Eyelid dermatitis

Drug dermatitis of the eyelids can occur in two forms: acute and chronic.

Depending on the degree of preliminary sensitization, the skin lesion of the eyelids develops more or less quickly. In case of severe sensitization to a drug with high allergenic activity - penicillin, streptomycin, dicaine, etc., during the first 6 hours from the onset of the allergic reaction, increasing hyperemia and swelling of the skin of the eyelids occurs, often with vesicular and even bullous rashes. The skin is hot to the touch, dry, rough, and sometimes, on the contrary, weeping. Concomitant allergic conjunctivitis may develop, a sharp swelling of the conjunctiva leads to complete closure of the eye slit. Abundant secretion of a sticky transparent liquid causes maceration of the skin at the corners of the eye slit. Skin lesion of the eyelids is accompanied by pain in the throat, chills, general weakness, severe itching of the skin of the eyelids.

Allergic dermatitis associated with the use of any cosmetic products (makeup, nourishing lotions, creams, etc.) occurs in a similar way.

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Chronic drug dermatitis of the eyelids

Chronic drug dermatitis of the eyelids develops slowly and is protracted: the skin of the eyelids is slightly swollen and hyperemic at first, gradually thickens, becomes dry, wrinkled, with areas of eczematization, spotted, papular or papular-vesicular rashes. The period of clinical manifestations is preceded by numerous subjective complaints of patients about itching, stinging, burning in the eyes. The eyelid lesion is always symmetrical.

The disease dermatitis of the eyelids often develops when medicinal substances are introduced into the conjunctival sac or applied to the skin of the eyelids - when using ointments (erythromycin, streptocide, albucid, yellow mercury, tetracycline, etc.), as well as after electrophoresis. Localization of the lesion in some cases depends on the dosage form of the drug used. For example, ointments often cause diffuse lesions of the skin of the eyelids, while drops - angular dermatitis.

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Eczematous dermatitis of the skin of the eyelids

Eczematous dermatitis of the eyelids and blepharitis without conjunctival lesions are rarer forms of allergic reactions. They can develop with prolonged use of ointments with antibiotics and sulfanilamide preparations, antiviral agents, after several sessions of electrophoresis on the eyelids. Eyelid eczema can be both exogenous (maceration of the skin with tears, eversion of the eyelids, the effect of drugs) and endogenous (diathesis, gastrointestinal diseases, helminthic invasions, etc.), but an allergic component is mandatory in all cases.

In eczematous dermatitis, the skin of one upper or one lower eyelid or both eyelids of one eye may be affected. Typical symptoms of eyelid dermatitis are observed: hyperemia, edema, rashes of blisters on the eyelids, formation of pustules and crusts that burst, fall off and expose a wet surface; pain and excruciating itching are disturbing. Sometimes eyelid dermatitis begins with swelling and inflammation of the edges of the eyelids, but the scales and ulcerations that are observed in ordinary blepharitis are absent. Thus, eyelid skin lesions due to drug sensitization, as well as due to the use of drugs with various pharmacological effects, occur both with local treatment and with general therapy, are isolated in nature or are accompanied by a general reaction.

Treatment of eyelid dermatitis

• Stop taking the drug that you have developed an allergy to.
• Prescribe desensitizing drugs orally.
• Lubricate the skin of the eyelids with hydrocortisone ophthalmic ointment (outside the weeping surface).

Treatment of eczematous dermatitis of the eyelids

• At the beginning of eczema development - zinc paste.
• For weeping eczema - compresses of cold strong tea.
• After the surface has dried, lubricate with hydrocortisone cream (not ointment).
• Desensitizing agents and bowel cleansing are prescribed.
• No bandage needed.