Why do my eyelids itch and peel

In daily life, many people have experienced redness, swelling, itching, and peeling of their eyelids. Generally speaking, when the condition is mild and does not affect our daily life, we will choose to treat it with some ointments. When the symptoms do not improve and recur, people will go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment. So, what exactly causes our eyelids to itch and peel?

We divide this situation into 2 categories:

One type is acute onset, which occurs suddenly. This condition is generally an acute dermatitis caused by contact of the eyelids with external substances, which we call contact dermatitis. Common causes include using eye cream for the first time, applying makeup, or rubbing your eyelids after getting some chemicals on your hands. For general treatment, in principle, you should first stop using or stopping contact with the suspected allergen, and then wash away the remaining substances with clean water or saline. Generally speaking, the rash will gradually heal within a week after the allergen is removed. In severe cases, weak topical corticosteroids (such as hydrocortisone ointment) or tacrolimus ointment can be used. Since the eyelid skin is relatively thin and sensitive, there may be some irritation when using topical medications. You can start by applying a small amount and then apply it to the entire rash after you get used to it. It should also be emphasized that weak glucocorticoids can be used on the face for a short period of time, but they should not be used for too long, and it is best not to use them continuously for more than one week.

The other type is chronic or recurring. This situation is generally related to the patient's physical constitution, commonly known as allergic constitution. If the sufferer has been prone to rashes on the eyelids or other parts of the body since childhood, or if family members have similar conditions and have a history of asthma or rhinitis, then this condition is called atopic dermatitis.

In terms of treatment, if the attack is severe, you can use the same medication as for the first type of attack. At the same time, if the attack is severe or accompanied by rashes in other parts of the body, you should add oral anti-allergic drugs, such as loratadine, imidazole, cetirizine, etc. You can choose any one of them and take it orally for at least 3-5 days. However, treatment is not important. The most important thing is to prevent attacks. Usually, you should use moisturizers with simple ingredients to moisturize and prevent recurrence. There is also a recurring condition that is related to mental stress and mood, which we call neurodermatitis. The treatment for this condition during the attack phase is the same as that for the acute attack, but the most important thing is to reduce mental stress and relax.