Red dry skin under eyes: what to check

Under-eye skin can become rough and red after rubbing, poor tolerance of cosmetics, fragranced products, tears, or dry air. Atopic Dermatitis may cause an itchy recurring rash, while Asteatotic Eczema can cause marked dryness and fine scaling. Psoriasis is another possible inflammatory cause when scale persists or similar patches appear elsewhere. A clinician will consider whether the change is on the skin alone or accompanied by eye irritation, swelling, discharge, or altered vision.

Clean the area with lukewarm water and pat it dry. Avoid rubbing, scrubs, fragranced products, and eye makeup while the skin is inflamed. Apply a small amount of bland fragrance-free moisturiser to the skin below the eye, taking care not to get it into the eye. Emollient Therapy can help dry skin retain moisture, but a clinician should guide any medicated product used close to the eye. Replace old eye cosmetics and do not share them.

Seek urgent care if you have eye pain, blurred or changed vision, strong light sensitivity, substantial swelling, or trouble opening the eye. Prompt review is warranted for fever, pus, spreading warmth, or rapidly worsening redness. Book a dermatology appointment when the area does not improve, keeps recurring, or follows several products, because identifying the trigger can prevent repeated flares.

Does the distribution suggest Atopic Dermatitis, Asteatotic Eczema, or contact irritation? Which products can I safely use under the eye? Should my eyes be checked as well as the surrounding skin?