Top 10 Homeopathic Medicines For Eyelid Dermatitis And Its Causes

Eyelid dermatitis refers to a condition in which there is dryness, itching, swelling and irritation on the skin of the eyelids. It is also known as eyelid eczema, periocular dermatitis or periorbital dermatitis. The skin over the eyelids is very thin, delicate and sensitive and can be easily affected by allergens and irritants leading to dermatitis.

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathy is very effective in managing cases of eyelid dermatitis. Homeopathic medicines help in halting further progression of the condition and healing the rash gradually. The medicines help to reduce redness, dryness and scaling on the eyelid. They also manage other associated problems like irritation, itching, burning, stinging and swelling of the eyelid. The most suitable medicine for managing this condition is selected based on the signs and symptoms in every individual case. Homeopathic medicines used for managing this condition are prepared from naturally occurring substances. So these are very safe to use for all age groups.

Top Homeopathic Medicines For Eyelid Dermatitis

1. Graphites – Top-grade Medicine

It is one of the best medicines in homeopathy to treat cases of eyelid dermatitis. It is indicated when there are moist eruptions and eyelids are red. Rough and dry eyelids with marked itching also indicate its use. Heated sensation may be felt on the lids. Sometimes swelling is also there, especially on the edges. There is scaling on the eyelid margin which sometimes develops into crusts. Besides, there may be fissures on the eyelids.

2. Sulphur – When Itching, Burning Attends

This medicine is recommended for eyelid dermatitis when itching and burning sensation attend. The lids are dry, red and swollen. Smarting pain accompanies; prickling sensation may also occur that leads to rubbing and scratching. Cutting type of pain may be felt on the margins of the eyelids.

3. Petroleum – For Dry Eyelids

It is the next very useful medicine for managing cases of eczema on various body parts, including eyelids. It gives good results in cases presented with dryness of eyelids, accompanied by itching.

4. Apis Mellifica – For Marked Redness And Swelling Of Lids

It is a prominent medicine for managing marked redness and swelling of the eyelids. There is smarting and burning pain, itching is also felt on the lids. The lids are inflamed and sore. In some cases,  the left side eyelids become thick. Other than this, there may occur scabs on the margin of lids.

5. Mezereum – For Lid Eczema With Thick Hard Scabs

It is prepared from fresh bark (gathered just before flowering in February and March) of the plant Daphne Mezereum, also known as ‘spurge olive’ of Thymelaceae family. It is indicated for cases having lid eczema with thick hard scabs. A gluey discharge may arise from the eruptions. Itching and biting pain on the lid margins may be felt.

6. Bryonia – For Dry Eruptions On Lids

This medicine is prepared from the root of the plant Bryonia Alba commonly known as ‘wild hops’. This plant belongs to family Cucurbitaceae. It is highly beneficial when there are dry eruptions on the lids, attended with itching and burning mainly on the margins. Inflammation and redness on the eyelids may accompany.

7. Euphrasia – For Red And Dry Eyelid Margins

It is prepared from a plant Euphrasia Officinalis, commonly called ‘eye-bright’. This plant belongs to family Scrophulariaceae. Persons needing it have redness and dryness on the margins of eyelids, along with swelling. Burning sensation is felt on the margins of eyelids which may be red and sensitive to touch. There may be marked itching along with above signs and symptoms.

8. Rhus Tox – For Red, Itchy Lids

This medicine is useful for cases having excessively red and itchy eyelids. A biting sensation is felt on the lids along with the above symptoms.

9. Tellurium – For Lid Eczema With Inflamed, Thickened Lids

It is an important medicine for persons who have inflamed red eyelids. Itching, sometimes accompanied by oozing, is also a symptom.

10. Hepar Sulph – For Eczema With Thick Scabs

This medicine works well in cases with thick scabs on the eyelids. Inflammation, redness and swelling are marked on the upper eyelid. A pressing type of pain attends along with soreness.

11. Medorrhinum – For Irritation, And Pain In Eyelids

This medicine is indicated when there is irritation and pain in eyelids. There is redness and dryness of lids, the upper lids may be swollen. There may also occur soreness and smarting sensation on the edges of eyelids.

12. Kali Sulph – For Crusts On Eyelids

This medicine is valuable for managing cases having crusts on the eyelids. The crusts are thin and yellow. It is a very useful medicine for cases of seborrheic dermatitis.

13. Clematis – For Marked Inflammation Of Eyelid Margins

It is prepared from leaves and stems of the plant Clematis Erecta. It belongs to family Ranunculaceae. It is beneficial when there is inflammation on the margins of the eyelids. Persons who require it have a smarting and burning sensation on the margins of lids.

14. Kreosote – To Manage Itching On Eyelid Edges

This medicine is indicated for managing itching on the edges of eyelids. In some cases needing it, there is swelling of eyelids, along with pinching pain on the edges of eyelids.

What Are Its Types And Causes?

It has main two types – allergic/ atopic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.

1. Atopic Contact Dermatitis

This medical condition results from an allergic reaction. The immune system overreacts to an allergen resulting in antibody (IgE) production. These antibodies trigger a reaction leading to skin inflammation and other signs and symptoms of allergy. For example, a person having nasal allergy from allergens like pollen may get this type of dermatitis. Allergic reaction may also occur from applying a cosmetic product.

2. Irritant Contact Dermatitis

It arises when some irritating substance comes in direct contact with the skin around the eyelids and causes damage to the outer layer of the skin. Some examples of such substances are soaps, cosmetics used around eyes (like eye liner, eye shadow) and acidic substance. Anyone may suffer from this type of dermatitis, but it is common in people having sensitive skin.

Other than the above, it can be a part of atopic dermatitis. It is a skin condition characterized by skin inflammation along with red, itchy and dry skin. Swelling and cracks may also appear on the skin. It is common in children but may affect people of any age group.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition marked by skin inflammation and flakiness. It usually affects the scalp but may also affect other areas of the body like face, eyelids, eyebrows and the chest.

Another condition that can be associated with eyelid dermatitis is acne rosacea. It is a skin condition that affects the face. It leads to redness on the face along with dilated superficial blood vessels on the face which are visible. It can be attended with pimples, or pus-filled pustular eruptions and swelling.

What Are Its Signs And Symptoms?

Firstly there may occur a red rash, dryness or scaliness on the eyelid, itching may be felt. Pain and swelling may accompany burning and stinging sensation.  The skin of the eyelid may get thickened. The signs and symptoms can appear on one or both eyelids.  The symptoms may occur intermittently or may be persistent, long-lasting and chronic. In some cases, dermatitis is present only on the eyelids but in some, it occurs simultaneously on other body parts as well.

What Are Its Risk Factors?

Persons who don’t maintain proper hygiene of the eyes are prone to it. Persons with a family history of eyelid dermatitis are at risk. Other than this, persons having some allergic condition like nasal allergy, asthma, etc may face this medical condition. The use of certain medicines like beta blockers may also result in eyelid dermatitis. Lastly, people in some specific work like construction work, agriculture are at higher risk.

What Complications Can Occur?

There are some complications that can arise from eyelid dermatitis. It can cause infection of the skin which arises from scratching the eyelids. Infection can enter the eyes through frequent eye rubbing. Other than this, the affected skin may get discolored and thick.