Redness Around Eyes: 10 Causes and Treatment
February 3, 2025 ⢠8:26 PM
If you notice redness around your eyes, you might feel confused â and maybe a little concerned. Thatâs totally understandable. Anytime something is amiss with your eye health, itâs worth looking into the underlying causes and finding a quick solution.
Weâre here to help. Below, weâll cover 10 of the most common causes of redness around the eyes and the best treatments for each.
10 Causes of Redness Around Eyes
Redness around the eyes can have many different causes. Some are mild and not a cause for serious concern, but others call for a visit to the eye doctor right away.
Hereâs what you need to know about the causes of redness and irritation near your eyes:
1. Eczema
Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation and itchy, red patches. People with eczema often deal with these patches in many parts of their bodies, but the face and neck are some of the most often affected.
We donât know the exact causes of eczema, but genetics and environmental factors seem to play major roles. In addition, factors like stress and changes in the weather can make a personâs eczema flare up.
Eczema can cause redness around the eyes when a flare-up happens on a personâs face. Topical treatments like moisturizers and corticosteroids can be helpful, but avoiding the circumstances and substances that you know trigger your eczema is the best way to stay irritation-free.
2. Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a form of acute skin inflammation caused by a reaction to an irritant or allergen. Contact dermatitis can develop on any part of your skin, including around your eyes.
Unlike eczema, contact dermatitis usually looks like a collection of small, red, itchy blisters that resemble pimples. Harsh substances, including certain chemicals, can cause contact dermatitis, and so can allergens like poison ivy and even metals like nickel.
Speaking of nickel, contact dermatitis sometimes occurs around the eyes as a reaction to nickel in eyeglass frames. This isnât very common, but an allergic reaction to metal eyeglasses is possible for those with sensitive skin.
If youâre dealing with contact dermatitis, the best way to get relief is usually to use topical corticosteroids and leave the affected area alone as much as possible. In addition, if you think an allergen triggered the reaction, youâll need to steer clear of that substance to avoid future reactions.
3. Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a form of viral infection caused by the same virus that leads to chickenpox.
This condition causes painful blisters and rashes that can affect one part of a personâs body or face, including the area around the eye. Symptoms of shingles often set in slowly and start as tingling and sensitivity, transitioning into serious pain and redness over time.
People over the age of 50 are at a much greater risk of developing shingles than younger people. For this age group, antiviral medications can be helpful, as can vaccination.
If you think you have shingles, make sure to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Dealing with shingles early in its onset is the best way to get rid of the rash and avoid complications like postherpetic neuralgia â pain that lasts after the rash has gone away.
4. Rosacea
This chronic skin condition causes redness, visible blood vessels, and bumps on a personâs face. It usually shows up around a personâs cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin, along with the area around the eyes.
We donât know the exact cause of rosacea, but we do know that genetic and environmental factors play roles in its development. In addition, rosacea can flare up â often in response to triggers like stress, spicy food, alcohol consumption, or UV rays.
Thereâs no cure for rosacea, and it tends to be something that people deal with for life. However, avoiding triggers can be extremely helpful. This might look like adjusting your lifestyle to stay away from alcohol and spicy food, along with managing your stress through habits like exercise and meditation.
5. Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the eyelid. Its main symptoms are redness, swelling around the eyelid, and a burning, itchy sensation in the affected eye. Some people also experience flaking skin around their eyes and crusting around their eyelashes, especially when waking up in the morning.
This form of eye inflammation can be caused by a bacterial infection, which calls for an antibiotic for effective treatment. However, itâs also sometimes the result of clogged oil glands in the eyelids â often a side effect of conditions like rosacea.
If you have blepharitis due to a clogged oil gland, try home remedies like warm compresses and gently scrubbing your eyelids with a non-irritating cleanser. Steroid eye drops can help as well, but youâll need a prescription from your doctor.
6. Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a skin infection that is relatively common, but can be serious. It causes a red, swollen patch to appear and spread across a larger area over time.
This infection can develop on a personâs face, including around their eyes, but itâs most common on the calves and ankles. When it does form on the face, it can cause itchy eyes, eye pain, and redness.
A bacterial infection, cellulitis is often caused by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus bacteria. These bacteria can cause infections after an area gets cut or an ulcer develops. Sometimes, cellulitis also develops around a surgical wound.
Since cellulitis is an infection, it can cause symptoms like a fever and swollen lymph nodes in some cases, along with pain and swelling. If you notice these symptoms, visit your doctor right away to start an antibiotic.
Anyone can get cellulitis, but itâs most common for people with diabetes or autoimmune disorders. If you have one of these conditions, talk to your doctor about preventative steps that you can take to avoid cellulitis and other bacterial infections.
7. Chalazions
These small lumps form under the eyelid due to blocked oil glands. Theyâre similar to styes, but unlike this other type of eyelid bump, chalazions aren't usually caused by infections.
While they donât usually hurt, chalazions can cause symptoms like swelling, tenderness, and even blurred vision in more severe cases. Home remedies like warm compresses and resting the affected eye usually help, but some more persistent chalazions may need to be removed by an ophthalmologist through eye surgery.
If a chalazion forms under your eyelid and causes some redness, try getting relief with a warm compress. If that doesnât work after several days of trying, itâs time to give your eye doctor a call.
8. Dry Eyes
Dryness can make your eyes (and the skin around them) red, itchy, and irritated. In the digital era, dry eyes are a more common issue than ever thanks to our ever-present screens.
Looking at screens for too long can reduce the amount that you blink, irritating your eyes and drying them out. If this issue becomes chronic, you might notice some redness around your eyes, along with itchiness and overall discomfort.
If youâre dealing with chronic dry eyes, itâs worth visiting your eye doctor. In addition, you can form simple habits to combat eye strain and dryness, including staying hydrated, taking breaks from your digital devices, and â as silly as it might sound â remembering to blink.
If your dry eyes persist and continue to cause symptoms like redness and itching, itâs possible that something other than digital eye strain is the culprit.
9. Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions to dust mites, dander, pollen, and other common allergens can make your eyes itchy, puffy, and red. These allergens often cause seasonal issues for folks who react to them, but some people deal with perennial (year-round) allergies.
Whether your allergies are seasonal or perennial, finding a source of relief can help with your overall quality of life. You can try over-the-counter antihistamines, but visiting an allergist and discussing immunotherapy (a long-term treatment option for allergies) might be the best options.
10. Xanthelasma
This common condition is caused by small lipid deposits under the eyelids. Itâs harmless, but it can cause some discoloration around your eyes. Some people opt to have these deposits removed, but you should only do so based on personal preference â not for the sake of your health.
Get the Relief You Need
Redness around the eyes is a common problem with plenty of different causes. Thankfully, there are just as many treatments and solutions.
If your eye redness is chronic and persistent, make sure to visit your eye doctor and your primary healthcare provider for check-ups. Eye care is self-care, and itâs always smart to be proactive and look after your eyes. You wonât regret getting checked out and finding the relief you need.
Sources:
Eczema: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes, Types & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic
Computer vision syndrome | AOA