loss from the eyelashes or eyebrows. In addition to asthma and hay fever, food allergies are a common cause of atopic dermatitis of the face, lips, and eyes. Atopic Dermatitis: Overview and More Other Causes Seborrheic dermatitis, commonly associated with dandruff, mostly affects the scalp but can also cause dry, flaky patches on other oily parts of the body (such as the face, upper back, and chest). The cause is not entirely known, but it is believed to be the result of either a fungus, called Malassezia, found in skin oil or an autoimmune disorder. Other autoimmune diseases such as dermatomyositis and systemic lupus erythematosus can also cause an eyelid rash. These outbreaks can be differentiated from an allergy by their accompanying symptoms, such as weight loss, fever, fatigue, night sweats, muscle aches, and joint pains. Treating Dermatitis Contact or atopic dermatitis are both commonly treated with topical creams or ointments. Low-dose steroids are commonly used for short periods of time to treat eyelid dermatitis. A low potency, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, such as Cortaid, may be used but only be used under the supervision of a doctor and for no longer than 10 days. Two non-steroidal eczema creams, known as Elidel and Protopic, are safe on the eyelids and can be applied twice daily until the rash is fully resolved. Severe cases may require a low-dose, oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone, prescribed for no longer than one to three weeks to help relieve symptoms. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Guin JD. Eyelid dermatitis: experience in 203 cases. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;47(5):755-65. Oh JE, Lee HJ, Choi YW, Choi HY, Byun JY. Metal allergy in eyelid dermatitis and the evaluation of metal contents in eye shadows. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30(9):1518-21. doi:10.1111/jdv.13646 Knopp E, Watsky K. Eyelid dermatitis: contact allergy to 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine. Dermatitis. 2008;19(6):328-33. Bhat YJ, Zeerak S, Hassan I. Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Eye Drops. Indian J Dermatol. 2015;60(6):637. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.169161 Celakovská J, Josef B, Ettler K, Vaneckova J, Ettlerova K, Jan K. Sensitization to Fungi in Atopic Dermatitis Patients 14 Year and Older - Association with Other Atopic Diseases and Parameters. Indian J Dermatol. 2018;63(5):391-398. doi:10.4103/ijd.IJD_493_17 Thomsen SF. Atopic dermatitis: natural history, diagnosis, and treatment. ISRN Allergy. 2014;2014:354250. doi:10.1155/2014/354250 Kim GK. Seborrheic Dermatitis and Malassezia species: How Are They Related?. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2009;2(11):14-7. Papier A, Strowd LC. Atopic dermatitis: a review of topical nonsteroid therapy. Drugs Context. 2018;7:212521. doi:10.7573/dic.212521 Additional Reading Chisolm, S.; Couch, S.; and Custer, P. "Etiology and Management of Allergic Eyelid Dermatitis." Ophthal Plastic Recon Sur. 2017; 33(4):48-250. DOI: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000000723.