Dry and itchy under eyes: what to know

Dry, itchy skin under the eyes often reflects irritation or allergy and needs gentle care around the delicate eye area. Cosmetics, cleansers, rubbing, dry air and contact with allergens can disturb the skin barrier. The skin may feel tight, flaky, red or sore without the eyeball itself being affected.

Allergic conjunctivitis can cause itchy, watery or red eyes, while allergic rhinitis may add sneezing and a runny or blocked nose. House dust mite allergy and pet allergy can trigger symptoms after exposure. A reaction to a new cream, sunscreen, makeup or eye drop may affect the skin where it was applied. Itch affecting the eye surface, marked discharge or vision change deserves separate attention.

Pause new products near the eyes and wash the area with lukewarm water rather than scrubbing. Apply a bland, fragrance-free moisturiser to the surrounding skin, keeping it out of the eye. A cool clean compress may ease itching. Do not rub, share towels or use someone else’s eye drops. A pharmacist can advise about Allergy Medication if allergy symptoms are present and can check that a product is appropriate for you.

Seek urgent help for sudden eyelid or facial swelling with breathing difficulty, or for severe eye pain, light sensitivity, injury or a sudden change in vision. Arrange an appointment if there is pus-like discharge, worsening redness, crusting, skin cracking, one-sided persistent symptoms or no improvement after removing a suspected trigger. Avoid steroid creams around the eyes unless prescribed.

Could this be eyelid dermatitis, allergy or an eye-surface problem? Which products should I stop? Is Allergy Medication appropriate, and should my eyes be examined?