How to get rid of dry skin on and around eyelids

The skin around the eyelids is unique, with little fat coating compared to that on other parts of the body and dry eyelids are a growing bother.

Mostly, blood moves through vessels around the eye as eyelids and surrounding areas are vascular.

The eyelids can be swollen, scaly, or appear red and be itchy with a burning sensation.

Luckily, a new product in the market to help alleviate common eyelid problems is Hypochlorous acid (HOCl).

Read on to know more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of dry eyelids using HOCL.

Is Hypochlorous acid safe for eyelids?

History in the medical field states that HOCL was first pinpointed by Antoine Jerome Ballard and used after that as wound care and treatment for infections in World War I.

The immune system naturally produces pure HOCL by white blood cells to respond to bodily pathogens during oxidation bursts.

It is known that putting acid in or near the human eye is damaging. However, HOCL is produced by the body to fight infections.

Neutrophils produce HOCL to help destroy bacteria, viruses, spores, and fungi that may affect the eye.

When exposed to air, this all-natural antimicrobial agent neutralizes very fast, making it mild on the eyes and with many advantages compared to other disinfectants.

It has the same active ingredients as household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) but with a different chemical structure.

At a 1%-5% concentration range, bleach will cause chemical burns to the eye in case of direct contact, but HOCL has lower concentrations with no risks.

Below are added advantages of HOCL:

• Highly effective in eradicating microorganisms, reducing inflammation, enhancing the body's healing process, and fighting infections
• Safe for daily usage as it is not toxic to the eye and is unlikely to result in skin irritations
• Provides relief from red, itchy, or dry eyelids and hordela

The eyelid skin has harmless and beneficial bacteria, fungi, and viruses, but an overgrowth in the eyes or tissues that are usually absent can lead to diseases.

Bacteria on healthy eyelids include:

• Coryneform bacteria
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Propionibacterium acnes
• Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species

If you suspect critical eyelid-health conditions, contact your doctor immediately. They will conduct a physical eye examination to diagnose the problem.

The symptoms for dry eyelid skin vary from mild to severe and are:

• Flaking surface
• Redness or discoloration, irritation, and rawness
• A rough texture that feels tighter than normal
• Itching and peeling
• Harsh, dry skin around the eyes
• Painful burning or stinging
• Wrinkly and loose appearance
• Patches of scaly skin as it becomes dehydrated
• Cracked skin, which can be vulnerable to bacteria and infections
• The area around the eyes is more prone to irritation and may be very itchy

What causes dryness around the eyelids?

Various reasons result in dry eyelid skin, with some (underlying conditions) requiring more medical care than others.

They include:

Hot and cold dry air damages the skin's barrier function and makes it lose moisture in the top layers causing it to dry out.

Seasonal changes such as summer or spring may result in higher pollen count, and cold weather in winter causes dry, flaky skin around the eyes.

Faces are mostly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun than other parts of the body.

The risks of drying and flaking are significant in conjunction with the fact that the skin around the eyelids is sensitive and thin.

Additionally, long showers or baths and hot water may reduce skin oils that help retain moisture causing dry eyelids.

Aging reduces fat or oil and sweat glands in the top layers of the skin, hindering the skin's ability to retain moisture.

The eyelid skin starts wrinkling and cracking, causing it to be fragile and progressively become flaky, dry, and itchy.

Too much sun exposure or smoking are factors that increase the aging process, so avoid these when you can.

Contact dermatitis

When the eyelid skin encounters an irritating substance or an allergy, it may trigger a reaction that leads to red, itchy, or dry skin around the eyelids.

These irritating substances can include:

• Chlorine from swimming pools
• Hair products (shampoo, styling products, and conditioner)
• Makeup and sunscreen
• Eyelash curlers or tweezers
• Soaps and detergents
• Sunscreen
• Skincare or face washes
• Wind or dust

Contact dermatitis can be spread unknowingly by touching the eyelid after being in contact with an irritating substance or accidentally brushing something with an irritant against the eyelid.

Allergies may also cause this condition, so keep known triggers away from your eyelids.

This condition happens at all ages but is prone to children and people with hay fever, asthma, or allergies. It is long-lasting, resulting in red, flaky, itchy eyelid skin.

It is associated with environmental factors, the immune system, and family history with distinct symptoms to contact dermatitis, promoting accurate diagnosis by a doctor.

Eczema is chronic, happening in flares with the skin returning to normal between episodes throughout a person's life.

This condition mainly affects the edge of eyelids and is of two types; anterior blepharitis (affecting eyelashes from their roots) and posterior blepharitis (affecting the eyelid).

Small oil glands at the bottom of the eyelashes clog up, making both eyelids inflamed, crusty, red, itchy, and dry.

A specific cause of blepharitis is unclear, but it accompanies conditions such as:

• Rosacea
• Dry Eye
• Allergies
• Mites
• Dandruff
• Infections

How to get rid of dry patches on eyelids

The best treatment for dry eyelids depends on the cause of dryness, and your doctor is of great help to get it under control.

Contact dermatitis: It is best to find out about your triggers, how to avoid them, and keep your hands from your eyelids unless they are clean.

Antihistamines, prescription topical corticosteroids, moisturizers, or over-the-counter medications work to keep down inflammation.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): Use moisturizers often while avoiding triggers. The doctor may sometimes prescribe steroid creams to reduce the itching or antibiotic creams and ointments for infections.

Doctors can also give prescribed topical corticosteroids for this condition.

Blepharitis: Practice good hygiene, ensuring to remove crusts from the eyes. Gentle eyelid scrubs and warm compresses help attain relief.

Doctors may also approve steroid eye drops and antibiotics for inflammation and infection.

Depending on the condition, several over-the-counter and prescription medications treat dry eyelids.

Treatment using Hypochlorous acid (HOCL)

After one application, 0.01% of HOCL has proved to eliminate eyelid bacteria by 90%, leaving the rest beneficial to prevent the overgrowth of pathological bacteria on the eyelids.

Although many bacterias are reduced, various bacterial species for healthy eyelids exist. Bacteria repopulate quickly, so it is essential to use HOCL several times a day.

HOCL is used on patients with itchy or red eyelids to provide relief from styes, blepharitis, dry eyes, and meibomian gland dysfunction.

PurClarity Pristine Lid and Lash Cleanser with HOCL spray have, over time, emerged to be the perfect treatment for dry eyes.

Pristine has hypoallergenic properties, is 100% natural ingredients, is 100% vegan, and is excellent for supporting healthy eyelids and sensitive skin.

Additionally, it is fragrance, alcohol, and preservative free.

It is sprayed on closed eyes (wait for 10 mins), and for better results, use a lid scrub designed for the eyes to get rid of dead bacteria and any makeup on the eyelids or eyelashes.

Its benefits are listed below:

• Pristine helps soothe dry eyes, cleanse debris from eyelids and eyelashes while reducing itchiness and irritation
• It helps relieve eye conditions like dry, red, or itchy eyelids and reduces contact lens inflammation and intolerances.
• Pristineharnesse the power of HOCL to alleviate symptoms of gland and eye problems
• It is excellent for use on sensitive skin

How do you get rid of dry eyes naturally?

Causes of dry eyelids can best be managed at home and may clear up with minor lifestyle changes.

• Apply a moisturizer a couple of times a day, mainly after bathing
• Avoiding prolonged sun exposure and tanning beds
• Washing with gentle cleansers and using skin products for sensitive skin
• Avoid touching your eyes and eyelids with your fingers
• Add moisture to your environment using a humidifier inside your home.
• Take shorter showers or baths (about 5 mins), and use warm rather than hot water.
• Maintain a healthy diet of vegetables, antioxidant-rich foods, and fruits
• Ensure that you drink enough water, especially for the elderly, as they are more prone to dehydration.
• Ask your doctor about hay fever medications such as antihistamines if a reaction to pollen is causing dry skin around your eyes.

Ensure to speak to a doctor or dermatologist for treatment options if these remedies do not ease the symptoms.

Why you shouldn't use Vaseline on your dry eyelids

Vaseline is a famous brand name of petroleum jelly of easily spread wax and minerals mixture.

It has a smooth and filmy consistency, safe to use on the skin, unlike other moisturizers.

However, petroleum jelly is not a moisturizer like most serums or lotions. Instead, it forms a moisture barrier.

This means it prevents moisture from leaving and getting through to eyelids. It is mostly safe when used properly but can pose some risks like all other skin treatments.

These risks include:

• Unrefined form of petroleum jelly may have toxic chemicals like carcinogens
• It is not safe when inhaled as prolonged inhaling can result in a rare pneumonia type
• Creams and treatments may not penetrate the eyelid because of the barrier causing temporary blurred vision
• Vaseline can be troublesome during application on eyelids and may cause rubbing of the sensitive skin around the area
• It is not a moisturizer on its own and may hydrate eyelid skin
• The absorption rate of Vaseline by the top layer of the skin is low, and it leaves a layer
• It has no known ingredients to help with wrinkles and fine lines

Final thoughts

When the upper layer of the skin doesn't retain enough moisture, dry eyelids may result.

Dry eyelids have many possible causes, which can successfully be treated at home by moisturizers, HOCL sprays, or baths with warm water.

If the symptoms persist, talk to your doctor.

They may prescribe medications like HOCL sprays and corticosteroid creams to help tone down the symptoms.