Sensitive skin can be a pain to deal with. No, honestly, not only do people with sensitive skin have to be extra cautious when it comes to choosing skin care and makeup products, but they also have to take care that they do not touch their skin as frequently, for fear of it breaking out. This cannot be an easy situation to deal with, right? One such allergic situation is when you have eczema on your face. As if having it anywhere else on the body wasn’t enough, phew!
Eczema on the face can happen to people at any age. It does not matter whether it’s a baby or an adult. It can also vary from mild to severe. Whatever the case, you should know how to deal with it. Recognising it in the early stages helps you cope and also prevents it from worsening. Of course, you should consult a specialist, but there are changes that you can bring about in your lifestyle as well to deal with eczema on your face.
In this article, we will talk all about the condition, what actually causes it, how you can cope with it and a lot more. To deal with any condition, it is important to understand it. Let’s start.
- Types of eczema
- What are the symptoms of eczema on the face?
- What are the causes of eczema on the face and anywhere else?
- What triggers eczema on the face?
- How to take care of the skin from eczema?
Types of eczema
Medically, three types of facial eczema are recognised. All three of them start with and are identified by the same itchy red rash that starts to appear on the affected parts of the skin. To start with any form of diagnosis and subsequent medication, it is important to know the exact type of eczema that you are suffering from.
1. Atopic dermatitis
This is the most common type so far. It mostly occurs on the cheeks and chin area and is common in infants. In adults, it is visible around the eyes and even lips. However, it is not limited to any body part and can happen anywhere.
2. Contact dermatitis
This one is again a common type of eczema and mostly happens around the hairline. It can also happen around the eyes and is of major occurrence in areas where you wear jewellery, like the earlobes or neck. Again, this type of eczema can happen anywhere on the body.
3. Seborrheic dermatitis
This one mostly happens on the edges of hair growth, such as on the hairline, eyebrows, around the ears, etc. It can even occur on the sides of the nose.
What are the symptoms of eczema on the face?
There are quite a few symptoms that define eczema. More or less similar, all of these entail redness and itching. Take a look at these to pinpoint the exact specific symptoms of eczema.
- Itching, from light to severe
- Redness and blotchiness on the affected area
- Blisters of varying sizes
- Rough skin
- Stinging sensation on the affected area
- Dry and flaky skin (in severe cases, it may turn yellow. That’s when you should consult a doctor)
- Swollen eyelids or unbearable inflammatory sensation
- Bleeding and cracking skin
These are some of the symptoms that you may witness or experience in the case of eczema. Naturally, when on the face, it is worse because it is not only clearly visible but also more painful and irritating owing to the delicate skin on the face.
Most of the time, eczema on the face is noticeable around the eyes or even in the skin around the eyelids. An indication of eczema around the eyes is when you have conditions such as conjunctivitis or even an inflamed cornea. Both these conditions entail watery and painful eyes, with some swelling. If it increases, it is advisable to go to a doctor. In fact, we would suggest you visit a doctor as soon as you start experiencing the symptoms. Early detection can lead to a quick diagnosis and efficient treatment.
What are the causes of eczema on the face and anywhere else?
To understand eczema deeper, it is important to know the causes, as to why it occurs in the first place. Of course, there may be many developments in the body, external pollutants, and even some allergens. But there are other reasons too. Here are some of the most common causes of eczema.
1. Genetics
If someone in your family has had a history of eczema, chances are it may have passed on to you because of genetics.
2. Allergens
Skin allergy is one of the most common reasons for eczema as well. Further, if you suffer from conditions such as asthma, you may be at a higher risk of getting the condition. Allergens irritate the skin and may result in itchy and visibly uncomfortable conditions, eczema being one.
3. Immunity issues
If you suffer from an autoimmune disorder, again, you are at a higher risk of getting eczema. However, this does not mean that people with higher immunity do not get it. Only the risk varies.
4. Geographical location
For some people, the geographical location may also define whether or not they are susceptible to getting eczema. Mostly, people who live in the Northern hemisphere are more prone to the condition. Also, people who live in metropolitan cities may get it, owing to a higher degree of pollutants present and an even more stressful lifestyle.
5. Age
Facial eczema is very common in infants and younger children. Again, it can happen to people of any age, just that children are more susceptible owing to the fact that young skin is more sensitive.
What triggers eczema on the face?
Eczema on the face or any other area can happen due to a variety of reasons, as we have already discussed. However, there are variously internal and external factors that are responsible for triggering the condition as well. Let’s take a closer look at those.
1. Environmental allergens
Our skin encounters various free radicals and chemicals on a daily basis. Most of the time, our skin is used to these factors. For instance, our cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, etc. Even cigarette smoke, pollution, etc., are included in these allergens. Chances are, that you may be allergic to one or more of these and it may cause eczema.
2. Food allergens
Certain people are allergic to certain foods. For instance, one of the most common food allergens is peanuts. As soon as the person consumes said food allergen, rashes or hives may break out. This may also take on the form of eczema.
3. Temperature
Heat, whether in the weather or in the form of a hot shower may also serve as an allergen for some people. Alternatively, for some people, cold weather may be a trigger, as lower temperatures may often bring dryness, which may trigger eczema.
4. Stress
One of the important triggers that many ignore is the stress factor. Many people break out into rashes or hives owing to stress and anxiety. This can also lead to eczema on the face or any other part of the body.
5. Hormones
Hormonal changes affect the skin. For some, it might mean too much oil on the skin, whereas for others it might be the total lack of it and dryness. This may lead to itchy and flaky skin and eventually eczema.
How to take care of the skin from eczema?
Once you suspect that you have suffered from something similar to the condition or eczema itself, it is better to seek medical intervention. There are various creams and concoctions available to treat the same. Apart from that, there are certain changes and precautions in lifestyle that can fix the condition.
- Use a gentle soap and sulphate-free cleanser on your face
- Drink lots and lots of water to ensure your skin does not become dry and dehydrated
- Use lukewarm water during your showers and while washing your face
- Do not forget to apply sunscreen before stepping out
- Use cosmetics that have hydrating ingredients such as shea butter and are free of fragrance, parabens and other such irritants
Privacy Notice
Written by Kadambari Srivastava on 14th Apr 2021
A finance professional by degree who jumped into the world of content creation 7 years ago, Kadambari is a pro at spinning words, whether it's beauty, business, entertainment, or anything else. Better separate your 'its' from 'it's' when she is around. When she isn't writing, she can be seen with a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other, keeping up with her book challenge of the year.