Rashes around the eyes can occur due to allergies or inflammation. The irritated skin around the eyes reacts to a trigger substance, leaving rashes all across the affected area. But certain remedies for eye rash treatment will help you get rid of the itching, stinging, or burning. However, if not treated on time, the skin around the eyes turns dry, red, and scaly. We have compiled a list of 12 remedies to help manage the symptoms and heal the rash. Read on to know more.
In This Article
Causes Of Rash Around The Eyes
Eye rashes can be due to various reasons. The most common ones are given below:
- Allergens or irritants in skincare or beauty products
- Ill-fitting contact lenses
- Unclean eye makeup
- Rubber from swimming goggles or snorkeling masks
- Bacterial infection
- Dermatitis or eczema
- Lyme disease
If you have developed a rash around your eye, try one of the remedies listed below to soothe the rash at home. But if the condition worsens, consult a doctor immediately.
How To Get Rid Of Rash Around Eyes
1. Essential Oils
Lavender oil soothes irritation and improves circulation in the affected area (1). Castor oil and coconut oil reduce inflammation and swelling in the affected area. These oils also nourish and hydrate the skin (2), (3).
You Will Need
- 1 drop lavender essential oil
- 1-2 drops coconut oil OR castor oil
What You Have To Do
- Mix the oils and apply the mixture on the rash carefully. Use a Q-tip if required.
- Leave this on for a few hours.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
Related: 15 Essential Oils For Skin Tightening And How To Apply Them
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known to reduce inflammation and irritation. It acts as an astringent when applied topically and helps regulate the skin’s pH. It also has antimicrobial properties (4), (5). These properties can help kill the bacteria causing the infection in the affected area if the rash develops due to an infection. However, there are limited scientific studies to prove that ACV can help treat rashes.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon water
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Mix the water with the vinegar to dilute it.
- Dip the cotton ball in this mixture and gently wipe the rash with it.
- Do not wash off the vinegar.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this 2 times a day.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known to have astringent properties. It soothes the rash and reduces inflammation (6).
You Will Need
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh aloe vera pulp
- Coldwater
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Mix aloe vera pulp with cold water.
- Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and place it on the affected eye for 5-10 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this 2-3 times daily.
4. Cucumber Slices
Cucumber is another soothing remedy for eye rashes. It cools and soothes inflamed skin (7). It also hydrates the skin and nourishes it. This can, in turn, speed up the healing process.
You Will Need
- Cucumber
- Coldwater
What You Have To Do
- Cut the cucumber into thick slices and soak them in cold water.
- Place these cold cucumber slices on your eyes.
- As soon as the slices become warm, discard them and place another couple of slices on your eyes for a few more minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
5. Chamomile
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and healing compounds that soothe rashes and inflammation around the eyes (8). It is safe to use around and on the eyes. You can also use it to wash your eyes.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers
- A cup of hot water
- Cotton pad
What You Have To Do
- Add the dried flowers to the hot water cup and steep the liquid for a few minutes.
- Let the solution cool down. Soak a cotton pad with it and place it on the affected area.
- Keep this on for 5-7 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1-2 times a day.
Related: 15 Amazing Benefits Of Chamomile Oil For Skin, Health And Hair
6. Cold Compress
This is the most soothing rash remedy of all as the coldness of the ice helps in reducing irritation caused by rashes. It also reduces redness and swelling (9).
You Will Need
An ice pack
What You Have To Do
- Gently place the ice pack on the affected skin.
- Apply very little pressure and hold it in place for 5-7 minutes.
You can also make an ice pack by wrapping a few ice cubes in a clean cotton towel.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
7. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel possesses astringent and anti-inflammatory properties (10). These properties can help in reducing swelling and soothing the rash.
You Will Need
- Witch hazel solution
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
Dip a cotton ball in the witch hazel and dab gently around the eyes.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this 2-3 times in a day.
Related: 24 Amazing Witch Hazel Benefits, How To Use, & Side Effects
8. Frozen Peas
Frozen peas or ice can help to reduce swelling by constricting blood flow in the local blood vessels (11).
You Will Need
- Frozen peas packet
- A soft towel
What You Have To Do
Wrap the frozen bag in a towel and place it on the eye for 10 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
9. Rose Water
Rosewater helps in soothing rashes around the eyes. It has been used traditionally as a toner that stimulates blood flow and heals rashes and scars (12). Scientific studies show that rose petal extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that may help fight rashes (13).
You Will Need
- Rosewater
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Soak the cotton ball in the rose water.
- Squeeze out the excess and place the cotton ball on the rash. It is best to use chilled rose water.
How Often You Should Do This
You can repeat this 2-3 times a day.
10. Potato
Potato has anti-inflammatory properties (14). These properties may help reduce pain and soothe irritation. The mild bleaching properties of potato can reduce dark circles (15).
You Will Need
Potato
What You Have To Do
Cut a thick slice of potato and place it on the rash for 10-15 minutes. You can prepare a poultice with grated potato instead of directly placing a slice on your eyes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a day.
11. Saline Solution
Saline solution (or artificial tears) helps to clean the eyes and is an ideal remedy when the rash is due to an eye infection. The solution will wash away impurities and pathogens from the eyes.
You Will Need
Saline solution (for eyes)
What You Have To Do
Pour 2-3 drops of the solution in the affected eye.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every morning and evening.
12. Humidifier
In case the rash is due to eczema, a humidifier will prove to be a life-saver for you (16). Dry weather conditions can aggravate eczema rashes. A humidifier helps in maintaining the moisture in the air. This will keep the skin more hydrated and reduce itching and irritation at the site of the eczema rash.
Stylecraze SaysGreen tea is believed to ease irritated skin. Place used green tea bags in the refrigerator for 10 minutes and then on the irritated skin around the eyes for a soothing effect.
Apart from these home remedies, it is necessary to follow simple hygienic routines to keep your eyes and the skin around them rash-free. Here are some prevention tips.
Related: Humidifiers For Skin: Types, Benefits, Working, Risks, & Uses
Prevention Tips
- The best thing you can do to avoid eye rashes is to maintain hygiene.
- Discard old eye makeup products, like eyeliners, mascara, and eyeshadow, past their expiry or ‘use by’ date.
- If you wear contact lenses, clean them thoroughly every day. Doctors recommend changing the solution used to clean the contact lenses every day.
- Apply skin moisturizer around the eyes with your ring finger (as it has the least pressure) every night before going to sleep.
- Before using any new makeup or skincare products, do a patch test on your hand. This will give you clarity about the suitability of the product for your skin. Do this without fail before using any product on your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.
- Stay away from areas with potential allergens, such as gardens, parks, and swimming pools.
Did You Know?Electronic screens create an electrostatic field that absorbs the surrounding dust and aggravates the rashes. Take a break from screens at least every 30 to 45 minutes.
Infographic: How To Soothe A Rash Around The Eyes: Top 6 Remedies
Eye rashes can be painful and frustrating to deal with. Thankfully, there are many remedies you can try to soothe and manage these rashes before they worsen. Among the 12 natural remedies mentioned, we’d like to stress on the most important ones that you should definitely be aware of.
Check out the below infographic to learn which are the top 6 remedies to soothe eye rashes.
Eye rashes are often a result of an allergic reaction or an inflammation and may present as itchy, irritated, dry, and red eyes. The rashes around the eyes may be triggered by allergens or irritants present in skincare or eye makeup products, swimming goggles, ill-fitting contacts, infections, or medical conditions like Lyme disease. Home remedies for eye rashes include the use of natural ingredients like essential and natural oils, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, cucumber, witch hazel, potato, rose water, ice packs, and saline water. Consult your opthalmologist if the rashes worsen or you experience severe symptoms.